Carl from Washington

Discussion Open - 10 Comments

1. ASH063 on 5/1/08

   I really liked the message this critique delivered ... the whole concept of freeing ourselves to explore new directions, letting go of our boundaries, even if just temporarily, to see what we might discover about ourselves and our work is so important to growth.

   When we approach this concept as exploration we might discover new ways to express ourselves creatively. But we also might simply re-confirm that our original creative boundaries suit us better. It's not like going down a new path necessarily prevents us from returning to the path we were already on.

   I find that the more I explore other possibilities, the more certain I become about my own preferences and choices. And I also find that I am more open to appreciate the work of others, even when their views don't align with my own views.

   In today's image, I liked the effect of blowing out the window ... for me that makes a great photo. And very different, but equally as valid, was the final version you demonstrated. I enjoyed being able to appreciate both.
2. IShowSlides on 5/1/08

   This critique was a continuation of the theme of Craig’s DQ of April 21. I commented about restrictions sometimes placed by camera clubs on competition entries. I have come to agree with Craig’s soapbox message on this critique and I would like to extend his thoughts to those who enter their photography in contests.

   Richard Martin wrote an article in the January 2007 Photo Life about the negative consequences that conformity places on a photographer’s creative freedom. Martin says that when you are so determined to please others because of group pressure or to meet predetermined standards, personal expression gets lost and opportunity for breakthroughs is lost. This is particularly true when competition becomes the sole means of validating talent. Not winning becomes thought of as failure and fear of making a mistake becomes a creative block. This requires a change of mindset.

   Martin goes on to explain, ‘There is a fundamental difference between the idea of seeking success and the actual pursuit of excellence.’ Distinguish success as ‘being the best’ while excellence is ‘being your best’. Success to many is ‘being better than everyone else.’ By comparison, excellence means ‘being better tomorrow than you were yesterday’. Extending that idea, success means ‘exceeding the achievements of others people’, while excellence means ‘matching your practice with your potential’. The antonym of success is ‘failure’, whereas the antonym of excellence is ‘mediocrity’.

   Competition is an opportunity to share your craft and receive feedback; however competition should not be allowed to overcome self-esteem and the pursuit of excellence. As Martin concludes, ‘Excellence should not be a quest for superiority nor should it be about competition or defeating others.’

   I thought I would share some thoughts from this article. I don’t believe it would have been so significant to me without the examples on the RV DQ. Thank you Craig for stimulating our creativity and giving us reasons to feel good about taking our photography to the next step.

   By the way, the outcome of the contest rules I described in my comments to the April 21 DQ was to make them guidelines for allowable adjustments but not to be the only adjustments allowed. We try to avoid using the term ‘manipulation’ because of the negative implications and use ‘adjustments’ or ‘post-processing’ instead.

   Ken Johnson
3. pranayama on 5/2/08

   First off, I just want to give a big thanks to Craig for putting this thing on. I go to the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara and there are a few of us who are hip to the critique. We love to listen to you. You're like Yoda to us!

   I have learned so much about color and composition from listening to your critiques. I made a CD for one of my teachers.

   Best,

   Joseph
4. craigtanner on 5/3/08

   Hi Al, Ken, and Joseph,

   Thank you all for being here and thank you for the kind words of support. Lots of great points Al and Ken!!!

   And Joseph, A big fan of Star Wars and Yoda, I am. Be compared to Yoda, I never thought I would be. Yesssssssss! Scary it is! I will let it go to my head not! herh, herh, herh..... But dead on, he is...when says he..... do or do not....there is no try!!!!!! and “named must your fear be before banish it you can.” and “[Luke:] I can’t believe it. [Yoda:] That is why you fail.” and “Luke: What's in there? Yoda: Only what you take with you.” and “......may the Force be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!”.....In all seriousness Joseph I am glad to hear the critiques have been helpful and your support is deeply appreciated.....Have a great night...erh... morning everybody.....Craig

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5. pax85 on 5/5/08

   Both version deliver two different kind of moods. Craig's is energetic and hip. Although I found the radial blur a little bit too obtrusive. I'd like more subtile.

   Carl's version is more calm and relaxing, but I like it as well.
6. adamei on 5/11/08

   Interesting soapbox talk, Craig. I think for most artists of merit, in whatever medium, there's a tension or a struggle between really understanding and working within the constraints of the medium and blowing them away. Before you can break the rules, however, I think it makes sense to master them. That's the position you're in: having mastered the view camera and the wet darkroom, understanding the rules of composition, color, light, optics, etc., you're in a great position to break those rules meaningfully in the digital darkroom. However, for someone who hasn't yet learned the fundamentals, the absolute freedom of digital photography can actually be paralyzing - what do I do first? Why?

   This is not an argument for forcing everyone to learn how to load film onto developing reels in a darkened bathroom before they're allowed to touch PS; merely a recognition that one needs some structure, some grounding in the fundamentals before one can creatively take advantage of digital's new found freedom.
7. craigtanner on 5/12/08

   Hi Adam,

   Great comments...... thank you for being here!!!....Craig
8. cwell on 5/12/08

   Craig, Thanks very much for your inspiring thoughts about and around this image. Colin
9. carlwarren on 6/8/08

   wow! I didn't even know that this image was critiqued! thanks for the input everyone just added the rss to my Google reader and saw carl from wa lol

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Carl from California

Dave from Minnesota