Under the Stars
by kwiktor

Comment:
a little over photshopped. Too purple and not enough sepia

Joints of Steel
by mgsmith53

Comment:
very nice. I enjoy the monochromatic and clean look of the picture.

h a t e - unchecked
by SherwinJames

Comment:

Originally posted by Dr. Jeuss: I thank you all for the excellent comments that I received on this photo, as well as the great rating. When this challenge was first announced, this image immediately came to mind (which is, in a way, unfortunate). I had some reservations about submitting this photo, but in the end I decided to go with it (mainly because I reminded myself of why I am taking a photo in the first place). Not to get too drawn out here, but to me photography serves three main purposes: 1. To present the photographer's view point of a subject or the impact of a subject. 2. To stir some emotion or feeling in an audience. 3. To enjoy the process of taking and preparing a photo. For these three reasons, I submitted this shot. If this shot offended/offends anyone, then I apoligize for that. I am glad that this shot has had an impact, however small. Thanks Again.

I would like to assure you that I am not offended. I would also like to point out that whether or not I was offended matters little. Although only the government is bound to support freedom of speech (private organizations can censure all day long)I believe we have a culture that recognizes this right. However a problem exist when people are afraid to offend and are reprimanded for stating what offends others. Just to reiterate, we enjoy freedom of speech because no one has the right not to be offended.
I've been enjoying the photographs of DPChallenge for a number of years and greatly appreciate the work so many of you share. However, I am surprised and disappointed by the lack of conversation about the photos themselves. Some of the imagery is very strong and most responses are limited to "great job". Edentated comments ignored the potential lessons we can gain. I think too many people feel they are "closed minded" if they don't automatically accept the perception of the world that the artist offers. I respect others opportunity to express themselves, but I don't want spoon fed ideas. I should have the courage and duty to strive for intellectual honesty and provide the artist with feedback. Hopefully, we'll both learn something new.

h a t e - unchecked
by SherwinJames

Comment:

Originally posted by Elvis_L: Originally posted by organic: I think the message was a little contrived, but then again I don't understand why we associate hanging with racism. Hanging is a method of execution that has wrung the neck of every race. Granted, I'm the one who is mentioning racism at this point, but I think traditionally the symbolism is there to support my conjecture. For all I know there could be a black executioner, but without other symbols in the picture I believe the imagery for the average American represents racism. If the message is racism, I don't think this extreme form of it is relevant today. Currently, I believe racism is multi-directional and is expressed in other forms than lynchings and hangings(a tab cliche). However, if it is a message about the evils of murder, then it is an effective photograph. Murder is wrong and the subject express adequate sadness is their expression. Good Job! I don't know where you live but as someone who has lived in the south my whole life that this is not cliche. btw in the background is a KKK person.

I too have lived in the south all of my life (excluding the few years I lived in Japan, where I was often kicked out stores for not being Asian). The suggestion that only "The South" has racism is cliche in itself. Racism is not bound by a geographical location. It's an innate reaction in everyone to fear the unknown and attempt to harness it. That being said, I recognize that history shouldn't be forgotten and we need to preserve our cultural lessons to enhance our humanity. However, lynchings are not common practice today, which is why I question the relevance of the message. Without doing any research, I'm willing to bet the number of same race assaults far out weigh assaults involving 2 or more races. I live in Atlanta where we enjoy a diverse population consisting of more than just black and white. By limiting our focus on past events we avoid making difficult analyses on our future challenges ( I suspect we do this due to the clarity of hind sight. Why present untested solutions for current and future problems when a person can always be correct and look only at the past).
What I do think is great about the photograph is that it has spurred a debate. Dialogue creates the opportunity for an exchange of ideas and it is with this exchange that we have the opportunity to increase our wisdom. Kudos to the artist for his impact on the forum!

h a t e - unchecked
by SherwinJames

Comment:
I think the message was a little contrived, but then again I don't understand why we associate hanging with racism. Hanging is a method of execution that has wrung the neck of every race. Granted, I'm the one who is mentioning racism at this point, but I think traditionally the symbolism is there to support my conjecture. For all I know there could be a black executioner, but without other symbols in the picture I believe the imagery for the average American represents racism. If the message is racism, I don't think this extreme form of it is relevant today. Currently, I believe racism is multi-directional and is expressed in other forms than lynchings and hangings(a tab cliche). However, if it is a message about the evils of murder, then it is an effective photograph. Murder is wrong and the subject express adequate sadness is their expression. Good Job!