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10/13/2010 06:00:48 AM · #1 |
Am I the only one who sees cliche photography ... everywhere? I see shots in challenges that are so completely un-original and copied, placing high, while unique shots often get buried. I wont give examples, I dont need to.
I go to street fairs and art shows, and I bet with my wife how many photos of Reflection Lake will be on display as the photographer's masterpiece, or the Gran Tieton from that well too familiar spot, or X waterfall, X cityscape, etc etc. Original photographers are few and far between in places like these. They are usually old photographers who are still shooting their Hasselblads on 30lb tripods out backpacking on Mt Torment. I have a lot of respect for them, like Lee Mann and Jim Dockery.
Yet it seems that the people could care less. the best copycat wins it all, sells the prints, and gets the praise. I just see it amplified here. I would expect more from the voters here.
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10/13/2010 06:06:29 AM · #2 |
Just understand that it's going to be that way, so get over it, and enjoy the "Posthumous Award" thread which rewards unusual and extra creative photos.
Posthumous Ribbons Thread
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10/13/2010 09:57:49 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by n16ht5:
I would expect more from the voters here. |
Well there's yer problem, right there. :P |
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10/13/2010 10:12:53 AM · #4 |
They are cliche shots for a reason. Lots of people like them, or at least don't hate them. The more artsy original stuff is less likely to gain mass appeal. I'll repeat what I have said before: You MUST look at more than the average score to decide if your entry was successful. Look at the voting breakdown, comments, commenters average and if it got any faves. That will tell you if you nailed it.
Two of my recent freestudy entries are excellent examples. They were mid-pack placements in the 5's, but they hit EXACTLY the target audience I was after, and I am encouraged to continue to enter shots like these. (I'll also continue to enter my share of cliches)
 
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10/13/2010 10:15:14 AM · #5 |
Perhaps the innovation today is in the details. Are you looking at the details here? Or are you just dismissing these as all the same?
It's very interesting - take 100 people with cameras in the same place, same time, and you'll get 100 different results - now why shouldn't photographers attempt the same subjects?
Nuance is everything in these type of shots. |
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10/13/2010 10:23:09 AM · #6 |
| The smartalec in me couldn't help but think that there have been so many threads on this topic in the past, that this thread itself is a cliche :) |
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10/13/2010 10:26:36 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by alanfreed:
The smartalec in me couldn't help but think that there have been so many threads on this topic in the past, that this thread itself is a cliche :) |
Well, it's true that dead horses are a cliche around here.
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10/13/2010 10:41:22 AM · #8 |
Maybe we need another checkbox on the pictures so we can flag images for either/both nudity and cliché-ness ... people can opt out of seeing them at all -- think how fast the site will load with only 17 pictures to display!!!
As  Yo_Spiff well-knows, I try to use clichés rarely, which has served to keep my average securely in the mid-4's ...
Message edited by author 2010-10-13 14:45:35. |
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10/13/2010 08:54:11 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by alanfreed:
The smartalec in me couldn't help but think that there have been so many threads on this topic in the past, that this thread itself is a cliche :) |
Well, it's true that dead horses are a cliche around here. |
awh cripes youre right!
Spiff - Im not talking about my photos, I expected the scores I got. |
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10/14/2010 04:05:59 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by n16ht5:
Am I the only one who sees cliche photography ... everywhere? I see shots in challenges that are so completely un-original and copied, placing high, while unique shots often get buried. I wont give examples, I dont need to. |
One would wonder that if you feel this way, what is it you're looking for, and how would you propose to rectify this situation? This certainly isn't an original complaint, and despite your stating no need to cite examples, perhaps you would. Pop up some thumbnails of these unique shots you speak of, and tell us why, and what it is about them that works for you.
Originally posted by n16ht5:
I go to street fairs and art shows, and I bet with my wife how many photos of Reflection Lake will be on display as the photographer's masterpiece, or the Gran Tieton from that well too familiar spot, or X waterfall, X cityscape, etc etc. |
Well......you're also talking about venues where the intent is to make sales. How much avant-garde work hangs on walls in Suburbia, USA? There are places that still sell poker-playing dogs on black velvet. Perhaps you should define what it is you're looking for, and seek it out. There are a bazillion DSLRs out there in the hands of Joe Everyman, and websites such as this for the most part are populated by people seeking to learn. You have to learn the basics, and do a certain amount of standard work 'til you find your own niche and develop from there. Not to mention the old adage about there being nothing new under the sun, but might you have some ideas as to how a regular guy like me could be more original? Of course, if you have to tell me, then it's no longer original, is it?
Originally posted by n16ht5:
Original photographers are few and far between in places like these. They are usually old photographers who are still shooting their Hasselblads on 30lb tripods out backpacking on Mt Torment. I have a lot of respect for them, like Lee Mann and Jim Dockery. |
Unless you have some specific links to some incredibly unique shots from these two, a Google search and some quick browsing didn't impress me too awful much with these two. Competent and professional, yes.....original? Hardly. Then again, the sites are geared toward sales.....and competent, professional images sell, even if they're not terribly original. People buy what they recognize and relate to when they're looking for work to hang.
Originally posted by n16ht5:
Yet it seems that the people could care less. the best copycat wins it all, sells the prints, and gets the praise. I just see it amplified here. I would expect more from the voters here. |
Okay......methinks you're mixing your populations in this last statement. Again, like you say, sales are standard......certain images resonate with a paying crowd. Why would you mess with that? Your expectations for what's happening here are pretty much unrealistic. You're shooting within parameters established by the description of a theme, voted on by other photogs who will bust you for thinking outside the box. What else would you expect from the Top 10 in any challenge other than very competent, slightly predictable images? Free Studies and odd themes are where you'll find your more off the wall images.
I see an awful lot of very good stuff in the side challenges where the subject material is wide open, and the learning, and viewing possibilities are endless. Perhaps you could start a side challenge, and encourage the type of work you'd like to see......and give us some examples with your own work of what you mean by original there as well.
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10/14/2010 06:10:02 AM · #11 |
Please list the subjects/objects we should be photographing then make another list of objects/subjects we shouldn't photograph.
I promise I'll do my best to photograph what you want me to photograph.
I'm glad you started this thread because I had no idea what to photograph today.
So get those lists posted so I don't disappoint you with my photography.
Thank you for taking the time out to let us know what we can and cannot photograph.
Much appreciated. It's what DPC was lacking. You are our saviour.
:insert sarcastic looking smiley: |
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