When I first came to dgrin, and this forum, one of the first images I saw was a post of BD's dog. I had no idea who BD was. I was trying to figure out how it related to PJ/Street and quickly concluded that the forum must be more than just PJ/Street. Then I ran in to a post of some other non-street/pj picture and it was moved to "Other Cool Shots." Why did that shot get moved and not BD's? Then I guessed that this BD person must be getting special treatment. Then I came to realize that nothing was special about his treatment, but it was the context I was missing. Within the context of the broader conversation the image made perfect sense to the forum. One would have to read many posts to understand the context.
My suggestion to the dgrin Gods is that they consider renaming street/pj to simply "Life: Documenting the art of living." That would broaden out the scope considerably and get us away from taxonomy arguments. Hopefully it would also attract more participants. Diary entries would be on-topic. Niel's work can then be discussed in the context of its ability to document and communicate life, not taxonomy/context definitions. Personal photo essays, etc., would be allowed.
Perhaps that is too broad a topic for everyone. I'm simply trying to find a suggestion that matches what the forum actually is, not trying to argue that it change from what it is. Does that make sense? Pretend for a moment the forum didn't have a name. Look at just the images posted (not comments) over the last 6 months. What would you name this forum based on a survey of those images?
Please feel free to post any reworks you do of my images. Crop, skew, munge, edit, share. Website | Galleries | Utah PJs
My view of "street" is candid photography of strangers doing ordinary
things. But, I also accept images where the subject is doing something
that is not ordinary and the incongruity of that adds to the interest.
I'm a tolerant person, though, and my knickers don't get in a twist when
a regular poster here slips in an image of a family birthday party, a self-
portrait in reflection, a close relative doing something interesting or with
an interesting look, or even a creative montage based on at least one
original photograph.
If someone wants to get a little experimental, but normally does work
that falls within the mandate, it's no big deal to me. If I don't like it, I can
click to the next image with no harm done. The direction of the group
isn't going to be changed by the off-topic image here and there.
BD says that shooting street bums and the homeless are out-of-bounds
here for reasons of fish-in-the-barrel shooting, but I feel the same way
about people sitting at tables in, or outside of, restaurants. There has
to be some unique aspect to that image for it to interest me.
I question the need, Harry, to even ask the question you've asked
here. We're grown-ups capable of tying our own shoes and deciding
what we want to post here. The response will tell us if did it right
or not.
As an aside, I'll be looking forward to BD's response to your
selective color image. I'm still smarting from his acidic review
of my attempt last year of what I thought was a good image
of a flower vendor. I survived, though, and the group
survived.
Allow me to clarify - I apply the "no bums rule" in my classrooms, where I get to be dictator. This is not my sandbox - it was Richard's, and now it is Harry's: they make the rules; I just offer criticism, opinions, and advice. Take them or leave them as it suits you. Finally, I recognize that there are iconic street photographs of "bums," which is why I allow my students to make such images if there is some greater point to the photo. Harry's Wall Street photo, whether he likes it or not, is a good example of the latter category - it doesn't just say 'here's a guy who's down and out.' Instead, as I see it, it is a commentary on our attitude toward such people.
Liz, in my very humble opinion the forum should at it's fundamental be about documenting real life as it exists for each of us within our own interpretation. Street & PJ are a sub-genre.
I remember when Yuri began posting obvious "Street" work in "People". The first thread was moved to Street & PJ where he quite clearly stated his interest was people. The rest of the series was also move from "People" to "Street" until the sixth when he prefaced the post to not move it as his interest is PEOPLE. Telling, eh?
Well you know something. My and I think your interest is also about people, but candidly captured in honest settings, truthfully told. I've been doing more commissioned shoots of couples or groups recently mainly because of the honest way I portray my subjects from my perspective. I'll probably share some in "People" shortly. That said, I'd hope this forum is mainly about PEOPLE, but not actively posed, along with the absurd or ambiguous.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I would only add, 'presented as captured, without extensive manipulation in Photoshop. Real images of the real world.
[QUOTE=Harryb;1773195
I may have a problem if you start posting squirrel pictures though.[/QUOTE]
That at least the second time you've commented on your
squirrel stance. One would almost think that you are doing
a B'rer Rabbit and the briarpatch thing.
You should know better than to challenge like that.
That at least the second time you've commented on your
squirrel stance. One would almost think that you are doing
a B'rer Rabbit and the briarpatch thing.
You should know better than to challenge like that.
From Barberville FL:
And from my own backyard:
I'll stop now, and pretend this never happened.
They would have been better in B&W
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Comments
My suggestion to the dgrin Gods is that they consider renaming street/pj to simply "Life: Documenting the art of living." That would broaden out the scope considerably and get us away from taxonomy arguments. Hopefully it would also attract more participants. Diary entries would be on-topic. Niel's work can then be discussed in the context of its ability to document and communicate life, not taxonomy/context definitions. Personal photo essays, etc., would be allowed.
Perhaps that is too broad a topic for everyone. I'm simply trying to find a suggestion that matches what the forum actually is, not trying to argue that it change from what it is. Does that make sense? Pretend for a moment the forum didn't have a name. Look at just the images posted (not comments) over the last 6 months. What would you name this forum based on a survey of those images?
Website | Galleries | Utah PJs
Fabulous, Andy - thanks. And a great bookend for Saul Leiter's "Early Color."
"He not busy being born is busy dying." Bob Dylan
"The more ambiguous the photograph is, the better it is..." Leonard Freed
Actually, Harry, presented in good black and white, that last one might be the best of a good bunch.
"He not busy being born is busy dying." Bob Dylan
"The more ambiguous the photograph is, the better it is..." Leonard Freed
Allow me to clarify - I apply the "no bums rule" in my classrooms, where I get to be dictator. This is not my sandbox - it was Richard's, and now it is Harry's: they make the rules; I just offer criticism, opinions, and advice. Take them or leave them as it suits you. Finally, I recognize that there are iconic street photographs of "bums," which is why I allow my students to make such images if there is some greater point to the photo. Harry's Wall Street photo, whether he likes it or not, is a good example of the latter category - it doesn't just say 'here's a guy who's down and out.' Instead, as I see it, it is a commentary on our attitude toward such people.
"He not busy being born is busy dying." Bob Dylan
"The more ambiguous the photograph is, the better it is..." Leonard Freed
Yes! Yes! Yes! I would only add, 'presented as captured, without extensive manipulation in Photoshop. Real images of the real world.
"He not busy being born is busy dying." Bob Dylan
"The more ambiguous the photograph is, the better it is..." Leonard Freed
I may have a problem if you start posting squirrel pictures though.[/QUOTE]
That at least the second time you've commented on your
squirrel stance. One would almost think that you are doing
a B'rer Rabbit and the briarpatch thing.
You should know better than to challenge like that.
From Barberville FL:
And from my own backyard:
I'll stop now, and pretend this never happened.
http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/
They would have been better in B&W
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"