Details vs. "Art"

Paul Watson

After posting that photo of a muscle car that was more flag than car I came to the conclusion that details are what drives many developers, not aesthetics or vision. I probably would have faired better if I had posted a true-to-life photo of the car with as much detail in it as possible. Screw the rich colours, the symbolism, the artsy fartsy side. Just give you realistic details. I could have half a person in the shot but so long as the car was intact you would be happy. Yet that photo fairs quite well with the photographic crowd, they like the "oooh shiny red" and symbolism. They like the perspective and lines of the car, the angle of the flag. If I had shown them a photo that worked well for developers, they would have hated it. Midday colour? UGH! Just a car? WTF? There is half a person! Oh no! Can't please everyone all the time huh? :) So those who asked "Where is the engine?" or said "Artsy fartsy crap", or just plain did not like it: When do you appreciate aesthetics and vision at the cost of details? Was it the promise of a detailed car that had you revved up and then you were let down? I honestly do not mind either way. I like the photo and that is what counts in my head. But I am still curious as to what would please you*? * John Simmons: There must be something in this world that someone else, who is not a NASCAR or muscle car fan, has made that you like? Or is everything just a complete bore to you? Were you different as a kid? Did you ever say "Ooohhh, shiny red" even once?

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Roger Wright

Who cares what pleases others? You enjoy photography, it's your hobby - shoot what pleases you! As a general rule, though, if you're shooting for a pragmatic purpose - to sell a car, perhaps - shoot the car. If you want to enjoy rich composition and the admiration of your fellow photographers, shoot the artsy fartsy stuff and the critics be damned... It is ok for women not to like sports, so long as they nod in the right places and bring beers at the right times.
Paul Watson, on Sports - 2/10/2003

brianwelsch

They just missed the fact that the detail to look for was not the car at all, at least not the mechanics of the car. The muscle in the car you photographed was to be found in the symbolism of the US flag. If you can't see or appreciate the colors, mood, emotion, or composition of photographs and paintings, then likely you're missing half of what is going on around you. BW "Gandalf. Yes. That is what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. *I* am Gandalf the White." - Gandalf the White

Shog9 0

Paul Watson wrote: But I am still curious as to what would please you? More Honduran squirrels. Lots more.

Shog9

The Man. The Legend. The Bored, Narcissistic, Whiteboard-marker Sniffing Programmer.

KaRl

Evil is in the Details :)

Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop

Shog9 0

KaЯl wrote: Evil is in the Details And in the grape jelly. or maybe it's grapes, i forget.

Shog9

The Man. The Legend. The Bored, Narcissistic, Whiteboard-marker Sniffing Programmer.

Michael A Barnhart

Paul Watson wrote: So those who asked "Where is the engine?" or said "Artsy fartsy crap", or just plain did not like it: When do you appreciate aesthetics and vision at the cost of details? I did tell you that I liked it and that it printed out great. I just also would apprecaite the engine, also. Did not mean to complain:( "I will find a new sig someday."

KaRl

Shog9 wrote: And in the grape jelly. or maybe it's grapes, i forget. I knew in vino veritas, but that...a personal addiction?

Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop

Paul Watson

KaЯl wrote: Evil is in the Details You are pretty open to people correcting your English, so here goes: It is "The Devil is in the details." not evil. Same thing really, but a minor mistake that English speakers will rag you for.

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Paul Watson

Michael A. Barnhart wrote: I did tell you that I liked it and that it printed out great. I just also would apprecaite the engine, also. Did not mean to complain Sorry Michael, I was not picking on you. As you said after your engine remark you did say it printed great and even if you were just testing your printer it put a grin on my face. BTW, how big did you print the shot? A4? Was there much grain in the image or was it quite clean and smooth? I do actually regret not having taken more photos of that muscle car, it was a beaut. Thing is, about 100 meters away were two Ferrari F1 Grand Prix cars, the very ones that Schumi drove. So I was kinda running past the muscle car, snapped the flag shot and then onto the GP cars :)

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Paul Watson

brianwelsch wrote: If you can't see or appreciate the colors, mood, emotion, or composition of photographs and paintings, then likely you're missing half of what is going on around you On that it is amazing how much more you see once you pick up a camera. Even when not looking through a viewfinder, you evaluate things around you a lot more intensely. Even if it is just to figure out if a great photo is lurking, it is still a good thing.

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Paul Watson

Shog9 wrote: More Honduran squirrels. Lots more. Woah, woah, slow down there Shog. I have not even had the guts to do a normal nude photo shoot yet, never mind throwing in some Honduran squirrels. :rolleyes:

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Paul Watson

Roger Wright wrote: Who cares what pleases others? You enjoy photography, it's your hobby - shoot what pleases you! You are right and that is my approach as well. I liked that photo and would not change it to include more of the car or engine because others want it. This post though was more a "Just curious as to what does please you?" For interests sake. Was not trying to gather some sympathy or figure out what is wrong with me. :) I learnt awhile back to be happy means being happy with oneself, not with others.

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Roger Wright

Paul Watson wrote: I learnt awhile back to be happy means being happy with oneself, not with others. You are so right, and so young to have learned it. I wonder why it takes the rest of us so long to figure that out? It is ok for women not to like sports, so long as they nod in the right places and bring beers at the right times.
Paul Watson, on Sports - 2/10/2003

KaRl

According to GoogleFight, you're right. So, many thanks :cool: I'm perhaps too much influenced by GWB :rolleyes: The funny thing is I thought the "Devil" version sounded too french :-D

Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop

Michael A Barnhart

Paul Watson wrote: I was not picking on you. No problem, I had made the comment and you were responding to that line of statements. Paul Watson wrote: BTW, how big did you print the shot? A4? Was there much grain in the image or was it quite clean and smooth? I used SmartPhoto to print it. It was on a US letter size paper but the image was a standard 8X10 inch US format. No grain at all everything is sharp and clear. Even the reflection of the flag on the side of the car is smooth and no grain. I could easily make it larger if I had the ability to handle wider paper. You also have to remember my formal education is in structural engineering. So I really get into mechanical things. "I will find a new sig someday."

Paul Watson

Roger Wright wrote: You are so right, and so young to have learned it. I wonder why it takes the rest of us so long to figure that out? I think most people know it, they just don't practice it, much like me. I am getting better at it but it is a tough nut to crack, just like the RDPD issue :)

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote: I don't know much about Artificial Intelligence, but I've seen a lot of Natural Stupidity in the corporate world...

brianwelsch

Similarly, I often try guess at the story behind someone or something I see. I imagine that would change to trying to capture their story on film if I got into photography. Keeps me attentive to the outside world, which is where the action is.;) BW "Gandalf. Yes. That is what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. *I* am Gandalf the White." - Gandalf the White