Hmmm...good looking dog...just a thought though...since the theme is "friendship", shouldn't the picture include you as well? You with the dog. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's just a picture of a dog...is it not? If the title was "friend" it might be more passable for the assignment. I just think you can do better, given the availability of your friend
The colors also seem rather "muddy", no real contrast.
waveslider24 wrote:
Hmmm...good looking dog...just a thought though...since the theme is "friendship", shouldn't the picture include you as well? You with the dog. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's just a picture of a dog...is it not? If the title was "friend" it might be more passable for the assignment. I just think you can do better, given the availability of your friend
The colors also seem rather "muddy", no real contrast.
Thanks for looking and commenting Waveslider...
You might have a point there, but it seems to me others take the theme and bend it to their own interpretation, so mine is “friendship” with my dog. His expression and eye contact represent a “friendship.” So I am going to let it ride for now. And since I don’t like to be photographed, including myself isn’t an option. Perhaps I can photoshop someone else in....
I’m starting to take this weekly assignment way too seriously! It’s supposed to be fun and I find myself questioning myself when someone post a comment that suggests my interpretation of the theme is incorrect. I’ll stick with my original post. If I’m wrong, so be it....
gregfountain wrote:
I’m starting to take this weekly assignment way too seriously! It’s supposed to be fun and I find myself questioning myself when someone post a comment that suggests my interpretation of the theme is incorrect. I’ll stick with my original post. If I’m wrong, so be it....
-Greg
Yeah I agree Greg. The atmosphere here could use a little lightening up.
Aspiring photographers and artists (!) who chose to be constantly negative and critical of others aren't really improving their own photo skills are they! Ha!
Your photo is sweet. The toning highlights the breed and gives the picture an old timey feel. I see no reason why 'friendship' can't mean a picture of your friend as a choice of interpretations for the assignment, that is your choice, though obviously some will disagree.
zcaley wrote:
Yeah I agree Greg. The atmosphere here could use a little lightening up.
Aspiring photographers and artists (!) who chose to be constantly negative and critical of others aren't really improving their own photo skills are they! Ha!
Your photo is sweet. The toning highlights the breed and gives the picture an old timey feel. I see no reason why 'friendship' can't mean a picture of your friend as a choice of interpretations for the assignment, that is your choice, though obviously some will disagree.
Thanks Caley. I appreciate your kind words and your understanding.
Adorable dog and I like the feel of the image achieved with the conversion. It's obvious the dog is looking at you (in this case also the photographer), so to me he's staring at you and with trust and friendship, so it works for me, too.
One thing you can count on in the WA is opinions, humble and otherwise (including mine, here!). Each of us has to weigh the comments and see if they feel right for us, taking into consideration technical merit and subjectivity. Art is so subjective, one's trash is another's treasure. Interpretation of the theme is the most subjective of all, for it's about vision and nuances of taste. Someone reminded me of how our instincts work, she said, "It's that first, split-second reaction in our gut, before we have time for the brain to jump in and chatter." When reading feedback, I trust my instinct first, then weigh it against what could be wrong technically, then weigh that against the artist within me. While I always appreciate opinions and rules, the bottom line is I ultimately have to be happy with the end result, and that's up to me. I hate to think of what the world would have lost if every artist succumbed to the tastes of the masses. :-)
Beverly - I sure appreciate you taking the time to share some of your insights to the WA culture. It's funny; I work with flammable and explosive hydrocarbons for a living, and do so with the utmost confidence, but when it comes to photography...well, it's another story. Eventually I will learn to trust that initial instinct and I know that my confidence will grow with time and there are sure to be frustrating set backs, but as the saying goes; "Live and Learn." That's my plan!
zcaley wrote:
Yeah I agree Greg. The atmosphere here could use a little lightening up.
Aspiring photographers and artists (!) who chose to be constantly negative and critical of others aren't really improving their own photo skills are they! Ha!
Your photo is sweet. The toning highlights the breed and gives the picture an old timey feel. I see no reason why 'friendship' can't mean a picture of your friend as a choice of interpretations for the assignment, that is your choice, though obviously some will disagree.
Wow...lighten up huh? I didn't think what I said was out of line, negative, or rude. I felt the comments were honest and intended to give a different perspective. He defended his point of view and I didn't argue with the OP...he feels he has reasons he likes his shot...that's fine...I just thought he could've improved on the idea he had.
I see a lot of other opinions being stated on the shots in the weekly assignments...for some reason, I got the idea we were here to improve our skills and push ourselves...apparently I've been misled...my apologies. Lightening up...
waveslider24 wrote: zcaley wrote:
No need to be defensive! We are here to improve our skills and push ourselves. You haven't been misled. Gregg obviously respects your opinion and took it the wrong way. That's all. No biggie. You're still an angel.
(As an after thought, since you are there at the beach with the bevvie of beauties (?!?!) I challenge you to take the most kick ass picture of friendship evah, without using photoshop. I expect you to be this weeks assignment winner! Except that no matter how good your picture is my picture is gonna kick your pictures ass. )...Show more →
zcaley wrote: waveslider24 wrote: I do respect the opinion of those who participate on this board, including Jake’s. I just don’t necessarily agree in this case. Could my photo be better? Of course it can. I have yet to find perfection here or anywhere else. There is always something someone can find wrong with an image. As Beverly pointed out, it’s all subjective. My argument was aimed more towards the comments made about my interpretation of the theme. Unless Fred Miranda starts deciding for us what the image should look like, and I would probably not participate if he did, it is up to the photographer to decide how their image fits. In this case, my intent is to create a friendship between the viewer and my dog. If you feel that connection - I succeeded! If not, I failed. SImple as that.
I value the critical feedback I get here, especially when someone takes the time to suggest ways to improve what they point out as flaws. But without the “mentoring” aspect of a critical evaluation, it can come across as merely flaming. Jake did, in his defense, suggest adding another element to the photo to better fit his interpretation of the theme.
I’ve learned a couple of things this week. First of all, I need to trust my gut feeling about my photo and be open to suggestions for improving it, not replacing it. Second, I should never post replies after working a long 12 hour shift when I am exhausted. It’s hard to properly convey my thoughts in that condition!
We are here to improve our skills and push ourselves. You haven't been misled. Gregg obviously respects your opinion and took it the wrong way. That's all. No biggie. You're still an angel.