Photo Challenge 10 – Photographer

Well, we come to an end after 20 weeks of the original strict Photo Challenge format. We’ve lost two contributors along the way, with a third just hanging in there.

I am benefiting creatively by shooting in styles I am not familiar with, so instead of setting formal challenges online each fortnight I’m going to change the structure into something far more casual.  Any reader wishing to suggest a theme or get involved in a challenge should feel encouraged to do so, no matter what level they believe their photographic skills are at. Whatever I receive, whether it be a photo or an idea, will inspire me to shoot for that idea, and I’ll ask that you help me by continuing to contribute your thoughts and comments.   In other words, I’m going to post whatever theme I feel like, whenever I like,  in response to whatever conversation I’ve been having either online or offline with you guys.

Sounds like fun?  Well, it does to me.

On to our theme for this particular challenge – Photographer.

Steve’s submission

My thoughts:

My camera and tripod was still out after shooting a passport photo of myself, and when I moved it out of the cinema room (my “studio”) the cats showed their usual over-curiosity. Cue “ding” noise in sync with light bulb appearing over my head.

I took three images I really liked, and had a tough time choosing one, but this is as close as it gets to a cat setting up a “still life” photo of the outdoor BBQ. It so happens that the BBQ is the one spot the two of them can jump on to see over the fence. In this case I believe Mishka may be doing some rainy day reconnaissance so she is better prepared to make an escape bid when the sun reappears.

ISO 200, F2.8, 1/60

Joepi’s Submission

Joepi says:

The battle for the best spot to get the best shot.
There were more photographers at the back just waiting for their turn. I decided to get away first before I add to the non stop clicking and excited Photographer chatter.

My thoughts: As soon as I saw this image it reminded me of an image I took of a horde of male photographers swarming around a Japanese mini-celebrity in Akihabara. It’s unlikely that you’d see this sort of photographer/subject interaction on a Melbourne street. I’m not sure if that’s because Australians don’t take street photography seriously, or because the potential subjects so often display a bad attitude towards being photographed.

Joepi exhibits excellent paparazzi skills by being in front of all the rest.

Mat’s submission:

Mat says:

I took this during an Asleep In The Park gig where there were a few other photographers roaming around. I took this at 3200 ISO because it was a pretty dark venue then as the original shot was done in bright red light I fed it threw a gentle sepia filter in dark room to make it look less like a photojournalist visiting hell. I was tempted to
lighten up the camera but then I thought the photographer is the subject here and the camera is really irrelevant. At first I was amused at the way this guy has his left eye all screwed up in a painful looking squint…until I realised that I probably do the same thing!

My thoughts: Nice image, Mat. Well composed and exposed. I’m very impressed that 3200 came out this well. Seems like I might have to upgrade my 30D to the something with a new chip after all. I’m glad you didn’t lighten up the camera.  The photographer is, and should be the subject here. Definitely makes me squint when I look at it. In fact there are days when I wonder if I’m going to get my regular focal length back in my left eye, especially after staring at a bright stage through the viewfinder for an hour. On the flip side (excuse the pun) I feel very uncomfortable when I notice he is using his right eye to focus.  That just doesn’t seem at all right to me.  Well done in bringing back the image texture. After shooting once at Revolver under those bad red lights, I’ve chosen not to go back – at least not with my camera.  Note – Tyrah Banks thinks that lump above his left eye makes him uniquely photogenic. You may wish to suggest he try out for Cycle 13.

PS – “dark room”? You going backwards in your progression and fallen into film techniques, Mat?

Next Challenge

The next challenge is to think up the next theme for the masses to go crazy about. (Sarcasm is one of the services I offer).

I have some ideas for things I’m going to post when I get the urge, but if someone wants to put a rocket under me any earlier than that, then be my guest.

Photo Challenge 6 – Temptation

My journalist friend, Veena, gave us a tough theme this time.  Almost everybody rose to the challenge.  Almost.
I don’t think I put enough effort into mine,  so don’t be afraid to get stuck in to me for that.  And I haven’t heard from Ken so we’ll run with four images this time.

Temptation means one thing to most people, and many things to the rest.  To creative people like us (cough) I think it can mean thousands of things, and I’m glad of that because I didn’t want to be posting five images of young hunks and spunks at the beach or the like.  So, do we keep it simple and present a direct connection with the theme?  Or do we go for something far more subtle, that might be a little left of centre and promote discussion?

Let’s see what we’ve done.

Steve’s submission

I struggled for two weeks to come up with something, and failed miserably. In the end I decided to portray one of my cats – Mushroom, trying so hard to resist his natural urge to explore whatever is on the other side of his fence.  Watching him in live action portrays “temptation” far better than my still image ends up doing, as he prowls, stares, moans, whines and murmurs, begins to wiggle his tail in readiness to jump before turning around to pace the fence once more.

My thoughts:

The thoughts running around my head at the last moment, as I was getting some selection input from Joepi (i.e. cheating) on my final two-image shortlist follow:

I like the aesthetics of the first (the image above), but perhaps the link to the theme is too subtle and requires some creative thought.  I like that he is staring directly through the gap.  But if you weren’t told the theme first you could think it was simply curiosity.

The second (cat is in initial stages of a leap) is more obvious, but it could still be interpreted as something else – like escape or opportunity.  He does actually jump on this attempt, so even though he is only poised at the photographic moment, it would take some prompting from me to have the viewer imagine him as being tempted, and not already have made his decision.

I don’t think temptation should be directly associated with action. As a state of mind, I think it is definitely more closely related to curiosity, so that’s the image I chose.

Katy’s submission

Katy says:

As soon as I laid my eyes on this month’s challenge, I thought of an apple – the shape the word ‘temptation’ has taken along the years, at least for me. But then I gave the theme more careful thought and came up with something a bit more original than simply placing an apple against a plain background and shooting it macro. Anyway, next thing I did was to get my spice-things-up dice out of the drawer and roll them to see what my luck was.

So get tempted…

P.S. : The word displayed on the first die is the Portuguese for ‘kiss’. 

My thoughts: This is why I love having photographers from distant lands involved in this. We are treated to broad interpretations along with somewhat alien concepts and experiences.  And I get to learn a new Portuguese word!  The out of focus question mark on the second die is brilliant, and I love the red rich sensuality of the scene.  This image  makes me try harder to be more creative next time.

Mat’s submission

Mat says:

This is my good friend Max (from top Aussie rock band Asleep In The Park) posing in front of a Melbourne shoe shop. I experimented with a few different shutter speed settings to show other people as a blur while Max held perfectly still. This one at 0.6 seconds and f/22 turned out the best. I adjusted the levels and curves in Paintshop Pro and cropped to highlight the Soul Sale sign – after all, true temptation always costs us our soul!

My thoughts: Mat’s on a roll. This is a wonderful image that could well be used commercially. The blurred passers-by are exactly as they should have been treated.   The composition, particularly with “Soul Sale” adding to the number of ways we can interpret this, appeals to me. The shoes and boots are well arranged, creating a space in front of Max who is playing the role of the “will I or won’t I” shopper to perfection.  The entire image may seem a little claustrophobic at first – there’s a lot going on in a small space – but I kind of like that.

Joepi’s submission

Joepi says:

Temptation by my own thought is the act of wanting what is Naught.
Not yours to keep, Not yours to feel. Not yours to see and what’s Not meant to be…
Temptation by my own thought is not following what is taught.
It’s not yours yet you touch. Don’t touch yet you reach.
Close your eyes…Yet you peek.

 

So here’s the thought behind the image: Fishnet stockings have always been a symbol of sensuality. They have a “come hither” quality about them that is absolutely irresistible and yet their naughty taboo reputation also keeps a number of folks away (some even with raised eyebrows ;-D) This pose of seated, raised and closed yet slightly spread legs also screams “come hither.” But the notion is being waived off as the legs are closed with hands to cover and the instructions to not peek should be enough to deter you from coming closer… right.
f5.6 47mm focal length 1600ISO 1/20sec

My thoughts: I think Joepi’s image is a poster ad waiting to happen. Just have to figure out what is being sold – perhaps a new perfume called “Temptation”?  Hard for me to fault this shot. Great lines and exceptional imagery.  I hope it tempts you readers to weigh in with your thoughts…

Next Challenge

Hmmm, let me dig into my old calico bag of themes and see what I can drag out…
And the winner is… Sydney!  No no no, wrong announcement thanks Juan Antonio!  Try again.
Ok, the winner is Joepi so our next theme will be her suggestion – “Technicolor“.
Please have your photo to me by Sunday February 1st.

This should be fun, and you gotta be in it to win it.

PS – I was thinking that if this challenge  thing continues to hum along nicely, I might have to introduce some incentives for you readers to submit the most thoughtful, incisive or enjoyable comments. I’ve a heap of crap in my back rooms that I could give away – books, CDs, stuffed toys, old sporting trophies etc.  You know, stuff people really want.  Let me know what you think…