Picture of the Week - August 2, 2005

[Nnnnsic]

This week is my choice and I was tossing up between so many images (there were some very impressive images posted this week... keep up the excellent work, people!)...

But this week I've decided to select the following work by Dooda:



It's a beautiful image, in my opinion.

Fantastic detail, the rich "colour" that grayscale uses, the mood... everything about that photo makes me fall for it.

It's easily my favourite of the lot he posted from the original thread, which can be found here:
http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=7717

Congratulations and great work Dooda!

[leek]

Ah yes... Nice choice Leigh... I loved that image too...

Nice work Dave... Well deserved...

[Aussie Dave]

Great work Dooda ! The contrast in this shot & the composition help to make this a really great photo. The B&W also lends itself well to this shot.

...and good choice Leigh ! Let's see if this weeks POTW is as controversial as last weeks (I think not !)

[Oneputt]

I do not know how I missed this first time around. A lovely image and a deserved winner. Well done.

[Greg B]

Great photo dooda Dave, congratulations. This is old school BW work in my view, very nice indeed.

Good choice Leigh.

Aussie Dave, the most pages in a PotW thread was three until last week when we hit eight!

[Aussie Dave]

Aussie Dave, the most pages in a PotW thread was three until last week when we hit eight!

It certainly had alot of people talking....which was good.

[gstark]

Aussie Dave, the most pages in a PotW thread was three until last week when we hit eight!

It certainly had alot of people talking....which was good.

To a point.

Which brings me to mine; let's focus on the PotW and discussing that, if we may?

Dave, another great shot, great composition, and beautifully converted to B&W, with a full tonal range.

[stubbsy]

I'd like to say that I think this is the worst POTW yet and that I think this place sucks, but then I'd be telling porkies

Dave

Liked this when I first saw it and still do. I think you've managed to extract every ounce of magic from the shot with superb B & W treatment in PP. You should be justifiably proud.

[MHD]

Superb BW treatment... really brings out the image...

Great work and well picked

[sirhc55]

Sombre, stylish and intriguing - a great shot and well deserved POTW Dave

[radar]

Good choice Leigh,

missed it first time around, glad it got POTW. Really reminded me of being back home, next to one of those lakes. The B&W really makes it great.

Well done Dave.

Radar
aka André

[KerryPierce]

Leigh: You should be an art critic. You Always pick the cool images.

Dave: I missed this the first time around. Glad it got POTW, because I think it's well deserved.

[jethro]

im not going to bait the hook! this is a great shot

[Onyx]

Great pic Dave, makes me wanna visit Squamish.

[gstark]

im not going to bait the hook! this is a great shot

With all due respect, last week, when you said "POTW i feel is a wank!", you set yourself up for this. You've made your bed, not it's time for you to lie in it.

You need to make up your mind; it cannot be a wank just because you don't like a particular week's choice, and then be ok the following week because you do like the choice.

The concept of PotW is either valid, or it is not, but it cannot change just because you don't like what was selected.

And finally, your viewpoint about any given image, whether favourable or otherwise, is perfectly valid too. Just do not confuse the two, as you appear to have done last week.

[MCWB]

Wow, I'll have to add another vote for "missed it the first time, glad it's PotW"!! Wonderful shot Dave, the detail is amazing. Would look great printed and framed I'm sure!

[Aussie Dave]

Aussie Dave, the most pages in a PotW thread was three until last week when we hit eight!

It certainly had alot of people talking....which was good.

To a point.

Which brings me to mine; let's focus on the PotW and discussing that, if we may?

my apologies Gary.

[Yedrup]

Wonderful image

An image of this quality is one of the reasons that I love photography, it looks stunning in BW, such great contrast and tone.

Congratulations on POTW.

VG choice.

Cheers,
Terry

[mic]

On Ya Doodles

Excellent foreground detail & B&W conversion.

Keep it up.

Mic.

[informer]

im not going to bait the hook! this is a great shot

With all due respect, last week, when you said "POTW i feel is a wank!", you set yourself up for this. You've made your bed, not it's time for you to lie in it.

You need to make up your mind; it cannot be a wank just because you don't like a particular week's choice, and then be ok the following week because you do like the choice.

The concept of PotW is either valid, or it is not, but it cannot change just because you don't like what was selected.

And finally, your viewpoint about any given image, whether favourable or otherwise, is perfectly valid too. Just do not confuse the two, as you appear to have done last week.

Not trying to sound like I'm defending anybody, but this photo at least is a fair bit more interesting than the last one. The depth of the picture, the b/w usage, the dark and spooky feel and the complexity of the subject.

It makes sense to my eyes at least.

[dooda]

It would be an understatement to say that I'm thrilled about being POTW.

A few months back I was strategizing on getting it. I had a few really good images and I was submitting them towards the end of the week. None of them got in as there was always one just a little better. Then this place grew and the amount of really good photogs increased so i thought that it was hopeless.

Taking this picture made me realize how important the light qualities are to a picture. What may not work at noon may work at 6pm, and vice versa. I have another similar pic, but the entire scene works better on this one. Thanks again everyone, I'm flattered and feel like I can be at peace.

dave

[gstark]

It makes sense to my eyes at least.

There are three vital words in this last para of yours that vaklidate any and every other choice that's been made here: "in my eyes".

Just because you don't see something in an image does not mean that that same image is seen by others in the same manner: you can only ever talk about how you see it, and that is fair and reasonable.

But it is not fair, and it is not reasonable, for you to try to shoot down a person, or a system, because you don't see an image in the same way that someone else might.

Just as your view is perfectly valid, so too is mine, and so too is that of everybody else here.

If and when a PotW is made and you don't agree with it, you are free to say so, and say why.

And move on!

[flipfrog]

congrats dave!

[informer]

It makes sense to my eyes at least.

There are three vital words in this last para of yours that vaklidate any and every other choice that's been made here: "in my eyes".

Just because you don't see something in an image does not mean that that same image is seen by others in the same manner: you can only ever talk about how you see it, and that is fair and reasonable.
!

That is fair to say, what does that say about the photo selection on PotW? Weren't pictures picked by one of the moderators because "in his/her eyes" they were worthy? The last reviewer chose last week's PotW because "he could". Know what I mean about the in-group?

Sorry for dragging it on a bit but I'm interested in your method of response to jethro. I think all the pictures are worthy, but jethro did throw some interesting points about the validity of PotW.

Dooda, was that natural lighting or did you turn down the brightness for that picture? I was inspired by the darkness of it as I also have a few pictures like that.

[gstark]

That is fair to say, what does that say about the photo selection on PotW? Weren't pictures picked by one of the moderators because "in his/her eyes" they were worthy? The last reviewer chose last week's PotW because "he could". Know what I mean about the in-group?

The selection criteria for PotW is totally open. I provide no guidelines whatsoever and exert no influence. When Leigh asked me this week to comment on his short list, my response that it was his call.

When he persisted, I offered a couple of observations about a couple of the choices, and he disputed and we discussed those, which was good, because it helped him cement his views on the eventual choice.

The bottom line is that it's up to each mod to choose whatever he wants, for whatever reason he likes - or for no reason at all. There is no need for them to justify their choice to me, nor to anyone else, and no matter what they choose, they will have my full support in that choice.

Please do not misinterpret that last statement as me saying that I will like their choice; that may or may not happen, but regardless of my feelings about their choice, I will accept and support that selection as the PotW.

And as to your observation about the in-group - I do find that quite offensive.

The only "in-group" here is that of people who participate frequently in the discussions, and perhaps those who are able to come to mini-meets.

You make yourself a part of that "group" by joining in. Significantly, you exclude yourself by not joining in.

Consider that a member might live in Sydney. Surely, it's up to that member to get up off their backside and perhaps get themselves a little more involved, if they wish?

Many do, and many do not. That's fair enough too. But for those who do not to then claim that there's some sort of in-group, to which they do not belong, when they've made little real effort at participation themselves ... excuse me, but that's a bit hard to swallow.

So, please permit me to say this again - you exclude yourself by not joining in.


I have yet to meet a more friendly, and a more welcoming bunch of people - from all parts of our lonely planet - on the web. That so many of us can - and do - engage in meaningful discussions, often agreeing to disagree but always respecting one's right to disagree, is a strong and vital part of this community.

That we have, one year on, yet to see a flame war here is something that I feel is truly remarkable, and a feat of which you, the members, should be proud.

Sorry for dragging it on a bit but I'm interested in your method of response to jethro. I think all the pictures are worthy, but jethro did throw some interesting points about the validity of PotW.

Here's the issue I have: I still cannot understand the thrust of Jethro's comments. Seriously.

I feel that he has totally failed to articulate his point in a comprehensible manner, and despite my saying as much within last week's thread, I am still no closer to gaining any sort of understanding of the message he is trying to convey.

But you've said that he "did throw some interesting points about the validity of PotW"

Jethro made one comment about the PotW concept: that it was "a wank". Those were his words.

If he feels so strongly that it's not a valid concept, why then did feel compelled to comment, just a few days later, that "this is a great shot" ? Something here is very wrong in his words; they're totally contradictory! He cannot eat his cake and then still have it.

Which brings me back to my earlier point - that he has utterly failed to
articulate his point in a comprehensible manner. And I know that others feel the same; there are other similar comments in last week's thread.

[thaddeus]

Would it be possible to move the discussion about last week's POTW to last weeks' thread? That way we can get this tread back on-topic and discuss Dooda's image.

I find the photograph very relaxing. I am not usually a fan of B&W treatment, but it really pulls out the texture of the tree and roots. I just want to sit down on that log at the front and ponder the serenity of it all! Well done Dooda!

[Sheetshooter]

Not to put too much of a Martin Luther King spin on it but;

I HAVE A DREAM ....

.... that one day the discussion regarding POTW will remain centred on the actual aesthetics, technique and narrative of an awarded picture and not so much of this diatribe of sour grapes and hurt pride.

Perhaps the moderator(s) could plit a thread like this so that political discussion is removed and no longer impedes the appreciation of the work - of whatever merit it may be.

Now, to practice what I preach:

Dave (Dooda) has offered us a fine selection of pictures in his initial thread and this awarded example stands tall among them. He has also provided very valuable comment in relating how he persisted with this idea until the light was right - a practice that could be a welcome inclusion for those who are not doing it at present. In the studio lights are moved to best render the form and surface of a subject - in the outside world we are subservient to the currant bun and must wait.

Dave, you have captured a lovely setting but, more importantly for me, you have also captured a moment to pause and reflect. Simply wonderful.

Cheers,

[Manta]

I'm getting in a little late on this thread but just wanted to say that I love the image Dooda. It's a classic shot any way you look at it and there's something that sneaks out and grabs you everytime you chance another glance at it. Must be those goblins hiding amongst the tree roots.

I've had my share of agreement and disagreement with the choices for PotW but I'm certainly pleased we have this little mini-challenge happening. I haven't quite cracked it yet but aspire to doing so at some stage. Inversion, B&W, out of focus, stark colours, wistful landscapes, brooding lakes, abstract mindscapes; just goes to show you can't predict what's going to win it and in that it provides both entertainment and a learning opportunity all in the one simple serving.

My thanks to Dooda, for this terrific glimpse at a dark hidden world, and to Leigh and the mods for the consistent high standard of selections which, of course come from such a high standard of 'entries'. Maybe mine will be there sometime too.

[the foto fanatic]

I saw the original post, and thought the images were "good" or "OK". For whatever reason at that time, this one didn't jump out at me.

Now that it is POTW, I really can't understand how I didn't give it the attention it deserved when I first saw it. < Smacks wrist hard >

I'm glad it got picked because it's a great B&W shot; but I'm even more pleased that I was able to revisit it and enjoy it.

[dooda]

I'm so pleased at all the comments.

It was quite dark when I took this, the last light of dawn, all pics taken 15 minutes or so after this one were blurry from shake.

About BW conversion. I always wondered why some pictures work and some don't in BW. I pretty much shoot for BW now, and must have some kind of excuse to leave something in color (some fantastic colour that gives the photo life and character), otherwise I find that for my style of shooting, BW has more impact given the proper treatment.

Trevor, funny thing this has happened to me with POTW. I see the picture in the stream and it seems okay to pretty good, then I look at it as POTW and it jumps out at me. Not sure if this is the psychology of seeing something accepted changing it's aesthetic in my mind, or simply seeing it without the clutter and context of other photos. In any case it raises an interesting question about our mind and aesthetics.

Again thanks all for the comment, I must say that this is a true thrill.

[informer]

Maybe because the other pictures were drawing attention, thus taking a bit away from this one?

I always find that if you isolated a photo, put a nice frame on it and against a light background, it makes it looks 10 times better.

Congrats.

[dooda]

I confess that I dislike most digital frames, but sort of prefer a dark background for most pictures. Worst is frames and mat that have some kind of 3-d quality on them with textured mat.

But I do think a picture is probably more fully appreciated within it's own context, and not sharing a thread with other pictures.

[kinetic]

Not to put too much of a Martin Luther King spin on it but;

I HAVE A DREAM ....

.... that one day the discussion regarding POTW will remain centred on the actual aesthetics, technique and narrative of an awarded picture and not so much of this diatribe of sour grapes and hurt pride.

YAHOO!!

I love this picture because
a) it has really good depth, there are the closeups of the tangle of roots at the base, and then the far away trees and their reflection in the lake. .. and
b)as somebody else mentioned, there is lots of things to look at in the photo, but at the same time it does not seem too cluttered.

Thanks Dooda.

[Alex]

Fantastic shot, dooda.

Alex