The MAJOR thing you have to know about photography is that your subject has to be IN FOCUS. Yes, that sounds simple. But judging from some of the entries, obviously the photographer hasn't double-checked whether or not the subject is 100% clear. A clear subject is the first step to any great photograph.
I suppose if you're amazing enough to be able to take an out of focus picture of your subject *and* clearly communicate your specific artistic intentions to the average viewer through the image alone, so that there's no ambiguity about why the focus is off, then and only then can you can break the rules.
But if it looks out of focus and we can't see any deliberate purpose behind it... I bet it's not going to get good votes. Maverick rule-breaking artist or not!
I disagree with the comment that there are NO rules. We can bend and twist most rules, but I would not go so far as to say there are NO rules. Photography coneys to viewers what the photographer saw and felt at the time the shutter sounded. And in most cases, the human eye is indeed in focus. I agree that if you can convey your message clearly with an out-of-focus picture, that's great. But in most cases (and I do mean MOST), focus is key.
What you are talking about when you talk about an "out of focus challenge" is something called technique. For one to have technique, one must first acquire a fundamental understanding of the basics of the subject matter -- in this case, photography.
So, once you understand how to draw the viewer's attention to the subject by focusing on the subject, you can begin to experiment with focusing on the subject without having it being in-focus.
please stop the art school rhetoric either way. it's really silly.
i can give a three-month old baby a camera and have him slobber all over it and push the button at some point. he'll still probably understand what you don't: a picture is just a picture. it's either good or bad, and there's nothing else to it.
1) I didn't go to art school. But thanks for the compliment. 2) Give your camera to a baby and all you'd get is a broken camera. 3) You are probably right. Judging from the extremely wonderful photos you took for the past challenges, you are obviously a much better photography than I am.
* This message has been edited by the author on 3/7/2002 10:38:18 AM.
then again, i did take a look at the pictures on your website.
and well, yeah, that picture of the ducks, man, good stuff. i didn't take pictures like that when i was, what, six years old.
of course, here's the thing: my stuff sometimes sucks but i've been doing this as a hobby for a couple of years. your stuff sucks and you went to new york institute of photography (what the hell is that anyway?). looks like i come out on top.
Actually I really liked your photos. But I guess if you are trying to attack my work, that's cool with me. I'm here to have fun and learn. Thank you for your criticism.
Dang, its been a long discussion. Its fun reading what Joshua and Leshii have to say to each other. It started out so professional, and now they're just putting down each other's works...hehe funny stuff! There are definitely rules to photograhy (..mostly for beginners), but I guess its up to you guys if you want to break them or not, no need to fight over it. On a different topic, I'm excited about the Red contest. I think its a lot harder than the other two I've seen since I've been here. Amateur Boy
* This message has been edited by the author on 3/8/2002 2:25:48 AM.
Not necessarily, some great photographs have the subject out of focus. There are some guidelines concerning composition which can be found in books or on the net. They are just that, guidelines (including focus). Follow them and you will take good pictures. break a few, and great things can emerge.
hey, anyone talking smack on a long dead thread, belatedly telling people to stop debating and shoot photos, when everyone else already *has* multiple photos in their profile, and at best they have a mystery submision... well... they deserve what they get. :)
Now excuse me while I go shoot some photogrpahs. ;)
* This message has been edited by the author on 4/12/2002 2:29:58 AM.
