Photos worth 100 words (Page 3): Well, first Old man, I think your photos are great. I red most of the comments and they are valid opinions from many of us members of this Forum. In...

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

theoldman wrote:

I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!

I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).

Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.

If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.

I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)

I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.

Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.

The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )

A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )

The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).

Dave
The Old Man

I want to make an easily challenged statement abou... (show quote)

Well, first Old man, I think your photos are great. I red most of the comments and they are valid opinions from many of us members of this Forum. In the beginning of my days taking photos I tried to duplicate some pictures taken by my Grandad staying at the same place he took the original photo and more or less at the same time of day. Guess what: I never was able to get the same results. Not that mine were bad, but I cold never achieve the results and the messages his captures transmitted - without any captions besides day, time, exposure, speed of the shot. I was lucky because when he reviewed my shots he would always asked what did I meant when I took them. That was the lesson: no one taking a shot side by side with any photographer will not be able to duplicate the same results. Reason being that is the PERSON behind the camera is the one that composed and took the shot and no person is like any other. Then he gave me the Ansel Adams book collection telling me that most of the times Mr. Adams spent days on the location waiting for exactly for the time he needed to achieve the results that would transmit his message.

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

theoldman wrote:

I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!...

Dave
The Old Man

Ubiquitous? Possibly.
Passe? You failed to make the case.

Radioactive Loc: Bellingham

Bill_de wrote:

Well Dave, I like both pictures. I was never into ... (show quote)

Sarte said "I don't think, it thinks in me".

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

theoldman wrote:

I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!

I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).

Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.

If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.

I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)

I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.

Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.

The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )

A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )

The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).

Dave
The Old Man

I want to make an easily challenged statement abou... (show quote)

I think that due to the proliferation of DSLR’s and cell phones, we are constantly bombarded by thousands of images on a daily basis. Perhaps our attention span has become much shorter. We quickly view a photo and move on. We do not take the time to “see” the image. Nowadays, I do not expect honest critique on my images due to this issue. We now just receive meaningless “likes” and the move on to the next image. Sadly, I am guilty of this too. That’s my take on it. 😬

Drip Dry McFleye

This is a really good thread. I have read every post in it (rare for me) and it has provoked a lot of thought on my part. Excellent!

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I agree, it was 65+ years ago started to shoot slides at 10ASA while stationed in Libya I used a Argus C3. With slides you took your picture had to crop it properly, focus it properly and expose it properly. You also had to wait about 10 days to know if you did it correctly. That what made you a better photographer. I go with some photographers and the shoot 200 pictures and hope maybe 1/2 are good. I hope I don't have a bad one. The new digital system is great, but it has taken the "something" out of it. You shoot see the picture instantly along with a chart that tells you is it properly exposed and we still shoot tons of poor shots. too bad.
I know I will get some heat from this but it may make some one think before they squeeze

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

There is simply nothing that I can add that hasn't been covered several times over by other Hogs ... so I'll just say requisite images!!!! A pleasure to look at. My only disappointment is a slight one ... no downloads. Thanks for sharing.

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Dave, The Old Man:
Truly enjoyed reading your comments and the two photos! Some 30 or so years ago, my youngest son (now 47) and I spent 5 days driving that area of our beautiful country. We spent one night in Bluff. The next day we visited Mexican Hat and the "Hat." One of my most memorable drives ever was the switchback, dirt road up the mesa. What an adventure! Shot many photos primarily on Kodak film, probably Extar 25,
Jack B (Also an old man!)

SpikeW Loc: Butler PA

As for the telling of a story with photographs, they're being worth a thousand words, I think it is in a persons own minds what the picture says. I look at photos sent in to this site and I know I can't possibly come up to their quality possibility because I have lesser equipment( pun injected here.) It seems that in my fifteen minutes I was only allotted seven. On the other hand if luck was meant to be distributed equally I somehow received more than my share. On the other hand I have done a DVD for a national society and have done three books for my self and have had many request for them, that is until I tell them how much they cost and still I am up to number six on one. Ok now if the smoke clears away I believe every photo is a history, good or bad, and can never be taken again. Once the shutter is pressed the image recorded never to be taken again. It can be copied and improved upon later but time does not allow the same conditions to be present ever again in totality so there will be some difference. A photo does not need a story though it does add to the interest, in some the photo itself is the story. They are separate entities and each has its own interest to a viewer. As it was said in the song in Cabaret "If you could see with my eyes" expresses it the best way. Everyone sees it their way with their eyes so adding a story to a picture or adding a picture to a story may or may not be as important as it seems to the insurer. Sometimes it is important and sometimes it isn't but for me, since I see things differently, (self analyzation,)I seem to think a statement or location adds to somethings. It's all about the author.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Like I keep reminding the younger ones - you can't compare the old days to the new ones. The population of our country has doubled since I was a teen. More people = more competition from the top layer as well as all of us below the top, plus now we have worldwide competitiors. Plus my son was on a computer by the time he was four and has that built into his intution, while I acquired my first computer when I was 37. Same with the new photography. Much newer technology, more exposure to it early on.

Your slideshow comments reminded me of my Dad, whose vacation slideshows were well attended by friends and colleagues because he was an accomplished photographer as well as an entertaining lecturer. His 1000 words were well-crafted.

pokeyid Loc: Idaho

Your last paragraph says it all for me. I look forward to seeing your posts to see what I missed in my photos of the general area. I have learned much about composition for which I thank you.

lsupremo Loc: Palm Desert, CA

theoldman wrote:

I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!

I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).

Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.

If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.

I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)

I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.

Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.

The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )

A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )

The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).

Dave
The Old Man

I want to make an easily challenged statement abou... (show quote)

I agree, if you look at Ansel Adams, the Weston’s etc. they would still be wonderful images but there are hundreds maybe thousands of images as good or better you see ( maybe even create) today.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

Thank you for posting this subject. It allowed the responders to offer subjective and meaningful comments. There are so many posts on this forum that ask for subjective opinions on subjects such as which model camera A or B should I buy. That type of question could be better answered by a Google inquiry and get a side by side comparison where you could see the differences and similarities and make up your mind objectively. The photos posted are both interesting and I can't say whether the words added or detracted. I could enjoy them either way. Thanks again.

Sunrisepano Loc: West Sub of Chicago

I have seen many print judgings (competitions) and each print is presented to the judges with a title. The photographers think long and hard when determining a title. The prints are to be judged by the visual impact, presentation, content, etc., not the title. But, I believe as apparently the photographers themselves, that the brain of the judges has an internal connection between the title heard and the visual presentation of the image that affects the score given to the print.

jdedmonds

Retired CPO wrote:

Well, Old Man I think both of them are great. 10 words, 5 apiece. How does that work for you? Mark Twain said never use more words than necessary.

Strunk & White: "Omit unnecessary words."