Scores are just an abstract concept

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/12/2014 09:11:18 AM · #1

Originally posted by LN13:

I think I may get my first sub-5 since July, 2006. And I've come to terms with that.

In an odd twist, my score went UP on the final day. It was like Bizarro World.

Abra

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/11/2014 11:56:26 PM · #2

Won't make 100 votes but very happy with the score and comments.

Votes: 98
Views: 228
Avg Vote: 6.3469
Comments: 5

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/11/2014 11:43:05 PM · #3

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Doing decently, but has dropped a lot from the solid 6+ it held for most of the week. I've decided that abstracts are a hard sell on DPC, even in an abstract specific challenge.

+ 100

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/11/2014 11:41:40 PM · #4

Doing decently, but has dropped a lot from the solid 6+ it held for most of the week. I've decided that abstracts are a hard sell on DPC, even in an abstract specific challenge.

Jackson_H

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/11/2014 11:28:18 PM · #5

Originally posted by LN13:

After voting, I understand why mine is doing so poorly.

I'm in the same boat, this will be my worst score to date. I still like the image but I should have payed better attention to the challenge.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

03/11/2014 01:58:15 PM · #6

After voting, I understand why mine is doing so poorly.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

03/11/2014 01:36:34 PM · #7

Abstract Motion Blur
Votes: 87
Views: 194
Avg Vote: 4.8391
Comments: 1

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

03/11/2014 11:39:08 AM · #8

Originally posted by Cory:

...
The posts he hid weren't really discussing this. They were simply jousting. :D

I knew that. :-P I took issue with the way something else was posted. Will save that for another time (if needed) ... Thanks tho!

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/11/2014 10:54:21 AM · #9

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
"...Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail."

I find nothing to argue with in this statement. That's exactly what I consider the process of abstraction to be. As in: the sense that a stick figure drawn by a child is a pure abstraction of the human form.

Where I'm taking issue here, is with those who would say "if it's recognizable it's not abstract". Nonsense! ESPECIALLY when we're dealing with "abstract motion blur", where if you push "non-recognizable" far enough you end up with nothing but blurry, amorphous images that owe nothing to the SOURCE of the motion.

... and you see that's where we disagree substantially. Abstract does not need a "source". That's what makes it abstract. If you want to debate this and post STRONGLY one way, then the other viewpoints should be allowed to stand on their merit as well.

Art is opinionated. So be it.

However, if all points aren't allowed, then hide yours as well.

The posts he hid weren't really discussing this. They were simply jousting. :D

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/11/2014 09:07:11 AM · #10

I think I may get my first sub-5 since July, 2006. And I've come to terms with that.

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

03/11/2014 06:46:55 AM · #11

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
"...Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail."

I find nothing to argue with in this statement. That's exactly what I consider the process of abstraction to be. As in: the sense that a stick figure drawn by a child is a pure abstraction of the human form.

Where I'm taking issue here, is with those who would say "if it's recognizable it's not abstract". Nonsense! ESPECIALLY when we're dealing with "abstract motion blur", where if you push "non-recognizable" far enough you end up with nothing but blurry, amorphous images that owe nothing to the SOURCE of the motion.

... and you see that's where we disagree substantially. Abstract does not need a "source". That's what makes it abstract. If you want to debate this and post STRONGLY one way, then the other viewpoints should be allowed to stand on their merit as well.

Art is opinionated. So be it.

However, if all points aren't allowed, then hide yours as well.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

03/11/2014 12:59:46 AM · #12

this is my best for a long time, hopefully its well off the brown which I hungered for not so many months ago.

Its given me a photographic boost and good feeling of progress.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/11/2014 12:37:04 AM · #13

I'm rather sorry I missed the degradation of this thread...

Oh well! Back to scores...

Votes: 78
Views: 191
Avg Vote: 5.5897
Comments: 4
Favorites: 1

Message edited by author 2014-03-11 00:37:19.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/11/2014 12:22:46 AM · #14

I hid 4 posts that really weren't contributing anything but bickering to the discussion. Just let it go, folks, OK?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/08/2014 05:47:49 PM · #15

Originally posted by glad2badad:

"...Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail."

I find nothing to argue with in this statement. That's exactly what I consider the process of abstraction to be. As in: the sense that a stick figure drawn by a child is a pure abstraction of the human form.

Where I'm taking issue here, is with those who would say "if it's recognizable it's not abstract". Nonsense! ESPECIALLY when we're dealing with "abstract motion blur", where if you push "non-recognizable" far enough you end up with nothing but blurry, amorphous images that owe nothing to the SOURCE of the motion.

Message edited by author 2014-03-08 17:48:17.

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

03/08/2014 03:51:05 PM · #16

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

The classic definition of "abstraction" is to reduce a thing to its essential elements. I have earned money doing abstracts of books. They allow busy people to more thoughtfully put together reading lists on an unfamiliar topic, for example. This insistence by so many people that an abstraction is, by definition, unrecognizable seems way off base to me.

Will all due respect Bear ... this challenge is not "Abstract" alone, it is "Abstract Motion Blur", and it's about Photography. For many, Abstract by itself does mean a mostly unrecognizable object/thing/subject, and then when you toss in the concept Motion Blur if gets even more complicated. I can easily see how it is interpreted that this challenge should consist of unrecognizable items.

To reassure myself I did what anyone can do and Googled the subject. Many opinions out there for sure.

Here's a definition that seemed close to right for me in regards to "Abstract Photography" in general (not addressing the "Motion Blur" aspect of added complexity).

From DesignYourWay:
"Abstract photography is a process of using colors and patterns combined to create an image, with no true meaning or no clear subject involved. Abstract photography is not necessarily going to mean the same thing to everyone, it can be something different for each of us. Abstract photography leaves more to the imagination and helps us concentrate on texture and color rather than the whole subject."

Another example by Ron Bigelow (perhaps with a better attached article):
"There is no standard, universally accepted definition of abstract photography. Actually, it is not easy to create a clear-cut definition of an abstract concept. However, for the purposes of this article series, it is necessary to create a definition in order to put some boundaries around the topic. This makes it easier to determine what falls within the domain of the subject matter. Thus, for this article series, abstract photography will be defined as photography that:

Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail."

edit to fix a typo.

Message edited by author 2014-03-08 15:51:41.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/08/2014 03:23:16 PM · #17

cutout

Canon EOS-20D

03/08/2014 02:18:30 PM · #18

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by cutout:
Votes: 60
Views: 112
Avg Vote: 5.6000
Comments: 2

I'll race you.

Abstract Motion Blur
Votes: 61
Views: 111
Avg Vote: 5.6066
Comments: 3
Favorites: 0

you going ahead on comments already
and thats what really counts
never mind the votes of the SANSE CULOTTE

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/08/2014 11:49:20 AM · #19

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by hahn23:

Originally posted by pgirish007:

Originally posted by hahn23:
Votes: 23
Views: 38
Avg Vote: 4.8696
Comments: 1

Very happy with my shot, as it shows motion blur and is abstract.

I felt the same way but got a hit that it does not meet challenge though still maintaining my lowest score ever :)

Received a similar hint myself, suggesting my entry was not abstract.

Yup -- at 4.6, two comments saying it's not abstract. I appreciate the comments greatly, because I would have thought it was simply because they didn't like the photo. However, both liked it, they just didn't consider it abstract.

I appreciate this, because my definition of abstract was much more liberal, and I see where they're coming from. And in looking up the definition in a couple of places, the definition seems to fit with their comments.

hmmm... looks like I'm not going to get that 4.... Currently it's at 5.06

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/08/2014 11:47:43 AM · #20

Originally posted by cutout:

Votes: 60
Views: 112
Avg Vote: 5.6000
Comments: 2

I'll race you.

Abstract Motion Blur
Votes: 61
Views: 111
Avg Vote: 5.6066
Comments: 3
Favorites: 0