[snip]
Rumours that some Challenge posters are directly ripping off other
people's ideas and techniques...
(...and more)
Well, I for one am still waiting for a
serious explanation on
that one.
Maybe there's something we're entitled to await ... maybe not. Seems to me that explanations for both instances were given — one within a thread in this forum and the other within the now deleted comments on the image in question.
In the case of the current instance, I recall that at least two people left comments noting that it was a well established macro technique, legitimately developed and executed. While I personally would have tried to compose it differently (different vehicle supporting the drop maybe), isn't that beside the point? Even granted that the makeup of this shot is the same as another, I'll wager that more people around the world have tried shooting liquid splash coronas and dripping taps, for example, than any one of us has had hot dinners. Is that to say that only one person's entitled to attempt such a shot and, moreover, to publish the result if it's a good one?
In the case of the earlier, resurrected shot, the similarity to another POTD published elsewhere is both uncanny and unfortunate, especially since it extends as far as the title. But again, an explanation was given. To still hang out for a further "explanation" is to admit that we refuse to believe what's been said already. We will have all formed our own private opinions on this, but if we want more then we should be prepared to put up the money and say exactly why. Failing that, it's now time for us to accept graciously what's been proffered and shut up.
As I said, uncanny and unfortunate, and if really done with conscious awareness and intent, then rather unwise — but naive more than plagiaristic: while creativity is a big thing, I suspect that technique and resulting image quality would have to be closer to the "official" bottom line in this particular arena. And the poster involved has well and truly demonstrated his mastery of both aspects very well and on numerous occasions. This is hardly a bumbling rookie who needs to struggle for recognition through subterfuge.
I'm no stranger to coincidence, and I would venture to suggest that the title of that shot is pretty much a household phrase. Even down here in Oz we would recognise it as a marketing catch phrase for CA fruit, for example. And not only fruit ... does no-one else recall the Jolson standard "California, here I come!" btw? Google just gave me 20,100 hits on the phrase.
Yes, I winced at the similarities too, and yes, I'm playing Devil's Advocate here. Now I may have missed the odd thread, but but I've not heard of anyone else's comments being deleted. Are we talking about an equal coincidence? I'm sure that it has crossed other minds, as well, that the deletion of those comments could be some individual's vigilante response to alleged "crimes", under the convenient cloak of anonymity that the sftchallenge logon affords. The STF prides itself on an almost singularly cordial, friendly and typically non-judgemental atmosphere. But if this turn of events (I'm talking only about the deletions here) is really how we want to play it then we should consider shutting down the entire forum right here and now. And I don't think any of us really wants that...
Mike
