A pox on the side effects of competition which seem to me to
comprise some of the negative energy I have seen here.
When I take pics, I am always looking to see something with a new
vision. Sometimes it succeeds and sometimes it bombs. I love the
work of Brassai, Magritte and (thanks Hedgehog and debadguy)
Kubrick. They have impressed me so much that their footsteps lie
indelibly on my unconscious, as particular images or bodies of work
do for all of us (or so I imagine).
The challenge has, for me simply been fun. I have noticed pic
resemblances along the way and absolutely not stopped for a second
thought, nor will I when this discussion is history.
I strive to be different, perhaps too much. When entering a flower
in the latest challenge I was berating myself for not being more
imaginative, and also thinking that including a flower was too much
like the other stuff i saw out there. I justified it on the basis
of the very soft and almost dull shades it had- then it was
sufficiently different for me.
I would like to urge all of you to use the tools we have in place.
We have the option to comment or not, to vote or not. Personally
speaking I value comments above votes. If I don't get 'em I feel I
have fallen short of my goals. The best way to get me out of the
forum is to ignore what I do. That might be true for others. If
for whatever reason you feel negatively about an image then my
suggestion is to ignore it completely. It's hard for me to imagine
a person continuing for long with no comments or votes. By the
same token i would urge all of us to encourage, encourage,
encourage those who are really trying and struggling to improve
their work.
In STF we are a band of brothers and sisters, it's a bit like a
family with acquaintances dropping in from time to time. Let's
treat each other well, give others the benefit of the doubt and
focus (pardon the word) our energy on what brung us here in the
first place which is analyzing and improving our art, making it the
best it can be.....and then better.
Humbly,
Fremiet
AVB (and all others who would vacate the forum over this issue)
First, no apology is required IMHO. I understood your intent.
Humans are so predictable. When this thread first started, anyone
with human psyche knowledge could have predicted this very outcome.
It started with a very noble intention... to defuse a growing
issue. Was the issue with fledglings, or, rather, with those who
have established themselves as icons within this forum and their
craft? The discussion quickly turned from "getting it out in the
open", to taking sides, to personal jabs, to accusations,
judgement,....anger. Totally predictable. We are all 7 year olds
at heart when it comes to this kind of thing. Easily hurt.
We are all victims of our human emotion, ego, and pride, but
especially those with accomplishments, who have worked hard at
their craft wear their emotion, ego, and pride way out on their
shirtsleeve. This has a devastating effect when artistic ethics
are questioned, insinuations are lobbed, intentions misinterpreted.
I completely understand how you can convince yourself that this is
the best course of action for you, and I really do respect that
only you can know what is best for you. However, please reconsider
your decision. Why? Because you are an important feature of this
forum. Your presence is a blessing to those of us (like me) who
gather knowledge from every tidbit of info or shot you post (and
others like you).
You have the power to overcome this, to deny your conflicting
emotion in favor of your love for this thing that you have become
so proficient at.
Put your work back in the Challenge, even if your heart is not in
it right now. This will be an important step toward starting the
healing process and getting back to the real issue... photography,
and creating the best work you can with the knowledge and resources
you have.
) or the