About the contest.....

[BigSteveG]

There are 4 pix I really like. I'm not sure which to vote for because only two of them, IMHO, capture the spirit of HCB. Isn't the main criteria supposed to be a "decisive moment" type photo in the tradition of HCB?

 

[Rick Waldroup]

See, this is what happens when you have a contest. I did not enter this contest, in fact, I have never entered a photo contest. There is another forum I belong to that had a contest a few months back and I voiced this same opinion and people thought I was crazy. A photo contest, no matter how well meaning, almost always sprials out of control and it becomes something it never should, a massage of the ego. Just look at the posts on the thread about the final 12 photos and you will see what I mean.

Those final 12 photos are great shots. All of them. I know that the prize was a wonderful camera, and I was really tempted to submit a shot, but I still think that the basic premise of a photo contest is wrong. Now, having said all that, I still voted for what I thought was a beautiful shot out of the many beautiful shots. I'm just like everyone else, I want to vote on things put before me, but I would never enter any of my photos in a contest. Does any of this make any sense? I know I have been troubled by the tone of the remarks about the final photos since the top 12 shots were announced. Listen, don't mind me, these are just the ramblings of an old geezer who thinks that no one should tell you what the value of your photos are worth. To me, that is what photo contests represent.

 

[ch1]

See, this is what happens when you have a contest. I did not enter this contest, in fact, I have never entered a photo contest. There is another forum I belong to that had a contest a few months back and I voiced this same opinion and people thought I was crazy. A photo contest, no matter how well meaning, almost always sprials out of control and it becomes something it never should, a massage of the ego. Just look at the posts on the thread about the final 12 photos and you will see what I mean.

Those final 12 photos are great shots. All of them. I know that the prize was a wonderful camera, and I was really tempted to submit a shot, but I still think that the basic premise of a photo contest is wrong. Now, having said all that, I still voted for what I thought was a beautiful shot out of the many beautiful shots. I'm just like everyone else, I want to vote on things put before me, but I would never enter any of my photos in a contest. Does any of this make any sense? I know I have been troubled by the tone of the remarks about the final photos since the top 12 shots were announced. Listen, don't mind me, these are just the ramblings of an old geezer who thinks that no one should tell you what the value of your photos are worth. To me, that is what photo contests represent.

I will certainly agree with the first part - I won't bother with these kinds of contests anymore.

"Shooting like HCB" is so damned subjective that it has no real meaning. For instance, HCB's famous shot of the leaping man juxtaposed to the poster of the circus - was it "staged"? I don't know - some folks say "Yes" others say "No".

And then there is the prostitute leering though the door opening. Would she have allowed herself to be photographed if not asked first? Again, who knows?

Perhaps future contests, if there are any, should pick a subject matter and then folks are "freed up" to interpret it as they see fit - without having to ape someone else's style?

Just my 2 centavos.....

 

[Rick Waldroup]

Well George, we almost never agree on anything, but it is nice to see that someone else finds these types of exercises a little strange.

 

[Doug]

Rick & George, another here in agreement... 🙂

 

[BigSteveG]

Just to a little more clear on this....

Just to a little more clear on this....

I think all the photos are wonderful. But the contest was presented as using a specific criteria. That of HCB's style. And while it may be somewhat silly to "ape" someone's style, the purpose of the contest is still the same. Maybe it would've been better to solicit the "best example of rangefinder photography". That would've allowed for a wider range of subject matter including documentary and journalism.

 

[ch1]

I think all the photos are wonderful. But the contest was presented as using a specific criteria. That of HCB's style. And while it may be somewhat silly to "ape" someone's style, the purpose of the contest is still the same. Maybe it would've been better to solicit the "best example of rangefinder photography". That would've allowed for a wider range of subject matter including documentary and journalism.

As well another side of this discussion should be what is the "best example of rangefinder photography"?

As I see it - there has been an enormous upwelling of interest in RF photography (I am one of those) in the here and now. It is not a "dead, though loved, mode."

So perhaps contests that say "shoot in the HCB style" are treating RF photography as if it is "frozen" in amber and "out of its time"?

I am very much enjoying adding my RF gear to my kit while still also enjoying my SLR gear etc. (and I also have DSLR and digital P&S stuff).

I'm not "hung up" on historical progressions and the like. I still prefer to shoot film (but do also do digital) and sometimes use my RF's and SLR's together - often shooting the same shots with both!

I cannot deny that I enjoy looking at the work of the "masters" and, if only by exposure (pun intended), at times seek to emulate them. But I do strive to find my own "vision", as "lame" as it may be.....

 

[FrankS]

Don't obsess over HCB. Which photo do you like the best? It's no biggie.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I cannot deny that I enjoy looking at the work of the "masters" and, if only by exposure (pun intended), at times seek to emulate them. But I do strive to find my own "vision", as "lame" as it may be.....

Well put George although i'm sure your vision isn't "lame"

When the gallerys up and running again i'll be sure to take a look 🙂

 

[Kevin]

I think all the photos are wonderful. But the contest was presented as using a specific criteria. That of HCB's style. And while it may be somewhat silly to "ape" someone's style, the purpose of the contest is still the same. Maybe it would've been better to solicit the "best example of rangefinder photography". That would've allowed for a wider range of subject matter including documentary and journalism.

HBC's style focused on environmental portraits and the landscapes created by people. His are in fact documentary/journalistic photographs.

Unstaged/unposed environmental portraits are the most interesting pictures to look at and become even more precious over longer periods of time.

I hope the contest encouraged many members here to go out and try to create these kinds of images, which is extremely difficult to do well.

 

[rover]

Don't obsess over HCB. Which photo do you like the best? It's no biggie.

Words of wisdom. It is enjoyable to see all the great images that have been submitted and I am happy for the 12 finalist who have a chance to win the prize.

 

[remrf]

I just looked at the 12 photos. In my opinion only a few of them showed the "style" of HCB without being very nearly a copy of one of his photos. When I voted ( for the first and only time) I got a "you have already voted in this poll " message at the bottom of the poll results.

Huh?

 

[Bertram2]

As well another side of this discussion should be what is the "best example of rangefinder photography"?
.

"Rangefinder Photography" just another diffuse category like "In the spirit of HCB",
Artistic categories are always close to clichees and they are always diffuse.
Well suited as a projection screen for personal interpretations.
At the end people always beat each other up with their personal interpretations like with night sticks, a waste of time.

bertram

 

[BigSteveG]

ok..ok...

ok..ok...

Don't obsess over HCB. Which photo do you like the best? It's no biggie.

So I voted then....I suppose it doesn't really matter. All the pics are terrific.