ch37 - protest signs

[DoctorIt]

It's been a while since I had a go at a challenge. So here it is, I'll give people a chance to get back at me (I haven't stopped commenting, just entering myself :wink). This was shot last week at the big protest we had for the graduate student and support workers at UMass.

original:
http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/20256085-M.jpg

With some work, it became a little stronger. Removed some distractions up at the top, burned the lighter concrete, all in an effort to make the signs stand out. A little closer crop as well.
http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/20511296-M.jpg

[DoctorIt]

I see my recent comments may have been too harsh, I'm totally getting the cold shoulder eh?

No matter, I've got lots more comments for everyone else to keep busy with :wink

[Sandy]

I like your photo, but I am not sure if the repetition needs to be uniform. I also feel like I get the cold shoulder at times and my comments are not that harsh.

[Angelo]

Erik:

Powerful and creative! I love this shot on many levels - that it captures a tangible moment in time with a human factor not least among them. :thumb

ps: I like your edited version

[wxwax]

I like the stronger blue, but not how the wall looks. Also, I'm not sure the pattern is dominant enough. Right now it feels to me like it's a shot of signs leaning against a wall, not a visual statement about patterns.

Cold shoulder, eh? Surely not? Perhaps it's just that folks don't know what to say? Although you are a real SOB, you SOB. :):

[mercphoto]

http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/20511296-M.jpg

I dunno. Doesn't do much for me. Well, nothing positive at any rate. Doesn't tell me what they are protesting, or why. My first emotion was one of blackmailing -- give us a contract or we'll make your life miserable. Not sure that wast he emotion you were trying to convey.

[DoctorIt]

Aw come on, you know I wasn't trying to guilt anyone into commenting. I mean come on, its me!!! 90% of my posts are lacking in substance and rather making fun of waxy, patch, or gus :lol3


As for the signs, I don't feel a strong enough repetitive pattern either. But if this was photojournalism patterns, I'd love it. That's all I was going for, venturing into PJ, just happened to catch some pattern. I'm warming up to this challenge. Some scenes on campus caught my eye this morning...

Waxy, I agree, looking in the browser, the red brick got a not so nice hue to it. Always happens, decent in PS, not so decent in browser.



Hey waxy :bad

[Lucky Hack]

Doesn't grab me, but like you said, it would be a good shot for the newspaper. BTW Where are all the people who are supposed to be holding the signs? That would have spiced it up a bit. And I really enjoy your critiques, they are substantive and specific, don't worry, you haven't crushed me with your critiques (sniff, sniff) :cry :cry :rofl :rofl :rofl

hoping this message finds you well -ian

[DoctorIt]

Doesn't grab me, but like you said, it would be a good shot for the newspaper. BTW Where are all the people who are supposed to be holding the signs?I have lots more protests shot with people, here (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10163).



but nobody liked that thread either :lol3

[samandsophie]

woo hoo! Go Umass!

[ginger_55]

Doctor It and Sid, I would appreciate it if you would go over to my thread saying More Chal Shots, or something like that.

Here:

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10366


and comment on my Bridge shots. I respect everyone's opinion, the people who have given it, but, as you all say, you haven't been "here" as much as you used to be, I respect your opinions, and I am having a devil of a time with the bridge things........

I could put them up and say "well I like them and the H with what everyone thinks, they are a local thing, a Charleston occasion: new bridge is replacing old bridge that is then going to swim at the bottom of the ocean with the fishes". Who cares but us............who live here.

But it is bothering me. I, personally, am always going to love the blk and white of that shot, but I don't know what I am going to do about the challenge.

I would certainly appreciate it if both of you would run over and give a critique of them. I had one friend from the dog club say, "I don't like them at all, and furthermore, that type you use, I don't like it either, especially not on those photos, but I never have liked it".

Her husband is undergoing chemo, another round started this week, and that is what we are attributing her bluntness to. But I am quite sure she meant what she said. And she is my age ish, and was a pro photographer, so..... carries a bit of weight.

If that is what you want to say I am going to be surprised at the bluntness, but it would be educational. I have tried different types, last night. I also tried to fix an aberration on the print, and I think I was successful, or successful enough.

Now, I, who am not in shape and am overweight, I am feeling very guilty that I don't want to climb to the top of the bridge to take photos of the marsh with its winding creeks at high tide???

So, if you could wander to that site, I would appreciate it.

Andy, you too, if you have the time. I could not go to the farmer's market. The weather was more than grey, and so was I, I mean I had to rest. Particularly since there was no sun to shine on any fruit.

I think my photo is OK technically, but because of my audience, I am wondering why the color shot seems to be preferred, see my daughter's critique in last night's last post from me. I think I have repetitive.
But I am concerned that the "hook" is totally lost.

I can't enter the bike shots, someone else has fine bike shots up there.

Thank you,
ginger

[ginger_55]

Sorry, I stole your thread Doctor It. I thought I might get yours and Sid's attention here, and I would appreciate your (s) opinion (s).

Now your signs, could you work with it a bit. Closer together, with people looking angry, but the emphasis on the signs.

I hate to say it, but I kinda agree with the person who said they kind of looked like signs leaning against a wall. They just don't move. Signs like that, we expect them to "move". And, for this challenge, blatant, artistic repetitiveness seems to be what is in. So if you could shove the signs together, come in closer, and somehow give them life............that may be a bit much to ask, and I have a bunch of shots with the same problem, but that would be my critique.

I love your stuff, remember how we all used to "work" this challenge to death.
Wonder if we ever slept.

ginger (some people still do that, they beat the heck out of me.)

[DoctorIt]

Sorry, I stole your thread Doctor It. I thought I might get yours and Sid's attention here, and I would appreciate your (s) opinion (s).

Now your signs, could you work with it a bit. Closer together, with people looking angry, but the emphasis on the signs.

I hate to say it, but I kinda agree with the person who said they kind of looked like signs leaning against a wall. They just don't move. Signs like that, we expect them to "move". And, for this challenge, blatant, artistic repetitiveness seems to be what is in. So if you could shove the signs together, come in closer, and somehow give them life............that may be a bit much to ask, and I have a bunch of shots with the same problem, but that would be my critique.

I love your stuff, remember how we all used to "work" this challenge to death.
Wonder if we ever slept.

ginger (some people still do that, they beat the heck out of me.)Protest is over, so I think this one is dead. It's definitely not strong enough for the challenge. But it has motivated me to get out on campus, we have lots of patterns. Now if it would only stop pouring outside!!!

I left you some comments on your thread too :thumb
(i've been formulating them for a day or two now actually)

[snapapple]

Hi Erik,
I have not been ignoring anyone. My computer has been on the blink. After they put in the new mother board, everything else is out of whack. I won't be able to spend any more time on it until after my vacation. At least I got my internet working again and had a few minutes to put up another shot here.

About your signs, I think they make a good photo, but not a strong enough pattern for the challenge. I know you'll find something better. There's still a little time. Glad to see you making a stab at the challenge.

[bfjr]

If the bricks encompassed everything but the signs, get rid of whatever is behind the signs and put the bricks there (i know not easy :wxwax), then you got a challenge photo. :thumb

But like I been saying all day, I don't know Jack, Bill, Susan, Fred or anybody or anything ever never have never will :lol4 :lol :hide

Oh and you never comment on my threads, :lol4 :hide again. maybe I should not of said that, cause you'll probably come visit and tear into me :hide again and again :hide :lol4