Mini Challenge #215 – Distressing Places and Spaces

Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
edited October 27, 2015 in The Dgrin Challenges
Mini Challenge #215 – Distressing Places and Spaces

In all forms of art, many works, or parts of works, aim to create an emotional response in the audience. Quite often this is based on positive emotions, but often in Film, Opera, Dance, Music, Literature, Painting etc the opposite is also used to seek an emotional response – and they are often a rollercoaster ride between positive and negative emotions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra...on_of_emotions#

In my experience this “Dark Side” of sought negative emotional response seems underrepresented in Photography – we all like “nice” things. So as an experiment I want this mini to explore if anyone does deliberately take photos on a darker or less pleasant emotional nature.

To explore this concept I would like to see photographs of places or spaces where the photo is intended to create at least a little negative feeling, or some revulsion or distress in the viewer at the thought of being there.

Examples (for me) would include – Landscapes, seascapes or natural settings which have been damaged, ruined or the environment threatened by industry, rubbish pollution, general ugliness, disrupted natural beauty etc. In an urban setting it could be spaces or building interiors which are seriously distressed, abandoned or feel haunted and would probably be unpleasant to be in or perhaps cause unease or even feel threatening.

I would have liked to be broader in scope on this mini and include human nature, but I felt this was a step too far for this experiment which may already fall on its feet. So I’m not looking for people or animals doing negative things and only include people if they add to the distressful environment or just happen to be there. It is about negative environments.

For the avoidance of doubt, like most, I generally do not seek out to take photos like this but have met and respect some that do, and I’m not on some environmental crusade here.

I appreciate emotional reactions are a very personal thing, and I’ve no idea how I will judge this assuming more than one submission is made!

The competition will close 10 days from now 10pm Monday 26th October GMT.

UPDATE - No Close-ups of dead animals, no blood, dismembered animals or internals - and this applies to humans too.
Please show some self restraint and assume that your image might be part of the "News at 6" on the TV, might be viewed by minors and keep in mind that the shock of "gore" does not always trump emotional response created by laying out the framework of imagination in the viewers mind - for example Hitchcock.


Although I'm not necessarily expecting entries quite as edgy as some of these, here are a couple of mine...

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Comments

  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,005 Major grins
    edited October 14, 2015
    Would a photo of me trying to pass on the next challenge to you qualify ??
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • grandmaRgrandmaR Registered Users Posts: 1,942 Major grins
    edited October 14, 2015
    I thought I had a photo of a tire on a reef in Bonaire, and I do, but the color is so crappy (my camera battery was going) that I don't want to use it.

    This was my second thought. It is the original Jewish cemetery in Curacao. A refinery has been built next to it and the emissions have deteriorated some of the flat stones so that they are unreadable. This one has been protected by the little house built around it, so it is in somewhat better shape.

    100_3039.JPG

    This is from a set of photos that I call "Then and Now". The one that is the most distressing to me isn't going to mean much to most people - it is that my college dorm where I lived for three years is now a parking lot. I understand why they did it, but still.

    Then%252520and%252520Now1.jpg

    Not only is my dorm a parking lot, my science lab which was in an old church is now a modern music conservatory, the Carnegie library is now an office building and has been replaced by a monstrous new library.

    This is probably more what you had in mind. I took this photo from a plane in 1958 - someplace around Pittsburgh (because in those days when you flew from Cleveland to D.C., you stopped in Pittsburgh on the way). It shows strip mining.

    0085-00740010.JPG
    “"..an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." G.K. Chesterton”
  • ThelensspotThelensspot Registered Users Posts: 2,041 Major grins
    edited October 14, 2015
    Interesting idea, Alan...very interesting. I'll search my photographs and get back to you with some postings!
    "Photography is partly art and partly science. Really good photography adds discipline, sacrifice and a never ending pursuit of photographic excellence"...ziggy53

  • DonRicklinDonRicklin Registered Users Posts: 5,551 Major grins
    edited October 15, 2015
    My three:

    1) Me observing the Swan in squalor.

    IMGP1169-L.jpg

    2) The woodland 'Still'? or Bong...

    IMGP2342-L.jpg

    3) Wasted! Party On, Hobo Squat.

    IMGP6894-L.jpg

    Don
    Don Ricklin - Gear: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, was Pentax K7
    'I was older then, I'm younger than that now' ....
    My Blog | Q+ | Moderator, Lightroom Forums | My Amateur Smugmug Stuff | My Blurb book Rust and Whimsy. More Rust , FaceBook
    .
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited October 15, 2015
    Plastic bag, Sir?
    Hardly a contender for various reasons, but appropriate, I thought?

    Taken within my local venue after a period of severe flooding about 6.5 yrs ago... junk from the city got washed downstream and ended up like this when the 'Noah's Ark stuff' subsided.

    pp
  • GSPePGSPeP Registered Users Posts: 3,728 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2015
    1. Inside a WWI fortress

    IMG_9696-XL.jpg

    2. Dumped instead of recycled

    IMG_0899-XL.jpg

    3. After the storm

    IMG_5027-XL.jpg
  • Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2015
    There's some truly ugly negative stuff here ... well done and keep them coming.

    Alan.
  • aj986saj986s Registered Users Posts: 1,100 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2015
    Forgotten
    IMG_6628-L.jpg

    Raw
    IMG_7161-L.jpg

    Once Grand
    IMG_4566-X2.jpg
    Tony P.
    Canon 50D, 30D and Digital Rebel (plus some old friends - FTB and AE1)
    Long-time amateur.....wishing for more time to play
    Autocross and Track junkie
    tonyp.smugmug.com
  • CavalierCavalier Registered Users Posts: 3,030 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2015
    A tough but interesting subject. These are the only ones I found that could be considered distressing.

    Left-overs in central California

    IMG_1679%20bw%20cropped%20bw%20with%20color-X2.jpg




    The Pflug house in Washington State.

    IMG_1184%20cropped%2C%20topaz%2C%20oil-X2.jpg

    the Murphy house in Hornitos, Ca.

    MurphyHouseHDRRework-X2.jpg
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2015
    Rat city
    Title is term used to describe the destination of my photo trips to mrs pp.

    Just a 'record' shot of a location we happened upon during a walk one evening. Were going across a cycle /pedestrian bridge over a stream on the boundary of a couple of local schools ...and saw activity.

    I returned with gear and eventually got the (sort of) shot I was after ...as per pic in post 12 here
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=228609&highlight=rodent

    pp
  • travelwaystravelways Registered Users Posts: 7,854 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2015
    Great subjet!!!

    1. Ghost houses in Newfoundland

    Trinity Bay,Newfoundland, Canada

    2. Ecological disaster in Baja California, Mexico



    3. Belize City - a dangerous place

    Tatiana - Seeing the world through my camera
    TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
    VegasGreatAttractions.com
    Travelways.com
  • ThelensspotThelensspot Registered Users Posts: 2,041 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2015
    Here are two I'll add.

    This is a large paper mill located on the York River near where I live in Va. (No, the bird was not added in PP'ing.)

    DSC_2517-8-XL.jpg

    Closed furniture plant stacks from Smyth County Va.

    DSC_1736-edit-1-8-XL.jpg
    "Photography is partly art and partly science. Really good photography adds discipline, sacrifice and a never ending pursuit of photographic excellence"...ziggy53

  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2015
    Statistic
    ... just another

    pp
  • Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2015
    Update - New Rules will be added here shortly ...

    After seeing Pauls latest image just before going to bed, I have just got up again to consider and type this (3 am here!).

    Firstly, Paul - I do not feel your image over steps the mark within the brief, and I do think it has an emotional message to covey and have no issue with it, however it is a prompt ...

    Whilst "Art" does not have boundaries to what is presented (eg Texas Chainsaw etc, Damiens Half Sheep or the culturally shocking unresolved discord in Tristan and Isolde by Wagner when first performed) minors are protected from being subjected to extreme imagery, and it is not inconceivable that there may be young photographers in Smugmug that could take part in this, and that possibility is playing on my conscience. Yes I know worse can (if sought) be seen all over the internet or in many movies today, but I feel some degree of additional restraint needs to be introduced here.

    A new rule which I will add to the introduction ...
    No Close-ups of dead animals, no blood, dismembered animals or internals - and this applies to humans too.


    Please show some self restraint and assume that your image might be part of the "News at 6" on the TV, might be viewed by minors and keep in mind that the shock of "gore" does not always trump emotional response created by laying out the framework of imagination in the viewers mind - for example Hitchcock.

    Paul - For the avoidance of doubt I am neither asking or suggesting you remove your image.

    I sincerely apologise to everyone for this adjustment, it is not easy subject, but I still think it a subject worth exploring for those willing to take part.

    Alan
  • Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2015
    PS - Please feel free to discuss if you have a view.
    I have views of course, but never claim that they are correct or even that there are "correct" views on such subjects.

    Alan
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited October 21, 2015
    Taken Boxing Day 2010, walking along the North Circular Rd to Gunnersbury Pk, Ealing, London.
    Considering the nature of the previous day's festivities, it struck sufficient of a chord to warrant me stopping and taking pics.

    pp

    edit

    Tables turned ...for the red one,anyway ... in this far better shot.
    Comp has a young snapper section, and I suspect these entrants would be looking at /studying such pics for inspiration etc?

    http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/gallery/2015/images/mammals/4965/a-tale-of-two-foxes.html
  • JeroenJeroen Registered Users Posts: 447 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2015
    1.

    5598248977_d83599bf63_z.jpg

    2.

    4573886547_a493870a7b_o.jpg

    3.

    4573886535_4c8cc4c01e_o.jpg
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,005 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2015
    The new Calif
    California in advanced Demo I think this shot would be something in the realm what you are looking for ? I drove by this awhile back and it drew my eyes off the road ,as much of this as you now see in So Cal this one got my attention ?? As I stood and took a couple shots, turned to walk away [maybe 1 second] a crash in the intersection ,one car running the red at hi speed and the other going for a speed thru yellow .I did not even want the shot of what I saw.If I had shot 2 more frames the wreck would have bin in frameheadscratch.gif For those not from Calif this is living space it goes on for 2 blocks . Across the street is a home depot ,dental office ,in an out berger etc.
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2015
    Very challenging and interesting theme Alan!


    Field of Souls
    Fort%20Rosecrans-XL.jpg


    Don't Smoke
    Still%20Life%20with%20Butts-XL.jpg


    Rooms for Rent - Cheap
    Hotel-XL.jpg
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
    edited October 26, 2015
    This Challenge is now closed and I'll post the results in the morning (UK)
    Many thanks to all who have taken part.

    Alan
  • Alans GrinAlans Grin Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
    edited October 27, 2015
    I have posted the results here ....

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=255761

    Alan
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