Welcome to the voting thread for June's official "Black and White" photo contest (#58)!
You can vote for up to 17 photos.
Good luck to all participants!

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[bluebronco]

Not a problem. Opinions are just that. I would stay away from making blanket statements though.

Just my 2¢

[Jessesdad]

Well, my photo is of my son and I'm 100% sure that I think it's better than what it is. Of course I'm biased. But then I have a lot of photos of people I love and I still think this one works pretty well as a photo. Taste is subjective. Light, design, framing, technique all matter. But in the end a picture speaks for itself. It can't speak to everyone though.

For example, I could happily never see another photo of: someone else's girlfriend, over-made-up models, ducks, mountain sides, rusty metal, street people being exploited for a 'gritty' image, FLOWERS, dogs, cats (even though I love them), 'interesting' architecture, reflective chrome on a vehicle, tree-bark or insects. At least today. Tomorrow I'll be out shooting and I'll be convinced that all those things are essential pictures that I need to take.

Don't like a photo - don't vote for it. Easy.

[Tord]

Actually it isn't. When I started to go to the local photoclub, the first thing they said was, don't bring pictures of your kids. As you almost always think the picture is better than it actually is.

I once was part of a photoclub that didn't allow sunsets, so I can see the need of keeping your own kids to the minimum. I personally have a thing against flowers in B&W - I did take a lot of that 40 years ago, none really worked - here one, or two, were OK, the rest ....

But I do love the diversity of the photos, great mix!

[buster110]

I, for one, am tired of seeing snapshots of people's kids.

I'm sure you think your kid is the best thing to grace the face of this Earth, but it's just another kid to the rest of us.

I'm sure "My snapshot" is one of the photo's that offends you to the point that you felt it necessary to belittle someone else's work... but obviously before you decided to open your mouth and voice your opinion, you didn't take the time to think that for many of us, our children are the only consistent subject we get to shoot? My guess is that you didn't.

I would love it if I could take off and shoot whenever I could, picking the subject matter I wanted, taking the time to thoroughly think though what I'm going to shoot and make it happen. In reality, I own a small business, I try to stay fit and most importantly I spend my remaining free time with my family. So, I'm sorry my personal life ruined your day.

I shoot as much as I can, when I can, like everyone else on this forum who's HOBBY is photography. I try to get up early, I try to break away on vacation to shoot during good light hours and I certainly try to shoot a variety of subjects, when I can. But reality dictates that the majority of my shots are usually going to be mid day, rushed and taken when whatever subject is in front of my lens at that given moment. And that subject is usually my eight year old.

My daughter plays a huge part in my development as a photographer. She's readily available. I usually take my time with her. She's patient enough to allow me to bracket, adjust composition and work on different techniques.

There are many pictures in these contests that are not really my cup of tea either, but I appreciate them taking the time to post them and let me see into a little bit of their life. As long as it fits within the rules, who gives a #$%t what someone else posts.

My suggestion to you, is to think before you make blanket, rude statements....

and for the post about photography clubs.... I've belonged to several clubs in the past too. I've had good an bad teachers. I've been told some pretty idiotic things by people who feel their opinions are the word of god...but the one thing that I has always come back to, was from my high school art teacher, who told us that art is what you interpret of a subject, regardless of the subject.

[RXrenesis8]

As long as it fits within the rules, who gives a #$%t what someone else posts.

My suggestion to you, is to think before you make blanket, rude statements....

It just sounded to me like he was simply expressing his disinterest in the multitude of child photos he's seen over the years. Much in the same way I would not be fond of the same meal, even if it was my favorite, if served every day for a month.

FWIW: it did not sound like he was directing it at you, and he certainly did not sound offended, merely tired.

[buster110]

FWIW: it did not sound like he was directing it at you, and he certainly did not sound offended, merely tired.

I never said it was directed totally at me, but by his statement in general, it was directed to me and to anyone else who posted a picture of a child.

I don't like peaches, but I'm not going to come up to someone in the grocery store and say, "I'm sure you think peaches are just delicious, but I'm tired of them and the store should just get rid of them."

It was a rude statement and something he should have thought twice about making.

It's no different when in the past someone says they're tired of sunsets, birds, bugs, flowers, macro, girlfriends, mountains, etc, etc. To the person who took said photo, and is proud of it, it's a slap in thier face. It's their expression, who cares if you don't like it. Vote for someone else. I mean how long does it take you to skip over a photo.

[les3547]

I, for one, am tired of seeing snapshots of people's kids.

I'm sure you think your kid is the best thing to grace the face of this Earth, but it's just another kid to the rest of us.

First of all, you were rude.

Second, children are just about the most beautiful beings in existence. I sure hope people don't stop posting pictures of children.

Third, what hasn't been done to death? If we eliminate subject matter based on what someone is sick of seeing, we'd likely have nobody participating.

Fourth, there are all levels of photographers here . . . do you want to say someone just learning or trying out something for the first time, something that others may have done a million times, is not welcome? Why not welcome everyone, and encourage people to keep shooting and learn?

Finally, a child, like anyone, can be a great subject for a portrait. I liked the photographer's use of light in #48, and I thought #153 might be the best portrait of the lot. Now that I think about it, from now on I may vote for every single shot of a child I see!

---

Last edited by les3547; 07-05-2011 at 02:06 PM.

[sergysergy]

Suggestion for the next month...Theme: Kids

(I am too young to have children but I think some of those shots are cool)

[Macario]

And that is excactly the reason why you should be carefull of submiting pictures of your kids to a contest. Especially if they can be commented. You will always get critizised if a picture is no good. And that is not nice, and it is even worse, alot worse when it is a picture of your own kids. And yes I have kids, and yes I have been there, so I do know what I am saying. After all the critism, I looked at my pics again, and I had to admid, they were not contest material at all, I just didn´t see it because they were my kids. Would I now submit pics of my kids? Yes I would, because I have learned to look different at them. I have tons of them, which I am very happy to show them, but to enter a contest, I really just have a handfull which are up to that.
So yes I think all levels are allowed to enter contests, but in my opinion don´t do it with pics of your kids, if you cannot take the critism if somebody does not think they are good. because why are all levels allowed to enter, if somebody else is not allowed to say that a photo is not good (ok, there are nice ways and bad ways to say it)

[les3547]

And that is excactly the reason why you should be carefull of submiting pictures of your kids to a contest. Especially if they can be commented. You will always get critizised if a picture is no good. And that is not nice, and it is even worse, alot worse when it is a picture of your own kids. And yes I have kids, and yes I have been there, so I do know what I am saying. After all the critism, I looked at my pics again, and I had to admid, they were not contest material at all, I just didn´t see it because they were my kids. Would I now submit pics of my kids? Yes I would, because I have learned to look different at them. I have tons of them, which I am very happy to show them, but to enter a contest, I really just have a handfull which are up to that.
So yes I think all levels are allowed to enter contests, but in my opinion don´t do it with pics of your kids, if you cannot take the critism if somebody does not think they are good. because why are all levels allowed to enter, if somebody else is not allowed to say that a photo is not good (ok, there are nice ways and bad ways to say it)

If someone posts in the area of the forum where critique is invited, then that's where to offer criticism. Or if someone posts an inappropriate picture, that deserves criticism.

But why do we need criticism of any sort whatsoever in a contest where the contributors are mainly amateurs trying to learn and have fun? It is not a gathering of professionals or students hoping to be professionals, and sometimes those most critical here aren't all that qualified to judge. Personally I absolutely love successful children shots, and wouldn't want to discourage anyone trying to get it right (as you apparently have).

The contest is decided by votes, and that is how we "comment" in this type of thread; in other areas of the forum, when no comments are posted about photos, that is also a type of critique. Given this is a social, supportive and learning forum, it seems to me that when it comes to the very sensitive subject of other's work, we should keep our critical comments to ourselves unless opinions are invited.

[buster110]

And that is excactly the reason why you should be carefull of submiting pictures of your kids to a contest. Especially if they can be commented. You will always get critizised if a picture is no good. And that is not nice, and it is even worse, alot worse when it is a picture of your own kids. And yes I have kids, and yes I have been there, so I do know what I am saying. After all the critism, I looked at my pics again, and I had to admid, they were not contest material at all, I just didn´t see it because they were my kids. Would I now submit pics of my kids? Yes I would, because I have learned to look different at them. I have tons of them, which I am very happy to show them, but to enter a contest, I really just have a handfull which are up to that.
So yes I think all levels are allowed to enter contests, but in my opinion don´t do it with pics of your kids, if you cannot take the critism if somebody does not think they are good. because why are all levels allowed to enter, if somebody else is not allowed to say that a photo is not good (ok, there are nice ways and bad ways to say it)

I agree with you wholeheartedly, while not a professional photographer, I do own a small advertising agency and there isn't a day that I don't have to have thick skin. The difference here though is that we are not talking about criticism, we're talking about making a poorly thought out statement that was rather offensive. (In my opinion)

The point that I'm making and several others have as well, is that this is a place to learn. We are all on different levels with different abilities, different equipment and most importantly different view points on what makes a good photo. Right or wrong. Whether you thinking none of the shots in question are contest worthy is your opinion and you can vote for something else. Les on the other hand has found several he likes...which is his opinion.

The last thing we need is for people to feel that they're going to be ridiculed for their submission and in the end, stop doing it.

This is not a professional forum and it's for fun, Pentax camaraderie, and to learn.

[D4rknezz]

Well, for whatever its worth,

I dont have kids. However, *any* picture i put online is a child of mine. I think they are better than yours, cuter, sexier, edgier, and downright more educated! There.

So if the humour of that is lost to anyone, I explain : I think everyone should just be able to submit any picture they want; whether its of their grandparents, girlfriends, or strangers. As a critique we should know that any picture posted by someone probably has a trace of pride on it, whether its of a fly or a sunset, and be careful from spouting hurtful comments.

On the other hand, realizing that every picture we put are open to criticism, we also have to be a little careful about our subject matter. (thats why I dont have any picture for competition yet! )

By the way, i think the correct way of saying it would have been - you've got cute kids! unfortunately your photography could use some improvement!

Jk. can we all be friends again?

[Fl_Gulfer]

I think the next Black & White contest should be "No People In Picture"

[fotaki]

Come on, grow up people.

A photograph will stand on it's merits whatever the subject matter.

[alexfoto]

I think is quite problematic vote when are present so many images.
Despite i use less the 17 choose and see the list more times, in the end i miss to select one image, but after that you send your vote, even if are less respect the maximum available, isn't possible add anything.
Perhaps could be nice at least fix similar problem.