Let those self indulgent know-it-alls stew in their own self professed brilliance! That's what I say... They just haven't seen great images before...nor know how to make them, probably.
Funny thing is, I actually tried about 6 times to sign up for those forums (both recently and in the past) and I never recieve a password confimation. I'll have to get in touch again today.
The Mount Assiniboine shot, a fake reflection? Seriously? Absolutely incredible what people will believe these days. For the record, I have never used HDR either. Many people who have gone shooting with me and a host of workshop clients can attest to my images being the real thing. You can't begin to make assumptions like these without actually seeing my processes through in the field and on the computer. I'll bet I use less PS than most of them do.
Posted by Darren White on June 28, 2007 at 9:22 AM
Wow....if you are good enough to have people B*tch about your work because they can't achieve the same results, then I say congratulations Marc!!!
Also note I was along for the ride on the Gorton creek image they have posted over there....Marc was shooting pretty simple that day....camera, tripod, maybe a polarizer or a grad here and there...
keep up the good work Marc...Keep making people wonder, whatever you do its working!
Posted by Curtis Knight on June 28, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Darren hit the nail on the head Marc. Keep up the good work!
I tell you one thing, I like marc's work, do not really get to talk to him much, and would love to more, and actually shoot with him sometimes, but it comes down to one thing about that bs. well 2, Jealousy, which I am sure alot of envious of him, but also, they truly fail to realize, that this man treks into places, and waits! His percentage of shots like that go up, way up, when you spend a great amount of time in the wilderness, and being patient. He knows the land, that helps, and he waits for that light!
They are just upset cause the do not get the same results, maybe one day when they actually capture a shot similar to yours, they might think back at what they said, then again, some just have to b*!@#.
I would not say much marc, except for, go out in the wilderness, and maybe God will shine some good light on you!
I posted and stuck up for you, Marc. Your comments were very well formed and gracious. Keep them that way, you don't have to lower yourself to the level of those yahoos.
Yeah, and some still seem unconvinced....ah well. Best just to leave it alone I suppose. I've made my point clearly. Mark, thanks. Kevin, thanks. I've had a lot of people email me today expressing the same sentiments.
I usually check out DP review a couple of times a week. There are some talented photographers on the site and sometimes Thom Hogan gives his insight. BUT, usually the site is full of pompus asses and rudness. Keep up the good work Marc!
Marc,
My suggestion is to embrace stuff like this - seriously. Have you ever noticed that the higher something is on the ladder of success the more the opinions become polarized? The more the success the more some people embrace/praise the success and the more some people criticize it trying to find fault in it. The more the success the more the intensity. Seems to be human nature in a way.
The point is there will be people who embrace the item's success, recognizing the reason's why (or simply accepting the fact it is) and admire the item because of it. Then there will be people who for many reasons (one can get a PhD analyzing why) will criticize the item finding faults where ever and how however they can. These faults can be real, imagined or simply made up. The person will truly believe and defend their reasons even if they are imagined or made up (they believe their on con). Moreover, they will seek and associate with people who agree with them. By the way this can happen on both sides of the fence. There are always degrees of severity of this though. Some once presented with more data will see the light while some must cling on to it because of their own internal demons. This happens every where for every successful person so all successful people will face this issue.
In this case the successful item is you and your photography. You deserve your success, you know that as we do. I would use this babble as a barometer of your success and don't overact to it. Accept it for want it is.
I generally agree, Phil. I'm not mad about this stuff happening. I know it will. But if I have the chance to defend my work and educate others at the same time, it's only human nature to do so. It's not taking a lot of time out of my day to make a statement.
When it comes to anything, your results speak for themselves. Bill Parcels, (football coach) one said "You are as good a your record reads". You work is damm good. When you get to know me better you will know I don't BS anyone. What's right is right and your table of work speaks for itself.
When Galen was alive, he used to talk about how folks accused him of certain things similar to those on the DP Review. He took it as flattery and learned quickly to blow it off. I have a sense you have done the same thing.
Keep the images coming.
JG
(PS--I'll call you in a few weeks---est arrival in Portland is around 7/22 or so).
JG
Hey, Marc! Turn a deaf ear and let your success speak for itself. Don't enjoin their argument-- you don't want to get on the same level they are, cuz you would disrespect yourself and demean your work. The more the "public" sees your work, and the more well known you become, the more you'll be open to all sorts of this b-#!%*#-s. Stay within yourself. You know what you are doing and have that satisfaction to sustain you. And there are a lot more people who support you than not. Best wishes for continued success.
But if I have the chance to defend my work and educate others at the same time, it's only human nature to do so. It's not taking a lot of time out of my day to make a statement.
Marc, I 100% agree - I would!
I have not read the Dpreview thread and wasn't suggesting not responding or any action by you was was in error. I was just wanted to make a suggestion in case it was effecting you negatively. Besides some controversy and the exposure from it is good
Hi Marc-
I read your reply, and it was right on the mark. I think you've made a good decision to weigh in, because you presented yourself in a calm, respectful manner -- and knocked down a bunch of silly accusations, too. For every person who posted there, I would imagine a few dozen who lurk and read the discussions. So in my mind, your post was perfect for those readers, and some will probably be motivated to check out your work. Good for the bottom line!
You've said it many times, but your combined talent for composition and perspective, passion for the work and commitment to simply being out there are what come through in your images. That's what sets them apart. And as you've also said, none of the above comes packaged with Photoshop. Well done!
DPreview is a great resource for news and reviews about the gear we use, but it is one of the worst places to go for an honest, unbiased, well thought out critique or debate about an image. Consider that there are something like 50,000 members of the forums over there and you know without looking that the signal to noise ratio will be astronomical.
This is more than anything else some really good PR for Marc.
I shouldn't of even accessed the link. I loathe more than most things seeing the element of competition placed within the photographic circle or any artistic ring for that matter, and will try to stray from dpreview from indefinitely. People should seek out the ways in which an image can inspire them as opposed to looking critically for faults within an image. Myself and many others should embrace the wonderful qualities that this person ( marc) breathes through his photos: passion, effort and sincere appreciation for the wild sparkle brilliantly through his images, and even if the quality in his photos was lacking (obviously not the case), the aforementioned traits are far strong enough to inspire a human being. Being creatures not bound to this earth, it is silly to me that we all must be obsessed with arguing over who is the best or obtaining some form of "greatness", there are far more profitable things one can do than this during our temporary stay here. Arguing about the best increases the sillyness factor if its over a topic that is entirely subjective, like photography. Being one who's life has changed as a result of experiencing nature, and photography being the catalyst for getting to nature, i'll embrace anything that draws me into this environment, and instantly shun anything that gives me a negative vibe towards my passion.
Whoever said DPreview is a great place for photography news but other than that.... deifinitely has it right. I've never seen a forum where the discourse is normally so cruel.
Marc, I don't know you very well but I did meet you at EPI 2006, and I was appalled at the treatment you got over on dpreview. First images are posted without your permission, arguably infringement, then they use that to attack you. Anyhow, I've never seen where people even get suspicious. It's obvious there is digital work to your images (there is to almost everyone's these days) but you're along way from the "honesty" line in my mind.
You handled this very gracefully though, more gracefully than I would, I'm sure.
One more thing, Marc. I basically wanted to make sure all of us here at PNWNP showed support for you on DPReview. I still lurk there for this and that (I stopped posting there for reasons Eric mentioned above) , but that post about you made me respond for the first time in two years(!)
Just so you know, WE know you're the real deal and don't do any massive trickery to your work. If those folks looked at your earlier work, they would've seen that your film Velvia work has the same style to it. But it's easier to judge quickly. Who knows, maybe it would enlighten people to find out that you don't need to overly process your photos if you would just take it correctly in the field in the first place, and there are no shortcuts to your success.
Bottom line, your success is well earned. It's fun to see you become a superstar (I'm watching and taking notes).
Discussion
27 repliesWhat's interesting to me are the armchair quarterbacks trying to say it's nothing more than PS fantasy work.
I wonder when someone will just email Marc and ask him?
Should we let them enjoy their wonder?
Kevin
The Mount Assiniboine shot, a fake reflection? Seriously?
Also note I was along for the ride on the Gorton creek image they have posted over there....Marc was shooting pretty simple that day....camera, tripod, maybe a polarizer or a grad here and there...
keep up the good work Marc...Keep making people wonder, whatever you do its working!
They are just upset cause the do not get the same results, maybe one day when they actually capture a shot similar to yours, they might think back at what they said, then again, some just have to b*!@#.
I would not say much marc, except for, go out in the wilderness, and maybe God will shine some good light on you!
keep up the great work.
Don't let it get to you Marc. Your work outclasses them all.
Mike
My suggestion is to embrace stuff like this - seriously. Have you ever noticed that the higher something is on the ladder of success the more the opinions become polarized? The more the success the more some people embrace/praise the success and the more some people criticize it trying to find fault in it. The more the success the more the intensity. Seems to be human nature in a way.
The point is there will be people who embrace the item's success, recognizing the reason's why (or simply accepting the fact it is) and admire the item because of it. Then there will be people who for many reasons (one can get a PhD analyzing why) will criticize the item finding faults where ever and how however they can. These faults can be real, imagined or simply made up. The person will truly believe and defend their reasons even if they are imagined or made up (they believe their on con). Moreover, they will seek and associate with people who agree with them. By the way this can happen on both sides of the fence. There are always degrees of severity of this though. Some once presented with more data will see the light while some must cling on to it because of their own internal demons. This happens every where for every successful person so all successful people will face this issue.
In this case the successful item is you and your photography. You deserve your success, you know that as we do. I would use this babble as a barometer of your success and don't overact to it. Accept it for want it is.
Oh, and develop a "DPreview rule"
When it comes to anything, your results speak for themselves. Bill Parcels, (football coach) one said "You are as good a your record reads". You work is damm good. When you get to know me better you will know I don't BS anyone. What's right is right and your table of work speaks for itself.
When Galen was alive, he used to talk about how folks accused him of certain things similar to those on the DP Review. He took it as flattery and learned quickly to blow it off. I have a sense you have done the same thing.
Keep the images coming.
JG
(PS--I'll call you in a few weeks---est arrival in Portland is around 7/22 or so).
JG
Marc, I 100% agree - I would!
I have not read the Dpreview thread and wasn't suggesting not responding or any action by you was was in error. I was just wanted to make a suggestion in case it was effecting you negatively. Besides some controversy and the exposure from it is good
I read your reply, and it was right on the mark. I think you've made a good decision to weigh in, because you presented yourself in a calm, respectful manner -- and knocked down a bunch of silly accusations, too. For every person who posted there, I would imagine a few dozen who lurk and read the discussions. So in my mind, your post was perfect for those readers, and some will probably be motivated to check out your work. Good for the bottom line!
You've said it many times, but your combined talent for composition and perspective, passion for the work and commitment to simply being out there are what come through in your images. That's what sets them apart. And as you've also said, none of the above comes packaged with Photoshop. Well done!
I really want that coffee table book... soon!
Tom
- pradeep
This is more than anything else some really good PR for Marc.
Whoever said DPreview is a great place for photography news but other than that.... deifinitely has it right. I've never seen a forum where the discourse is normally so cruel.
Marc, I don't know you very well but I did meet you at EPI 2006, and I was appalled at the treatment you got over on dpreview. First images are posted without your permission, arguably infringement, then they use that to attack you. Anyhow, I've never seen where people even get suspicious. It's obvious there is digital work to your images (there is to almost everyone's these days) but you're along way from the "honesty" line in my mind.
You handled this very gracefully though, more gracefully than I would, I'm sure.
Just so you know, WE know you're the real deal and don't do any massive trickery to your work. If those folks looked at your earlier work, they would've seen that your film Velvia work has the same style to it. But it's easier to judge quickly. Who knows, maybe it would enlighten people to find out that you don't need to overly process your photos if you would just take it correctly in the field in the first place, and there are no shortcuts to your success.
Bottom line, your success is well earned. It's fun to see you become a superstar (I'm watching and taking notes).
Kevin