Why?????

Why oh why do photos like "Octopus House" (page 2) make it this far in photo contest voting?
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=1326&refID=1&WT.mc_id=EM1010EO07001

Because too many people think gawd-awful HDR processing makes a good image?

People voting are taking too many drugs?


*Edit*: As photo art I like it, however the person seems to be presenting it as natural in which case, it is simply "gawd-awful". Confused? Don't worry, so am I.

Here I was all prepared to jokingly say, "Gee, I kinda like it," but you know what? I kinda like it! It's more photo-art than photo, but I've seen this effect used purposefully many times, and I think it looks pretty cool. I would not bet one thin dime on the prospect that the photographer thinks his image looks natural. The approach looks convincingly intentional. Besides, if my photo god, Carr Clifton, can do this, why can't this photographer? (check out either of Carr's "Boats and Harbors" galleries to see what I mean)

Sorry Todd, don't like it. But I will defend to the death the right to do it The rest of his stuff is amazing.

A perfect example of everything hideous and at the same time fantastic about HDR. Great for special effects but if you're trying to portray a scene as you saw it, not so much. I like it a lot but as a piece of artwork, not a photograph.

Some people probably just enjoy it. I think a lot of the time people get to caught up in what they don't like, probably would be better focusing on what they do. I thinks its a good thing that there are so many different opinions out there. I for one know the world would be a terrible place if everyone thought just like me .

I think it is as legitimate as any other art form. I believe that every artist, writer, musician, etc has a right to tell their story as they see it. The audience can love it or hate it, accept it or reject it.
I think Carr Clifton is awesome, also.
Joe Rogers

I did a google search and found a link to a large rendition of this...yikes!!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AGwaYErl8Bs/S8d8edzXx9I/AAAAAAAACoY/IaXVjB4Kom0/s1600/iMG_7608+skewed.jpg

Ah, bigger IS better! It's a fun shot!

I can't wait until this current fad of "painterly" HDR images that look like they are washed with silver transparent paint (not to mention the halos that you can measure with a wood ruler) meet their end, it's a viable effect that has been worn out long ago.

HOWEVER, after seeing Casa de Octopuso in a bigger format, I have to say that if you're going to exploit that HDR swash, you might as well hit it with every gun you've got, and this photog did just that... there is so much to look at in this image it's looney, and the colors really are wild. I hate HDR, but I like this image big. I wouldn't hang it on my wall, but it's neat to view onscreen.

It's interesting like a trainwreck...ya gotta look but it's horrible to see. If I posted something like this here on NPN I would bet I'd be critically evicerated in every possible aspect.

hey Todd, One of Carr Clifton's images is a windows 7 background:

http://www.carrclifton.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1π=10000&s=8&p=5

The Alaska portfolio, number 9 of 28 ...wonder what he got paid for that. I always wondered where Microsoft got their stuff from.

If I posted something like this here on NPN I would bet I'd be critically evicerated in every possible aspect.

Pam, I totally and respectfully disagree! If you tried to pass this off as looking natural and not an obvious photo-artistic representation, sure. But taken for what it clearly is, a photo-unrealistic art piece, I think the opinions might be mixed, but totally supportive.

As a matter of fact Todd, I am putting it to the test in Photo Art where it certainly seems to belong. So far the initial couple of comments have been positive. I may be swayed..... BTW, I see a *lot* of similarity between your art and that of your PG Carr Clifton

How boring...now, if there was a real giant octopus pulling itself up the pier--that would be cool!

BTW, I see a *lot* of similarity between your art and that of your PG Carr Clifton

I'm not qualified to carry Carr Clifton's tripod for him.

Is that false modesty I hear?

This is funny Pam....you are getting all POSITIVE remarks on your positing over there...maybe you've discovered a new direction for yourself..unintentionally!!

I know, geeze, as Fagan would say " I'm reviewing....the situation........" Now if I could just get that kind of response for my non-electric images

Nothing false. Who is Fagan? Steely Dan's Fagan?

Noooooooo, movie musical "Oliver!"s Fagan...duh?

Needs to be rotated to the left by 0.2

@Pam - I actually like the octopus shot.

@Todd - Who's playing Steely Dan - I'm in!!

RichieV

Pam, you get 50 points for the Fagan reference. I think I agree with the position that if you bring it over the top and not trying to pass it off as natural, it has a certain appeal. Probably because of it's unique look, I suppose.

I have to agree...I like the Octopus shot. I agree that HDR is over done sometimes, but there are times, it actually enchances or even changes the viewing of a shot. For example, in this one I think it draws much more attention to the octopus in the shot and makes that the main subject instaed of the entire house.

50 points, sure, but it's out of a possible 1,000 points.