Strangers Project

[c.cloudwalker]

^^^ I found your response one of passive agressiveness

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Traveler, I don't see a whole lot of artistic understanding in your work. Actually I see a technically decent one lacking a creative bone and therefore my understanding of your original response as passive agressive. Just because you don't understand it, or can even try to understand it, does not make it worth less.

You want us to accept your opinion as valid, well start by accepting the opinions of others as valid as yours. You are not god.

 

[The_Traveler]

^^^ I found your response one of passive agressiveness

If you mean me, I'm not feeling passively-aggressive.
I, and others, said exactly what they thought of the project and the OP, and others, seem to think that external factors should influence our opinions.
I am surprised by that response from him.
You are wrong in your diagnosis, Dr.

 

[The_Traveler]

Traveler, I don't see a whole lot of artistic understanding in your work. Actually I see a technically decent one lacking a creative bone and therefore my understanding of your original response as passive agressive. Just because you don't understand it, or can even try to understand it, does not make it worth less.

You want us to accept your opinion as valid, well start by accepting the opinions of others as valid as yours. You are not god.

Sorry, I didn't see this before.
I'm not arguing against others' opinion; everyone has a right to them.
You are asserting that I don't understand the project and don't have the ability to try to understand and that might be true.
But why are you attacking me for having an opinion; is it just because you don't share it?
After my initial comment, in which I said I liked the pictures, I was attacked with reference to my own stuff.
After the OP went on in a couple of posts about it was a difficult project, I replied.

Now you attack my abilities and my artistic sensibility, seemingly to make my opinion less.
I actually don't care what you think of my stuff or of me.
If I 'got' his project, I would say so.
That I don't, isn't an indictment me or him, it just is.

 

[GratefulDead]

I like the brokeh, but they all look kinda the same, but with different people. Very nice though they look very professional.

 

[mishele]

Where does the art come into it?

And why was that comment necessary Traveler? Oh it wasnt.....

I will assume that questions are real and not just a passive aggressive way of being a jerk and so I'll answer.

I think that any 'technique' becomes just a inutile habit if it doesn't aim towards some greater goal than just the repetition.
Here the OP has some of many very nicely done head-on shots of generally attractive, generally happy seeming people - all approximately the same, formatted landscape, background well oof.
If there is a greater point than this I can't see it.
If there is something more than just the collection of happy faces, it isn't obvious and it just seems a bit empty to me.

As to your comment about 'great job', shouldn't we be past the point of complimenting someone on technique issues alone?

I took the set of pictures a little deeper than just happy faces. I saw a group of people that were all very different, but were all beautiful. They all had their own style....wearing scarfs....headphones.....sunglasses....hats...tattoos...piercings. So I loved the set , it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling......

 

[m.shalaby]

No... no its not at all. Its very intimidating. And I'm not an extravert.

It really took me a lot to muster up courage to do this project. I got very anxious each and every time I went out. After the first few shots it got a little easier, but stopping a complete stranger going about their day, with a big SLR in your hands and asking them to take their shot isn’t easy, and something I will ever get used to. Some could say that that's an ‘art’ in and of itself. Lol…sorry, had to add that.

It seems that entire aspect of this project, the hardest part of it all, and on top of that, to capture the expressions I did– all of it was completely undermined.

Where’s the art? Why not such a diverse crowd of people? Too “repetitive”.

This forum is unique to say the least.

Neither the fact that you have a studio, that everyone on other forums loved the project or the fact that it was difficult for you personally should have any input on anyone's opinion.

'completely undermined' - I am sort of surprised that you are finding it so difficult to accept some negative response.

I tried being diplomatic, but as soon as the "ugly vs. good looking” or called “models" came into play, THAT is when I stopped accepting negative responses. That my friend, is complete garbage.

It honestly make me wonder if the posters who stated such are not handsome andunattractive, and therefore have a vendetta against photogenic people? I sense a little bitterness there.

Take a step back and listen to how some of you sound:

“Nice project, but I wish you took more shots of ugly people”. ??? Crazy! Just absolute garbage!

The responses I’ve seen in this thread (not ignoring the positive, I’m not)…but the negative are so overwhelmingly ridiculous, I’m addressing those.

 

[Trever1t]

First of all I think this whole debate is childish. I am ugly, fat and old...and I don't give a damn!

If you can't take a little critiscm without getting your feathers ruffled then you're in the wrong place. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, good or bad. Get over it. Ignore it even but don't get all pissy because someone doesn't see what you thought was clear.

 

[bobnr32]

Traveller: your attitude is bang out of order! Who are you to comment whether the project is art or not? Is Rembrandt an artist? His paintings were largely in the same style.
I too have been a victim of mindless bullying on another site which I have now left. I give my total support to the OP and his right to produce high quality work in the way he choses without interference from others.

 

[m.shalaby]

I like the brokeh, but they all look kinda the same, but with different people. Very nice though they look very professional.

Straight over your head too - shame.

Take a look at the response I got on FM.com - Strangers Project - FM Forums

Here, I get "they are too good looking". I mean, wow. Just wow.

 

[The_Traveler]

Traveller: your attitude is bang out of order! Who are you to comment whether the project is art or not? Is Rembrandt an artist? His paintings were largely in the same style.
I too have been a victim of mindless bullying on another site which I have now left. I give my total support to the OP and his right to produce high quality work in the way he choses without interference from others.

Dear Bob,

You should really read what I wrote.
I said that the pictures terrific but I didn't get the point.
From then on, it was attacking the messenger because the message was unacceptable.
I, in return, won't be bullied out of my opinion.

My suggestion is just to put me on ignore and you will be spared any unwanted interaction.

 

[The_Traveler]

Exactly. Traveller - you came off straight like a ( fill in the blank ). How DARE you say "where's the art?"

I am writing it down now.
"M. Shalaby is of a higher order than me and there should be treated as such."

That's an example of passive-aggressive.

 

[m.shalaby]

Traveller: your attitude is bang out of order! Who are you to comment whether the project is art or not? Is Rembrandt an artist? His paintings were largely in the same style.
I too have been a victim of mindless bullying on another site which I have now left. I give my total support to the OP and his right to produce high quality work in the way he choses without interference from others.

Exactly. Traveller - you came off straight like a ( fill in the blank ). How DARE you say "where's the art?"
People wack canvas’s with paint and call it art. And as a photographer to photographer, your comment is outright offensive.

 

[Trever1t]

people whack canvas's with paint and some people say it's not art too. lighten up. Is it so important to make people understand? Art is in the eye of the beholder and noone can tell another what is or isn't appealing to that other.


Can't we all act like adults here and let it go. Jeesh, this place is a soap opera!

 

[bobnr32]

Traveler: you are not being bullied. I am merely pointing out that the only reason to criticise the artistic merit was to make yourself feel good- classic bullying. I often see photos I do not like, and rather than make the person feel bad, move on to other threads. But no, you had to exercise your right to be negative, bully that you are.