Technical...artistic...of both, which are you?

[pgriz]

Hmmm. Don Quixote would feel at home in this thread.

 

[Chamelion 6]

In the early day's I was a stickler for details. Sorry, but art isn't physics. It isn't black and white and the guidelines, rules, theories, academic suggestions, or what ever you want to call them, just don't carry the weight for me that some people wanna place on them. It's about personal expression. Some people feel more comfortable with some formula to validate what they see and there is nothing wrong with that. Follow whatever muse moves you. If you're happy with what you're producing, that's what's important, right?

:facepalm:

Nobody here is saying it is physics, or black and white. I think it's a given that art is about expression.
The key argument here has been, and always will be with you, whether or not you teach with the proven foundations. There is also science backing up this stuff. It wasn't pulled from thin air.

Ok, so I know you won some award for something or other. Where has your career as an artist taken you?
I didn't want to play this card, and I know how it can be torn apart to a degree, but the sentiment still rings true.

Does your work hang in galleries?
Are people buying your work?
Did you make a career with your talent?
Do you make a living at it?

You went to school for photojournalism? What other forms of art did you study?
Are you a successful photojournalist?

I know this post is rather dickish, but people tend to listen more to someone who as succeeded at what they preach, rather than the armchair hobbyists opinions. One reason Derrel is > than you.

Actually I don't think this is dickish at all. You have a valid point, one that deserves a straight answer.

Yes I went to school to be a photojournalist, I dropped out after my first year because I needed money and because I got tired of fighting attitudes. I was pig headed, stubborn and egotistical... I still believe they were wrong about many things, but like a self centered 20 year old I handled it poorly. It wasn't my art they had problems with as it was my approach.

Back then I was a true harda** about this stuff. I got all tangled up in calling my self a "photojournalist" as though that title has some special meaning. Every image I made I had to prove something, there was this artistic integrity to live up to...

I look back on it now and just see a lot of arrogant pompus BS.

So yeah, I guess I'm now the voice for the unwashed, uneducated masses. I don't put it on a pedestal anymore, I just enjoy it.

And for what it's worth, I just finished a photography class as an elective. Pure diversion from my science classes.

As for what other art I do? I paint some, I do pen and ink sketching, I play guitar...

And as for Derrel being better than me? Perhaps. I don't see it as a competition anymore. More successful? Depends on how you measure it. I got an A in my class and that's what I was shooting for. I'll admit, there are still things about shooting digitally that elude me... I've only been back into it since August...

 

[oldmacman]

"Rules" is semantics for "guidelines" is semantics for "theories..." We were all good with "rules" at the top of the thread... It is called the "rule" of thirds, isn't it? :greenpbl:

But answer me this... Honest question. What makes Beethoven's tunes more valid than the Sex Pistols? Or Howlin' Wolf?

"There's only two kinds of music, good and bad. I like both." Kinda applies to art on the whole don't cha think?

Forums can be tough. You kind of became a lightening rod for the issue of the day. I will say that while I don't agree with your point of view, I appreciate that the discussion stayed civil. Quite often, when it is one person defending a point of view, comments can degrade. Actually the whole process of checking in occasionally today helps to exercise those critical thinking skills.

BTW - I hate bad music

PS - I don't think Bitter was saying Derrel is better than you. I think his point is that Derrel uses his photo skills to make a living and he takes his time to share his knowledge in this forum (how many thousand posts does he have?). It is the "Respect" that is greater for him because he has proven he knows what he is talking about.

 

[Chamelion 6]

"Rules" is semantics for "guidelines" is semantics for "theories..." We were all good with "rules" at the top of the thread... It is called the "rule" of thirds, isn't it? :greenpbl:

But answer me this... Honest question. What makes Beethoven's tunes more valid than the Sex Pistols? Or Howlin' Wolf?

"There's only two kinds of music, good and bad. I like both." Kinda applies to art on the whole don't cha think?

Forums can be tough. You kind of became a lightening rod for the issue of the day. I will say that while I don't agree with your point of view, I appreciate that the discussion stayed civil. Quite often, when it is one person defending a point of view, comments can degrade. Actually the whole process of checking in occasionally today helps to exercise those critical thinking skills.

BTW - I hate bad music

PS - I don't think Bitter was saying Derrel is better than you. I think his point is that Derrel uses his photo skills to make a living and he takes his time to share his knowledge in this forum (how many thousand posts does he have?). It is the "Respect" that is greater for him because he has proven he knows what he is talking about.

It's all good here. I see this as all centering around points of view and it stayed civil all around. I was aware when I posted my view that it was contrary to the accepted... I was just suprised it wasn't just ignored...

I enjoyed the discussion.

 

[crimbfighter]

I seem to have spurred a lively debate! Thankyou all for keeping it civil.

Sounds like there are a lot of diverging view points on the topic. It's good to hear all these different experiences with how people developed their different skill levels in the arts and photography. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I enjoyed the discussion.

Me too!

I hold no bad feelings.

I do wish you would post some work.
I firmly believe, that if one is to critique and offer instruction, one should be able to show how they employ thier knowledge.

I know there are a few here that come off as authorities, but have never posted their own stuff. The proof is, as they say, in the pudding. :thumbup:

 

[Chamelion 6]

I enjoyed the discussion.

Me too!

I hold no bad feelings.

I do wish you would post some work.
I firmly believe, that if one is to critique and offer instruction, one should be able to show how they employ thier knowledge.

I know there are a few here that come off as authorities, but have never posted their own stuff. The proof is, as they say, in the pudding. :thumbup:

:thumbup:

I had to set up a new flickr account and I just tossed some stuff into it and linked it here. I couldn't get the images to post, just got the red x's, but the links are up.