Flowers in 3D...

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>...Another picture of a
>flower (yes, trying to get those awards have lowered my standards!!!
> ;))...-- George

OK, before this evolves to another scandal, let me clarify a few 
things here:

First, I was kidding.  Second, I still believe that the subject 
"flowers" is overused in 3D.  Third, I still believe that too many 
awards are given to beautiful flowers at the expense of innovative and 
creative photography.  Forth, and most important, I believe that it is 
still possible to take good pictures of flowers that are worth an award, 
or, to say the least, are visually more appealing than than many average 
scenics, or yet another picture of my firstborn.

Now for the rest of the story:  At my workplace they grow flowers.  I 
have never shown much interest for flowers in general.  I don't remember 
the last time that I gave flowers to my wife (did I ever?).  But, I 
decided to photograph those flowers out of my workplace with my SLR and 
a slide bar.  I also wanted to try the "fuzzy" filter to see how well it 
works (going through the PSA set "soft focus in stereo" - mostly flower 
photography with filters smeared with vaseline - is what gave me the idea)

Result:  I found that many of these 3D images are very satisfying and 
visually appealing.  I saw beauty in flowers that I have not seen before.  
I started asking basic questions ("what is this flower's name?" and "what
are these little things inside the flower and how are they called?")  I 
saw beauty in a 3D close-up of a flower that I had not noticed in real 
life.  I am ready to buy books, study the life and functions of flowers 
and, yes, shoot more flower 3d pictures!

Moral of the story:  Instead of making unreasonable generalizations
("I don't like pictures of flowers") to justify our preferences ("I like 
buildings in 3D, hyperstereos and pictures of my firstborn"), it is 
better to face the challenge of taking a good picture of a flower/
building/fence/human-being/... etc.  When you feel that you given it 
your best shot, then it is time to move to the next challenge.
 
Going back to the discussion that we had with Allan Carrano, I like this
mode of operation, encouraged by the assignments in the Detroit club.  I 
have found interest and a challenge in subjects that I would have not 
touched under normal cicrumstances, including flowers, and I am glad I 
did!

(Side story:  My flower shooting at work got the attention of the
big boss -director of research center- who is into flowers, belongs
to groups, magazines, grows them, etc.  He invited me to visit his
house and photograph his award-winning garden.  He also wants to borrow
my 3D flowers and Realist viewer for the next flower-group meeting!)

So, shooting flowers in 3D is not so bad after all! -- George


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