Re: Computers in competition

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In the Detroit stereo club we have one person (hi Bill!) who only submits
computer-generated images.  He is also a member of this list so perhaps he
can give us his perspective.  After an expected rather "simple" start, his
skills have improved to the point that his images look very "real".  In
this year's opening competition I heard people wondering how was one of his
pictures  taken .  They had no idea that this was a computer-generated
image.  I was very surprised when Bill managed to pull three "Nostalgia" 
images in the last meeting!  I considered this subject to be a rather
extreme in not leading itself to computerization.  Another subject coming
up is "Patterns".  I expect Bill to excel there!  He is doing well,
collecting quite a few awards in the monthly competitions.

Bill's computer images carry two complications:  First, they break the
anonymity tradition.  Since he is the only person making these images, I
can always tell when his slides come up.  Yes, they are getting more 
realistic  but they still have the "clean" saturated appearance of computer
work.  Second, they do carry this "foreign-ness" which makes them difficult
to compare with the rest  real-life  images.  I was a judge in the 
Nostalgia  competition.  I knew that the slide with the Coca-Cola flying
caps was Bill's.  It was different.  How do you judge it?

When discussing these issues, we have to ask ourselves what is the
competition or exhibition trying to promote?  If it is promoting  the
production of more "appealing" stereo images  as John R. mentioned or
promoting the skills required to make those images?  Computer work
obviously requires different skills than table-top photography.  The
situation is complicated by the fact that there are areas and 3d subjects
which, like computer work, need special skills and equipment and do carry
the signature of their maker.  Work with hyperstereos, twin SLRs, micro 3d,
are just a few examples.  I have not heard any talk of disqualifying macro
Realist slides or imaginative tabletop photography Stan White style. 
Stan's images are as difficult to compare with regular 3d scenics as is 
computer 3d work.

So, we are back to square one... as far as I am concerned.

-- George Themelis


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