P3D Contempory vagueness and computer stuff

["H a r o l d B a i z e" <baize@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. T wrote:

>Competition assignment: "Contemporary".  The PSA definition states:
>"Contemporary photography may be defined as the concept that
>stimulates the mind of the viewer to interpret the message
>conveyed through the creative use of line, form, and color.
>The definition specifically includes computer generated/
>manipulated images."

>IMO, except for the last sentence, this is a totally worthless
>definition.  A form of photography is the "concept" that
>"stimulates the mind" to "interpret the message"???  WHAT DOES
>THAT MEAN???  I am sure no one asked an engineer or a practical
>person to review this...  "Creative use of line, form, and
>color"...  How is that different from ordinary photography?

I agree, it is a poor definition. However, there is clearly a
segment of photography that emphasizes concept and takes chances,
occasionally violating the "rules". Sometimes it is an image that
represents an idea or myth. My computer image "The Legend of Princess
Tamalpias" http://www.jps.net/baize/hb3d.htm is an example, it
attempts to present an illusion that has become folklore.
Images like this, or Boris Starosta's "Pixie", stand in sharp contrast
to the standard landscape and flower photos that so often win competitions.
At the Oakland Camera Club I often feel like shouting "Perfect composition,
perfect exposure, PERFECTLY BORING!" because its the same old thing, its
just another flower or Mono Lake Tufa (sp?) or Yosemite shot. People don't
take chances.

>All it means, IMO, is an excuse to do computer work and present
>it as photography without the risk of being penalized by some
>judge who thinks that what you are doing is not photography.

You're right about that too, but why do we need an excuse? Stereoscopic
computer renderings involve a fully functional virtual camera, with all
the controls and features of a real camera. In the era of digital cameras
the distinction becomes almost meaningless. The artist in a computer
rendered stereo scene does not have the luxury of serendipity, he or she
must conceive and then create a world on the computer. It isn't just a
matter of being in the right place at the right time with a Realist.
While many stereo photographers, such as Dr T., are very creative (for
example, his negative image of the PPG building) others can benefit by
being asked to produce something "contemporary".

Harolddd.


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