P3D Re: What wins the Gold Medal?

[boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Boris Starosta)]

A feisty crowd tonight:

>From: fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)
...
>If you want my personal opinion, it is much easier to produce a table top
>image, once you have been instructed in the basics of lighting, etc. and
>have access to the appropriate equipment, than a good travel, nature or
>action photo shot.  Looking at what gets accepted in PSA salons, more than
>half of the pictures are flowers, table-tops or studio-type pictures.  If
>there is a class of pictures becoming "endangered species" and could
>use some extra help via PSA honors, these are travel photos (w/people),
>urban scenes, photojournalism shots, etc.
>
>Boris, I hear you are doing great with your tabletop, studio and
>computer-generated shots.  If you want to proclaim yourself a complete and
>competent stereo photographer, try to get PSA honors with handheld
>out-of-the-studio stereo pictures.  Now, there is the challenge!

and then

>From: "Gregory J. Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>
...
>Indeed.
>
>I made two attempts recently to photograph ice hockey in stereo.  ("Why?"
>I hear some of you ask.  Well, besides the fact that I generally like to

With all due respect to Dr. Themelis other remarks, I don't think my
complete competence as a stereo photographer should hinge on my ability to
produce hand-held views at this time.  You've been to my website, and have
seen the rig I am using.  I doubt even you could hand-hold that thing.

As to the prevalence of Contemporary slides accepted at PSA salons: as I
said, I don't have much first hand experience.  I don't even know that
Contemporary and Silver Medal are synonymous (apparently not?).  I'm simply
relating my impressions based on what others have told me.  They've said
that occasionally a contemporary slide will get best of show, but that this
is the exceptional case.

They told me that a picture of a bird feeding its young took the Gold at
Oakland.   I don't know how typical that is of a gold medal winning shot.
I certainly do not know what typically wins the Salons, as I've never seen
one, nor won one.

As to the ease of "table-tops" or studio work:  I guess it comes down to
how you define and measure the challenges encountered in the studio, and
the creative solutions that are demanded of the photographer.

A new composition, just completed, entitled "Martini", took me two evenings
just to set up.  I probably spent a total of over six hours setting the
lights, flags, reflectors, dealing with light on the background, light on
the subject, reflections within the subject.  Finally I shot my roll of
film (pair of rolls) in about 30minutes.  Furthermore, although not hand
held, the shooting was somewhat action-packed: I had to deal with
uncooperative smoke, and a glass that would not retain the condensation I
wanted.

The work that went into Pixie took a good forty hours total.

But enough of my sob story.  I realize that good action or travel photos
require at least as much effort, if not much more!  I'll be doing those
soon enough, just as soon as I get that hand held, motor wound,
electronically synched auto-focus twin rig set up.

Despite your doubts, really respectfully submitted,




Boris Starosta

usa 804 979 3930

boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.starosta.com
http://www.starosta.com/3dshowcase

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