1st place an industrial man by Michael Puff by Canon DSLR Challenge

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02-FEB-2007	Michael Puff

1st place an industrial man by Michael Puff

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Guest		10-Feb-2007 13:26
This challenge turned into a worth1000.com type entry. Debbi

Canon DSLR Challenge		06-Feb-2007 19:36
Gosh, No, Phil, without words there can be no conversation...we, both honorable gentlemen, have differing views...no biggie. In fact without you writing, I would have no one to write back to. No that would be tragic...lol Alex has been a truly fine host and he has commented on virtually every image...but his comment regarding Red Exit that he preferred the earlier version, and by that I think he meant the high-key one, allowed me to write back to him: "Well, Maybe Yes, Alex, maybe that version is better....and yet the Human Heart at times just wants to say something...beyond the photograph." To me, it is one of my best lines ever. These words express something inside of me that I am still working my way through and I sincerely thank Alex for the opportunity to be able to say this. Alas...Mr. Puff has moved his Industrial Man over to Exhibition. He had no choice and this is why I also deleted Red Exit. I may, or may not, call for a Vote and a re-writing of the FAQ. I truly believe that my interpretation of the Rules is the correct one and is more in keeping with the spirit of the Challenges because it encourages experimentation and gives a wide latitude to the Artist. To Wit: "As long as the main element or the dominant & significant portion of the composition was shot within the Challenge period, then certainly considering the inherent complexity of any composite work, the image would be considered eligible." Of course I understand that I could be voted down on this. This is something I'm still thinking on. For Mr. Puff, from today's Los Angeles Times review of a new John Constable showing of his 19th Century Art: "Sometimes Constable adds to the composition to balance it or direct the visual narrative your eye likely will follow. (He was well versed in ongoing debates about what made a landscape painting picturesque.) In the Huntington's 6-footer, "View on the Stour Near Dedham" (1822), a fallen tree trunk on the riverbank and a man in a rowboat have been edited out from the adjacent sketch. But a hulking barge and a rowboat at the right have been added. These revisions are essential to the picture's success. The barge-worker's pole, a carefully placed hay rake on the shore, the angled oar of the rowboat, an arching footbridge in the distance — these and other straight and curved elements of the composition visually knit together nature and human industry. The light-infused landscape of England and the steady industriousness of its people are the warp and weft Constable weaves together here, as seamlessly and as tightly as if on a loom. I choose that weaving metaphor on purpose. For what Constable's landscapes do not show — in fact, what they might even be said to suppress, if only by virtue of omission — is the cataclysmic alteration of British society underway during his lifetime. England's roaring Industrial Revolution, which was fueled by building factories that eventually produced two-thirds of the world's woven goods, transformed the way British society had been organized for centuries. Constable's paintings contain no blue skies blackened by smoke belching from industrial chimneys. Cities newly swollen with displaced workers do not appear. Tensions between a working class and a newly emerging middle class play no part in landscapes where the promise of harmony and calm is prized. (Omitted Text) As we know, however, spontaneity and authenticity have next to nothing to do with the big, handsome oil sketches. Cobbled together from other, smaller sketches, sometimes over the course of years, they were one major step on the way to the completed work. And in this exhibition those finished canvases reassert their primacy in Constable's career." Please note that if Constable can Cobble together his monumental canvasas, some times over years, then so should we be able to do so. I might add that I am not a big fan of Constable's, but I do understand what he was doing as an Artist. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		06-Feb-2007 17:44
Such impassioned responses...this is indeed art, wherever it may finally reside. --Mary Anne

Guest		06-Feb-2007 13:46
Michael If I'm most critical of your work it's only because of the high esteem with which I hold you. I can only wish to one day be able to produce work of the standard you seem to consistently deliver. In the meantime, I have to resort to words! (There are others here who also inspire me, and I believe I am as critical of those at times). Traveller: I imagine that if you were a personal friend, you would be the most loyal and dependable imaginable. Your defence of work you deem worthy is always so passionate, and I admire your willingness to lay your feelings so bare! Even if we don't always agree :) As to the eligibility of the image, I'm not going to complain about that. It's welcome to stay here, IMO. Phil

Canon DSLR Challenge		06-Feb-2007 10:54
Okay, so take me out and beat me with an ugly stick...I am wrong. Damn! The Rules are ambiguious...the FAQ is not. Sigh....as pooh the Bear would say, If I only had a Brain." Be Good, A properly chastized, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		06-Feb-2007 08:54
No, No, No, Mr. Puff you may NOT move this to Exhibition. This rule you cite that all components of a final piece of work must be shot within the Challenge period is an artificial one...and interestingly, one constructed you yourself. I think you put this rule into effect to push yourself a little harder, to set the bar higher for yourself personally...this was argued at the time and on various subsequent occasions. I believe that a sizeable number of people agreed with me that as long as the main element, dominant or significant portion of the composition was shot within the Challenge period, then certainly considering the inherent complexity of any composite work, the image would be considered eligible. That is the Rule. At least as I understand it. Now you are certainly free to do as you wish, however I would object to you, willy-nilly, setting rules and more importantly setting precedent that the rest of us then must follow. You are an Artist...not a Rulemaker....leave that business to me...lol (I do however remain open to contrary, well-reasoned arguments. I have reviewed the FAQ on this question and I find no clear delineation of what applies, which, as I think about it, is as it should be. There are places and real purposes for ambiguity in the world, and this seems a fine example of when the well fashioned ambiguity is appropriate.) Best Wishes, Traveller

Guest		06-Feb-2007 06:52
Thank you all for the lively discussion and taking the time to comment. First, I must apologize that I uploaded this to the Eligible Gallery as I had intended it for Exhibition. While the piece was wholely inspired due to this challenge and executed within the challenge period, some of the images in the composite were shot outside of the challenge period. I had intended to upload to Exhibition and it's my bad that I did not do so...I wasn't paying close enough attention. Again, apologies and I will move the image to Exhibition before voting starts. Judi, alexeig, Bruce, Julie, Melbob, PK, Sharon, and Vikas...thanks ever so much for your comments. Pops, I do think there's a compliment buried in your comment and I'll take it as such, LOL! Phil and Traveller...geez, I don't know exactly what to say but I'll try to muddle through it: Traveller, I'm thrilled the image has spoken to you...what more could anyone ask. I would never have had the hubris to compare myself to Lang and Chaplin...it just wouldn't really occur to me...but it's certainly a thrill to read you do so. I thank you for your assessment and your defense of my concept. It is far more eloquent than my own written defense would be, so I'll simply say thank you for your efforts and that you've tuned into exactly where I wanted to go with this piece. Phil, you are perhaps my most ardent and severe critic...or maybe you are just the most verbal, LOL. I genuinely appreciate that you take the time to speak your mind. Perhaps all I can say is that you are holding me to achieve something I wasn't trying to achieve here. I wasn't going for something totally believable and "natural" looking. I was going for a pastiche of ideas through the images. That being said, I do take it to heart that the image as a whole failed to reach you in its execution. Keep pushing me, it's appreciated. -Michael

Canon DSLR Challenge		05-Feb-2007 23:21
Ahh, but Phil, while maybe you could make it...could you think of it, conceptualize it, see it in your mind's eye or...would you just see something else? Something your could do equally well maybe...but you wouldn't think of this. That's what I'm saying. I would however like to thank you for your allowing me my passionate advocacy for this image. I am an advocate, an enthuiast as I've noted before....and if I've made you smile, hey, that's the spirt I mean my writing in and so I am very happy that you take this well. Damn, I want this image to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...lol Though I would be accepting of Bruce's work winning also, or Gayle, Vikas or another dark horse. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		05-Feb-2007 23:18
A minor nit, Michael, where the inner arm connects to the torso, the transition could be a little better. My presumption is that you'll fix this eventually, before printing or final press fun...lol. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		05-Feb-2007 22:56
Traveller - you make me smile, and I don't have the heart to answer all your points... Ultimately, I just don't "believe" in the image. And, despite what you state, I do think many of us could make this image - and that, perhaps, is my point. Almost all of Michael's work I believe I simply couldn't make - they are that far out of my reach. I don't feel that with this one. Phil

Canon DSLR Challenge		05-Feb-2007 20:38
Well, I have to disagree with both Phil and Pops. There are several issues here: 1. For me this calls up both Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times. It has resonance in our past consciousness. 2. No one has to like Art to agree that it is Art. The cavails against this image are...just that...Too Much Photoshop? Maybe the better question is what is Michael trying to say...to you...beyond the simple physicality of the image. Maybe you don't hear him, maybe you don't care...these are acceptable positions...but to simply say too much PS is to say, really....nothing. 3. There is the question of technical competence....none of us could make this image, that's one thing, but it is very technically acomplished. Or do you disagree? 4. This is in your face-ish. Some people like this or find it courageous...others are offended. Own up to what camp you are in. 5. The cog work is just inserted? What kind of criticism is that? Does it fit the image? I do not particularly like the hole in the head, (seems too modern for the context), but that may be a problem with me. The cog work in the chest is absolutely necessary. I could go on and on, but you get the idea....I don't think that you are meeting the image on its terms....the terms dictated by the Artist...and this may breed a little resentment on your part. Certainly you don't have to vote for this...not pretty image, an image that demands something back from you. But I do think that you have to respect it and what it represents. Best Wishes, Traveller

Guest		05-Feb-2007 13:19
Phil, you're not alone. Too much PS for me. It's still a brilliant photo and great execution but it won't get my vote.

Guest		05-Feb-2007 11:28
I'm afraid I'm going to get out my dissenting voice on this one again. While we all know (of course) that this must be a PhotoShopped entry, I do feel that it just looks too Photoshopped... Michael - in may ways you are a victim of your own success. You have set a standard, and on those rare occasions you fail to reach it, it seems very obvious. While many of us would be delighted with an image like this, from you I think it falls short - the PS work is clever, but doesn't really feel as if it belongs; the cogs (for example) are just added onto the body. Blended in well enough, but still very false looking. Phil

Vikas Malhotra		05-Feb-2007 08:23
A very interesting image Michael. Well done. Cheers, Vikas.

elips		05-Feb-2007 04:28
Well done, Michael! This is fabulous! ~Sharon

photokhan		05-Feb-2007 03:09
Rather interesting take, this one... It's great the way the arm muscles mimic the cable tension (...or vice-versa, of course...) PK

Canon DSLR Challenge		04-Feb-2007 23:57
Beautifully composed and produced Michael. Hope your model comes through the operation to remove those cables without too much trauma! Just a suggestion Michael, you might want to slap a little paint onto your back door.... it is looking a little 'worse for wear'? (neighbours might complain!) OH.... did I say 'WOW' ? ~Regards Melbob

Julie Bird		04-Feb-2007 23:29
Ouch! That must hurt. Great concept, masterly execution. Love the monochrome, metalic feel. Julie

Bruce T Jones		04-Feb-2007 22:12
The Borg.

Canon DSLR Challenge		04-Feb-2007 20:57
I don't see this as clever, it is frickin' genius! I mean really, the way the cable enters the lower abdomen, exiting the shoulder (?)...the tension and symmetry of the components...I mean...wow! Best Wishes, Traveller

alexeig		04-Feb-2007 15:17
Is it SP?

alexeig		04-Feb-2007 15:16
Your surrealistic approach at its best. Very clever.

Guest		04-Feb-2007 10:44
Wow Michael, you always come up with something so dramatic and clever! Judi