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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 91 - In the Style of Art (hosted by Traveller) >> Exhibition > Illustration
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March 9, 2007 Jim H2

Illustration

Something different? Let the debate begin on the merits of graphic novels and comic books as art.


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Canon DSLR Challenge14-Apr-2007 07:33
Well, I like the eyes and the faint blue in the final frame also. I am sure that times your little girls are devils....lol...and they probably appreciate this more than you...because they KNOW that, sugar and spice, yes, but at times demons too. Best Wishes, Traveller
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Apr-2007 14:46
I don't think I ever said that I doubted comics are an art form because I do think they are. I just put it out there for an interestng debate (but now we are having a far more interesting debate, no?). As for the few touches of color, maybe you're right. I've come to think of them as a distraction- in particular the red eyes.. I think I didn't trust the images enough to differentiate between the "good guy's and the "bad guys" (Wierd to refer to my little girls as the bad guys) Seems like a copout to change it now anyway.

If I may- In your mind, where is the line is drawn between photography and something else? Clearly you don't see this as photography. What is the first image in this gallery that you belive crossed that line?

Jim H2
Daniel Bollag13-Apr-2007 13:23
I do maintain my doubt about this being photography, but—of course—comics are an art-form (at least IMHO)! What makes you doubt, Jim H2?? (BTW, I agree with kiki2 on avoiding colors all together in this particular image.) — db.
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Apr-2007 00:30
I certainly consider cartoons to be an artform, perhaps it's the general consensus. After all, the Yellow Kid started it all way back in 1894 (had to look the year up though). I've mostly stopped buying them now, but still have a bookshelf full of Will Eisner, Gérard Lauzier, Milos Manara, Claire Bretcher, Hugo Pratt, Serge's "Tintin" and many more. As a kid i had boxes full of compulsory reading from Marvel Comics and Disney etc. It's popular culture, but I often see strong signs of mutual exchange between executors of the fine arts and comic book artists/cartoonists. Few have ripped the genre off more blatantly than Roy Lichtenstein but among more contemporary artists, sizes like Jeff Koons obviously also pick up inspiration from comic book/cartoonist styles.

As for your entry here, it's an OK convertion...I think. Never tried it myself - will have to now! Since this is mostly B&W I would have avoided colors all toghether but no big deal. The text is exciting, there's a storyline, the zoom is good, and "to be continued".. lol - as annoyingly teasing as always. I think you've pinned the spirit of it all just perfectly.
-kiki2
Guest 12-Apr-2007 20:17
I'm surprised more of the comments aren't debating if comics are art or not.

Any way, this started as 3 quick pictures of my kids (and a neighbor) playing in the driveway. I wanted to enter something different, something unlike me- so I came up with this. Since I don't have Photoshop I used the editing software that came with my computer. I converted them to B&W, then to a negative then used a "glowing edges" filter. Then I pumped up the contrast and exposure, reversed the negative and went to work fine tuning. I filled in certain areas black, removed some elements, added the type and here we are.

Thank for the great comments, Jim H2
Canon DSLR Challenge12-Apr-2007 14:01
This is my favorites, fascinating, congratulations. I am a fan a graphic novels and my hero is Joe Sacco (highly recommended). The merits of graphic novel art is not debatable any more and Scott McCloud in has excellent books on the subject. Graphic art preceded other forms and certainly writing, I saw that on temple walls in Egypt and other ancient civilizations. My personal story regards my son who is/was dyslectic and had the worst time learning how to read. I got him hooked to graphic novels (TinTin and others) which by combining the words with illustration got him interested in reading and helped him a great deal. Now he is caught up with his peers. Sam Attal
mcbit10-Apr-2007 05:48
Well done! I think that this is excellent work and just as valid in terms of the challenge as anything else which has been posted. The rules were, by my understanding, wide open and this has encouraged an interesting and diverse collection of images.
Canon DSLR Challenge10-Apr-2007 00:44
This is amazing. I'd like to hear what steps were used in the PP to get this effect. I suspect "edge detect" of some sort along with reducing to two colors but once this is all over, and all can be revealed, I'd still be curious to hear. To me, the effect is great and the whole concept is wonderful and original. Good job mystery person! Jim H.
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Apr-2007 16:34
No need to apologize sir, I entered a completely different sort of image above that has no comments at all and that is far worse I assure you. Controversy over one's work can be exciting, ambivilence towards it is defeating.

And for the record, I don't own a single comic book so this was a big stretch for me
Daniel Bollag09-Apr-2007 16:23
You used your camera: that answers my question (which was just that: a question). Maybe I was not polite enough; and if so, possibly because what I don’t like in this challenge is the fact that, as you put it, «very few of the entries ... resemble photographs in the "traditional sense"». I thought we were supposed to show «photographs in the "traditional sense"» that took compositional and other elements from the painters (but without converting the photos into drawings or paintings). It seems *I* misunderstood something. Now, you would like to know if your image is «any good»; my answer is: I do not know either (as I’m not an expert in comics at all), but, yes, I find it interesting at least. If I sounded unfriendly (which was not my intention), I do apologize! — db.
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Apr-2007 16:23
The PP work here to make the photos look like illustrations is amazing! Congratulations to the "Artist" for a job well done! Some illustrations certainly can be art and if done by a famous artist would probably get big bucks at an auction. Is this a Melbob? ;-) CJ
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Apr-2007 15:59
Your definition of photography? I haven't a clue what this has to do with it. For the challenge however I think it fits. I didn't create this challenge - I am only participating in it. I thoutht the idea was to recreate or interpret different artistic styles using photgraphic techniquies and or post processing. As such, I tried for something that maybe no one else would think of- a graphic illustration. Since I have little photographic talent, I chose the post processing route to achieve the effect. Very few of the entries in theis challenge resemble photographs in the "traditional sense", this one probably least of all. It was fun to do, however and I make no apologies. I did use a camera and it took more than applying watercolor filter to complete it. I don't know if its any good, maybe future comments will provide some insite on that.
Daniel Bollag09-Apr-2007 15:25
What exactly has this to do with photography? — db.
Canon DSLR Challenge09-Apr-2007 14:52
And maybe a little Roy Lichtenstein?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Lichtenstein

Waam...indeed. I like the red eyes in panel one.

Best Wishes, Traveller