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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 142- Chairs and Seats >> Challenge 142 - Exhibition > 2nd: Modern Rockwell
by Lonnit Rysher
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17-DEC-2005 Lonnit Rysher

2nd: Modern Rockwell
by Lonnit Rysher

Canon EOS 10D ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/125s f/3.5 at 27.0mm iso200 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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janewigginsphotography27-Sep-2007 02:17
I, personally, will enter a previously entered image if it fits the topic in exhib. Lately, I've entered images taken that perhaps haven't been seen before. I don't understand the fiasco in entering an image even if it been shown many many many times. If it is a classic, and it fits, why the heck not? I think it is unwarranted to comment on an image based on it being shown before vs. its connectivity to the topic. I mean, that's what exhib is for.... either you have an old image or perhaps you've created one not seen before. What's the deal? Either you like it or you don't. Sure it may get less votes .... personally I vote for an image that fits the topic and stands out. If it is a classic, such as this.... and it stands out beyond the rest, I'll vote for it. I don't understand any comment other than viewing the image as it is connected to the challenge... does it have a chair? yes. Is it on topic? yes. Do you like it? there is the discretion. Great shot Lonnit.. and perfect for the challenge. jano
ctfchallenge23-Sep-2007 15:47
I don't understand what is so self-centered about my comment:

"as an image is repeated, it gets less and less votes" - this is true. I've noticed it with my images, I've noticed it with other's images. Even when voting, if I've voted for a particular image 3 or 4 times in the past, I tend to not vote for it again after that. Nothing self-centered about that part.

"I find this discouraging when I love one of my images" - we all have images of our own that we love. If we didn't, we would not pursue the art. Why continue to do something that brings no pleasure? I love this picture! He is my son and it's a cute shot. As his mother, how could I not love it? If loving my children and loving photography is self-centered, then I guess I must be self-centered.

"...and it's done so well" - An image does well in the challenges, it doesn't do well, or it falls somewhere in-between. This one did well. That's a fact, not an opinion. Facts are not self-centered. It has been heavily commented upon and has gathered many votes in the past. On Flickr it is one of my most-viewed, most-commented, most-favorited images, and it has appeared in "interestingness" in the #24 slot. I cannot view these statistics and then deny that the image has done well. It has. I could hate the picture and still not be able to refute these facts.

"and then it is left to whither on the vine." - I hate to see people grow tired of an image by overexposure to it, be it mine or anyone else's. Anyone who loves it so much that they would like to view it daily, are welcome to purchase a print! LOL! I'm still missing the self-centered part. Please explain it to me.

"I'd rather they retire as champions. :)" - we've all seen the athlete that's competed too long, or tries to make a comeback. It's not pretty. I feel it's better to go out a champ than to go out a has-been. That's heartbreaking to me... so sad. It's a good feeling for someone to be at the top of their game, or on the way up, learning more and more and improving each day. To me, each image has a life of it's own. I want them to retire loved, not overexposed to the point of people being sick of seeing them. I like the old adage, "Always leave them wanting more". I don't want anyone burning out on my pictures. Sure, there are some people that will never like what I create, and that's fine with me. This world would be horribly dull if we all liked the same thing. But, for those who like my images, I'm keeping new ones coming all the time, and hopefully, they'll enjoy them. This one is very special to me; it's my most successful image and an all-time personal favorite of mine. As the artist, I'm entitled to enjoy my own creations. I believe this one to be my personal best. I'm proud of it and I worked very hard to get to the point of being able to create such a thing. I'm 100% happy with the final piece and wouldn't change a thing about it. It's an incredibly satisfying thing for me. It was a moment of reassurance that told me I was on the right track and that I can become the photographer I want to be if I continue to pursue this passion of mine. It boosted my confidence and justified all my efforts to that point. There's an incredible satisfaction in creating something that is received so well. The reward is enormous and I don't want to water down the feeling by boring people with it's redundancy. If that is self-centered, than you are indeed correct and I will happily accept that.

I'm not worried about the votes; I just dont' want to be boring, redundant, and predictable, nor should I rest on my laurels, lest I stop growing and learning and striving to attain new heights. :)

Lonnit
Guest 22-Sep-2007 01:41
I'm sorry to say this but this is very self centered and pathetic sounding what you said: Rod, I too was thinking that there are newer challengers that have not seen some of the older images. I do notice though that as an image is repeated, it gets less and less votes. I find this discouraging when I love one of my images, and it's done so well, and then it is left to whither on the vine. I'd rather they retire as champions. :)

The image however, stands on it's own. It doesn't have to garner lots of "votes" to be appreciated and as you know, the appreciation has been shown time and time again. Stop worrying about VOTES! Mpix
Julie Bird19-Sep-2007 00:15
Lonnit, this really is a great image. Julie
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Sep-2007 01:57
Thank you, guys. :) ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge16-Sep-2007 21:40
This is a wonderful image Lonnit and the chair really adds to the image, I'm glad you posted it into the challenge! Maurice
ctfchallenge16-Sep-2007 18:21
I don't like Rockwell very much. I do like this. You can take credit for the result regardless of the impulses that get you there. Brava! -tv
Canon DSLR Challenge16-Sep-2007 15:08
Mary Anne, thank you so much. I couldn't hope to hear a finer compliment than that. I'm touched.

Rod, I too was thinking that there are newer challengers that have not seen some of the older images. I do notice though that as an image is repeated, it gets less and less votes. I find this discouraging when I love one of my images, and it's done so well, and then it is left to whither on the vine. I'd rather they retire as champions. :)

TV, I'd hardly believe I could improve on Rockwell, but I am sincerely flattered by your compliment. The scene was found, not staged. My son (this one's twin) and I were making cookies. He was pulling up a chair to watch them bake as I left the room. Hubby came by and saw it and called me in. I immediately raced for the camera. As I squatted down to shoot, he said that he didn't want to take pictures and walked away. I immediately called his twin in as a stunt double. He happily obliged me as he climbed up on the chair and struck this pose on his own. As I pulled the image up on the screen, I immediately was hit by its Rockwellian qualities. I proceeded to process it to enhance the colors to match his. The print has won 2 ribbons in competition.

Thank you, Andy, Aam, Armin, and Tom.

~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge16-Sep-2007 03:18
Simply perfect. I think Rockwell would approve.
--Mary Anne
Rod 16-Sep-2007 00:03
Yes this is a great shot. We did discuss a while ago about how we keep posting the same images everyones seen before but I find I've started repeating again as we have quite a few newcomers who haven't seen our great works:-)
So bugger it, lets repeat until the complaints start coming in:-)
arminb15-Sep-2007 19:48
ahhh, was great and of course still is great :o)
aam1234 15-Sep-2007 18:34
Ha ha, this photo always puts a smile on my face. Your son must be really hungry.

Good work.
ctfchallenge15-Sep-2007 17:01
Excellently imitative, Lonnit. It not only captures the old tones and topicality of Rockwell, but imo, it improves on them and has a better sense of humor - making fun of Rockwell's staid poses. -tv
Guest 15-Sep-2007 16:02
Love it, love it, love it! The retro color/lack of, the composition & lines frame the little guy in perfectly.
ctfchallenge15-Sep-2007 15:50
Pool steps aren't meant to be seats? Yeesh!

Rod, I didn't enter the oven image b/c I'd used it several times already. But, based on what you said, I guess I'd only used it in CSLR and not here. So, being that I really wanted to enter it here, here it is! :) ~ Lonnit
Guest 15-Sep-2007 15:49
Brilliant!!