More than just a portrait...

Wedding photography and fashion shots...

nobody@flickr.com (SerrArris) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:59 -0800

SerrArris posted a new topic:

Dear all!

At the moment I can only moderate the pool every 3 to 4 days, I'm sorry for that.

Most of the submissions are always a joy to look at, and I don't even have to think twice if they are added.

However, there is a increasingly amount of wedding shots for review. Please, read the group guidelines: This is not what the group is for.

And there are also some beauty/fashion shots. This is most of the times a subjective decision for me, if I find those acceptable.

E.g. I do think images like this one are appropriate (as one does get an impression about some "personality" from this image):

If there is only "a beautiful lady" on the frame, however, I will discard it.

To conclude, two images I really love from recent submissions:

Other great work can be found in her stream. Very honest portraits. I consider them as art.

And here is one perfect example of what I think is a great combination of an ackward technique and portrait photography:

Best regards,
Markus

P.S.: If anyone of you (who is a regular follower of this group) is interested in administering the stream with me, write me a note.

Reply to Time for a pool review again...

nobody@flickr.com (Dom Ciancibelli) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:01:24 -0700

Dom Ciancibelli posted a reply:

Hi Marcus,

You stated "For real discussions, flickr has proven to be the wrong place".

Having joined Flickr in 2006 and being the administrator of 6 groups it is just the opposite for the members. Many of us are fine art photographers active in showing our work in galleries and museums who moved from the old "Listservs" for photographers along with the new technology. Our groups have lively discussions that, some of which, have gone on for months and years.
www.flickr.com/groups/haphazart/discuss/72157623331958771/

In one group we have published 3 books of members photographs and have had articles, critiques and profiles written by members to accompany the books. We have ongoing discussions which have links to articles and upcoming photography shows, a quotes page and, in one group we have a list of 364 discussion posts. I started a group called Dora Cam where we purchased ten disposable cameras sending them around the entire United States, Europe and Australia where each member took 4 photographs each, passed the camera on to the next member and when all the shots had been taken developed and scanned the film and then posted the results of the images into a gallery.

The possibilities are endless. I guess a group is what the members are willing to make of it. But in all of our groups we've amassed a group of both advanced amateurs and long time old school professionals who share the same interest in the medium. So this is why I think a group that just showcases their latest photographs with no discussion or combined involvement is, in my point of view, rather dull.

Ciao,
Dom

Reply to Time for a pool review again...

nobody@flickr.com (SerrArris) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:45:59 -0700

SerrArris posted a reply:

Hi Dom!

Most people in flickr just "consume" it or use it just as a showcase. For real discussions, flickr has proven to be the wrong place (small forums are the best for such things in my opinion).

Nevertheless, having a good amount of outstanding photographs in one place is also a good thing. I very much dislike the fact that a lot of group pools in flickr are not curated, and allow to dump hundreds of (most time not worth a view) pictures at a single timepoint.

And to the idea of groups in general: I (usually once a week) visit some pools I really like for inspiration (e.g. Light Club, Minolta XD, some Rolleiflex groups). So there is some sense in the structure.

I will try to fight windmills some more time. If you have any suggestions what one can do about the situation: Please tell me.

Best regards,
Markus

Reply to Time for a pool review again...

nobody@flickr.com (Dom Ciancibelli) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:51:24 -0700

Dom Ciancibelli posted a reply:

At this point, given the 150+ year history of photography, the best portraits are those that go beyond a head shot. I think that most of those now belong in the studio portrait class. Head shots don't tell us much if anything. The inclusion of environment and the unconventional (other than head shots) start to move beyond the old idea of the studio portrait and give a bit of insight into the figure being photographed. Shabby trousers might say more than a pretty face.

Unfortunately as is the case with most groups here on Flickr there is little in the way of participation other than the dumping of images into a group pool. Without discussion over even the slightest bit of participation as in posting favorites I wonder what the point is of belonging to any group? Any ideas?

Time for a pool review again...

nobody@flickr.com (SerrArris) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 01:39:24 -0700

SerrArris posted a new topic:

Dear all!

Just a few favorites out of the group pool, to spare you the time of searching for the diamond gems. I picked up only image compositions:

What are your favorites (all kinds) out of the last weeks in our pool?

Best regards,
Markus

Reply to Week 2 - have a look at...

nobody@flickr.com (Dom Ciancibelli) — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:41:22 -0700

Dom Ciancibelli posted a reply:

Week 2 - have a look at...

nobody@flickr.com (SerrArris) — Wed, 11 May 2011 01:55:44 -0700

SerrArris posted a new topic:

Hello out there!

For those of you who look into the discussions (seems that only a few do so, but nevertheless), I picked up my favorites of the submissions from the pool that go aside with my idea of the pool:

Did I mention that one can submit paintings?

The pool should not only be about emotions, techniques, etc. but also a place to show ideas:

And sometimes, I bend the definitions of what is a "portrait", just because the image of a human in its surroundings is of such a quality. Judge for yourself:

Feel free to pick your favorites out of the pool and post them here.

Best regards,
Markus

P.S.: I changed the submission limit to 2 per day. For the moment, it seems like a perfect solution. The quality of the submissions is going up again, and the amount is manageable. Thank you for participating.

Reply to The rush...

nobody@flickr.com (Dom Ciancibelli) — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:21:58 -0700

Dom Ciancibelli posted a reply:

Marcus wrote: "But how come? Anyone has an idea? It just interests me."

Have you invited many new members recently? Maybe the new members have invited others!

Cheers

Reply to The rush...

nobody@flickr.com (Dom Ciancibelli) — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:32:26 -0700

Dom Ciancibelli posted a reply:

About great portraits.....
Clues can be taken from the masters. We all stand on the shoulders of giants.

Bill Brandt

rcichocki.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/brabdt-b.jpg

fc01.deviantart.net/fs22/i/2008/022/f/8/Ode_to_Bill_Brand...

2.bp.blogspot.com/_IVZszWi9Hz4/TKQcuvLdTTI/AAAAAAAAIgU/Hu...

Ralph Gibson

s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcz4f9T8ub1qztk1w...

25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l96tyzBddI1qahuhjo1_400.jpg

seaofshoes.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345282b769e20133ef9c3b959...

3.bp.blogspot.com/_XLIrWihjKvE/S8R69ycZwmI/AAAAAAAAB84/ks...

Irving Penn

corkap.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/picassopenn.jpg

www.atomconsulting.co.uk/storage/blog-pics/irving%20penn%...

Alfred Steglitz

t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1NDN4yE4jRAg8oSbbqSg_L...

www.all-art.org/photography/fotography/stieglitz_g%20okee...

www.all-art.org/photography/fotography/stieglitz_hands_an...

Edward Weston

img.artknowledgenews.com/files2009nov/Charis-Wilson-wife-...

photography-collection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wes...

Andreas Feininger

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Feininger%2C_The_P...

Dave Heath

www.photoloop.com/images/prints/pht00579.jpg

30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8awm4Qki71qz7e51o1_500.jpg

www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m198003650005.jpg

www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m198003650002.jpg

Tip of the iceberg.

And right here on Flickr one of the best portrait photographers around. Brett Walker.

www.flickr.com/photos/brettwalker/

Reply to The rush...

nobody@flickr.com (SerrArris) — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:08:38 -0700

SerrArris posted a reply:

Just one comment: More submissions now, less substance. I had to reject about 80% of the images.

I really don't want to refine the group rules any further, but let me just notice: "Portrait" means to me an image of a human - no flowers, no animals.

Paintings are welcome, but the "art" feel also applies to those. Just a good realistic drawing/painting portrait is not enough.

And third: The line between erotic/nude photography and portrait may sometimes be washed out. I try to do my best to keep the pool to the portrait side. No pure nude shots, that don't tell me something about the person photographed.

Thank's a lot to all of you who submitted!

Best regards,
Markus