I reckon I just don't get it.

I recently joined a Facebook group called Frames. There is some wonderful photography on this group. But it sure makes me wonder what I'm missing when a blur in the center of a grey background receives an Editor's Choice award. I'm not knocking anyone else's photos, just don't understand what I'm missing. I'm beginning to think that whichever half of my brain is the artistic half must have died and didn't tell me!

I know, different strokes for different folks.

Terry McDaniel wrote in post #19083220
I recently joined a Facebook group called Frames. There is some wonderful photography on this group. But it sure makes me wonder what I'm missing when a blur in the center of a grey background receives an Editor's Choice award. I'm not knocking anyone else's photos, just don't understand what I'm missing. I'm beginning to think that whichever half of my brain is the artistic half must have died and didn't tell me!

I know, different strokes for different folks.

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I would appreciate a link to this blur-in-the-middle photo, or if it is a private group, then at least some way of showing us the image.

I am curious about something; do you typically like abstract images, but just not this particular one that you mention? . Or is it that you have never really been one to appreciate abstractions, and need a photo to be "of something" in order to appreciate it?


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If you look at Terry's images he has posted here, it is pretty obvious that the answer to your question is the latter. Seems to have a preference for detail.

I am a complete moron when it comes to "artistic" photography... hence I tend to have a preference for documentary style photography.... the story over artistic ness. I aspire to take images like Terry discusses that is more abstract and people appreciate it over its structure and such. But I've been shooting for 44 years, and it still hasn't happened. Im still struggling to see in 2d... not the 3d world we live.

My youngest son has it nailed... doesn't even try.... and comes back from theses street car things he goes to with these wonderfully abstract images.... it must skip a generation. But I get what Terry is saying.... I don't get it... often... but still am trying to.

Tom, you'll just have to go to the Facebook group https://www.facebook.c​om …esmagazine/?ref​=bookmarks

I reckon in answer to your question, I am detail oriented. And again, I'm not knocking anyone's work. I just don't get some of it.

Kinda like liver and onions, just because I don't like it doesn't mean no one should eat it. I'm sure it's delicious for some folks.

And it would be a very boring world if everyone's photography was exactly the same.

Remember this. It sold for 4.3 million.

https://petapixel.com …lds-most-expensive-photo/

Terry McDaniel wrote in post #19083535
Tom, you'll just have to go to the Facebook group https://www.facebook.c​om …esmagazine/?ref​=bookmarks

We'd have to join the group in order to see it.

"Private
Only members can see who's in the group and what they post"

Or maybe the OP can post a screenshot of said photo?

gossamer88 wrote in post #19083558
Or maybe the OP can post a screenshot of said photo?

That would be likely to violate the other photographer's copyright.

OK I joined and awaiting response. The curiosity is killin' me...LOL

digital paradise wrote in post #19083541
Remember this. It sold for 4.3 million.

https://petapixel.com …lds-most-expensive-photo/

Yea, I though that silly as well but photos like art are based on perceived value as the photo has no real value other than the cost of the paper. I mean other than hanging it on a wall and looking at it, what else is it good for? I suppose if your freezing to death you can burn it and generate some heat for a short time, but that's not worth 4.3 million.

Terry McDaniel wrote in post #19083220
I recently joined a Facebook group called Frames. There is some wonderful photography on this group. But it sure makes me wonder what I'm missing when a blur in the center of a grey background receives an Editor's Choice award. I'm not knocking anyone else's photos, just don't understand what I'm missing. I'm beginning to think that whichever half of my brain is the artistic half must have died and didn't tell me!

I know, different strokes for different folks.

I guess my tastes rarely match those of contest judges. Whenever I look at contest submissions I almost never agree with the ones chosen as the winners.

The facebook group is not a contest. People are just allowed to post one photo/day. The owner of the group will occasionally give an "Editor's Choice" award, if he sees something he really likes.
I like the group, I see photos I really like, and learn from. And I'll post one from time to time.

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Terry McDaniel wrote in post #19083535
Tom, you'll just have to go to the Facebook group https://www.facebook.c​om …esmagazine/?ref​=bookmarks

Thanks for the link.

I went there and requested to join. They have a few rules that I absolutely love!

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Terry McDaniel wrote in post #19083535
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..... I'm not knocking anyone's work. I just don't get some of it.

Kinda like liver and onions, just because I don't like it doesn't mean no one should eat it. I'm sure it's delicious for some folks.
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Getting (understanding) something and liking something are two very different things, and are not at all mutually inclusive.

The cool thing is that if you don't "get it", then you can learn to get it. . By that I mean that even though you will never like that kind of photography, you are able to learn about it and come to an understanding of why others like it. . You will be able to identify the things that others value in such work.

I like your liver & onions analogy. . I do not like liver myself; it gives me an involuntary gag reflex. . But I totally understand why others like it. . I understand that the texture is something that is delectable to some people, and I understand how the unique texture (a.k.a. "mouth feel") of liver is such a good complement to its flavor; how the texture and flavor work hand in hand. . And yet I cannot stand the stuff!

And so it is with abstract photography - you can learn all about it and learn what it is in any given piece that is special and connects so well with others' sense of aesthetics, and yet never end up liking it at all. . Nothing in art needs to be a mystery to anyone; we can break any piece of art down into its base elements, and then articulate each element, and then articulate how each element in the piece works in conjunction with the other elements to create the overall aesthetic.

Hopefully, the responses you get in this thread will help you to "get it", and to develop an understand of this type of photography. . Even if you never like it or enjoy it, you can appreciate it for what it is ..... like I do with liver & onions.


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I was accepted but could not find a photo as described by the OP.

A lot of the images there are very interesting. Most of those are fine art type.