Comments on: My Flickr Conundrum http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marg http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33524 Marg Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:00:29 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33524 I'm divided by your question Will! 1. I agree with the majority here that in taking the pic in the first place it's part of the everyday 'lived' experience and our everyday practice including taking photos is an intertwined part of that: 'the river of photos and memories' as Alan says... YET... 2. Taking photos (to some) may be a bit like talking on the phone during dinner with friends - are we not 'truly' living in the moment if we live it behind the lens? I guess I'm just provoking really, but it's interesting that in this consumer culture we are all the more consuming and recording our experiences and then (often through Web 2.0) reproducing that to the rest of the world! YET... 3. I like it and it tells a great story where his-tory can become anyone's-tory! :) (Tenious link 101: Has anyone seen the South Park episode where the world is a game show (like Big Brother)? Awesome! I’m divided by your question Will!

1. I agree with the majority here that in taking the pic in the first place it’s part of the everyday ‘lived’ experience and our everyday practice including taking photos is an intertwined part of that: ‘the river of photos and memories’ as Alan says…

YET…

2. Taking photos (to some) may be a bit like talking on the phone during dinner with friends – are we not ‘truly’ living in the moment if we live it behind the lens?

I guess I’m just provoking really, but it’s interesting that in this consumer culture we are all the more consuming and recording our experiences and then (often through Web 2.0) reproducing that to the rest of the world!

YET…

3. I like it and it tells a great story where his-tory can become anyone’s-tory! :)

(Tenious link 101: Has anyone seen the South Park episode where the world is a game show (like Big Brother)? Awesome!

]]> By: Alan Levine http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33492 Alan Levine Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:39:27 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33492 I have my own secret pet dreams that my 10,000 picture of the Sydney Opera House will be the "one" that supercedes all others ;-) No, I make it my own experience, as others have said. Its something about the act of composing, considering a photo that makes the memory more imprinted on my gray matter. But I know what you are saying, and I find myself thinking, if I just take a picture of that _______, is there something I can do more unique, be it cropping, angle, picking out detail, etc. And looking at a single picture is missing the point of it being one among a series of selected photos that document an experience. Maybe its just the statue of liberty, but the next one has little Janey gazing up in awe at the flame or little Jimmy doing his imitation pose. Its a river of photos and memories, not single snapshots. Its very personal, and the photosharing bonus is that if you think the picture is not all that special, you will be gently surprised when it strikes a chord with someone else. I have my own secret pet dreams that my 10,000 picture of the Sydney Opera House will be the “one” that supercedes all others ;-)

No, I make it my own experience, as others have said. Its something about the act of composing, considering a photo that makes the memory more imprinted on my gray matter.

But I know what you are saying, and I find myself thinking, if I just take a picture of that _______, is there something I can do more unique, be it cropping, angle, picking out detail, etc.

And looking at a single picture is missing the point of it being one among a series of selected photos that document an experience. Maybe its just the statue of liberty, but the next one has little Janey gazing up in awe at the flame or little Jimmy doing his imitation pose. Its a river of photos and memories, not single snapshots.

Its very personal, and the photosharing bonus is that if you think the picture is not all that special, you will be gently surprised when it strikes a chord with someone else.

]]> By: Tim Hand http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33447 Tim Hand Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:27:53 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33447 Just having the release of the movie 'Fur' in Australia, based(with filmic licence)on Diane Arbus- she viewed photography as both mysterious and sinister, convinced it captured the souls of people & places she photographed. But the best essay written on photography-a must read for you- is Susan Sontag's 'On Photography'. A number of thesis are explored including that of westerners need for appropriation. I think its also a part of our work ethic-need to be doing while on hols. PS: would loved to have met up, maybe next time when coming down under? Just having the release of the movie ‘Fur’ in Australia, based(with filmic licence)on Diane Arbus- she viewed photography as both mysterious and sinister, convinced it captured the souls of people & places she photographed.

But the best essay written on photography-a must read for you- is Susan Sontag’s ‘On Photography’. A number of thesis are explored including that of westerners need for appropriation. I think its also a part of our work ethic-need to be doing while on hols.
PS: would loved to have met up, maybe next time when coming down under?

]]> By: Jay Hurvitz http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33355 Jay Hurvitz Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:23:03 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33355 Maybe I'm missing something here amid all the comments (and and there are many with which I agree), but among all the comments (so far) I don't find my basic reason. I take photographs for much the same reason that I write to my blog - it helps me focus. Just as blogging is a means of thinking via my fingers, clarifying (first and foremost to myself) my thoughts on a particular matter, so taking photographs - framing, determining what to include but also what to leave out, choosing a specific subject, and more - becomes an integral part of my thinking process. By externalizing my thinking in this way (perhaps "making it concrete"?) I become more aware of what it is I'm really seeing. I photograph less to have a reminder of someplace I've been, or of something I've seen, than I do to be more of that place at that moment. It's perhaps strange that an intervening technology actually closes a gap, makes me more aware of what I'm encountering, but for me, at it's best that's what taking photographs does. Maybe I’m missing something here amid all the comments (and and there are many with which I agree), but among all the comments (so far) I don’t find my basic reason.
I take photographs for much the same reason that I write to my blog – it helps me focus. Just as blogging is a means of thinking via my fingers, clarifying (first and foremost to myself) my thoughts on a particular matter, so taking photographs – framing, determining what to include but also what to leave out, choosing a specific subject, and more – becomes an integral part of my thinking process. By externalizing my thinking in this way (perhaps “making it concrete”?) I become more aware of what it is I’m really seeing.
I photograph less to have a reminder of someplace I’ve been, or of something I’ve seen, than I do to be more of that place at that moment. It’s perhaps strange that an intervening technology actually closes a gap, makes me more aware of what I’m encountering, but for me, at it’s best that’s what taking photographs does.

]]> By: Anthony Powell http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33315 Anthony Powell Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:08:41 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33315 I take the picture because I want to become expert at taking the picture. I take the picture because there is satisfaction in taking a good picture or in taking a picture in some way that may not have occurred to another photographer. I enjoy creating. I tweak my writing, photos, musical pieces, and anything else I am creating because I want it to be the best it can be in terms of expressing my vision. Great question. Thanks to all respondents. A.E. Powell I take the picture because I want to become expert at taking the picture. I take the picture because there is satisfaction in taking a good picture or in taking a picture in some way that may not have occurred to another photographer. I enjoy creating. I tweak my writing, photos, musical pieces, and anything else I am creating because I want it to be the best it can be in terms of expressing my vision.

Great question. Thanks to all respondents.
A.E. Powell

]]> By: Lanny Arvan http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33300 Lanny Arvan Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:27:46 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33300 If there are people you know in the photo, that makes all the difference. That builds a human connection to the place that is not in the professional photo. Otherwise, why indeed? If there are people you know in the photo, that makes all the difference. That builds a human connection to the place that is not in the professional photo. Otherwise, why indeed?

]]> By: Weblogg-ed » Shanghai Bound http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33295 Weblogg-ed » Shanghai Bound Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:34:31 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33295 [...] So picking up on yesterday’s theme (which amazed me in the scope and depth of commentary, btw) here’s a picture I don’t have to take while I’m in Shanghai for the Learning 2.0 Conference this week. There ought to be quite a conversation going on…Gary Stager, Alan November, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and others…I’m sure our host Jeff Utecht will be chronicling it well. I’m just so looking forward to another 19-hours on planes… [...] [...] So picking up on yesterday’s theme (which amazed me in the scope and depth of commentary, btw) here’s a picture I don’t have to take while I’m in Shanghai for the Learning 2.0 Conference this week. There ought to be quite a conversation going on…Gary Stager, Alan November, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and others…I’m sure our host Jeff Utecht will be chronicling it well. I’m just so looking forward to another 19-hours on planes… [...]

]]> By: Lanny Arvan http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33291 Lanny Arvan Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:10:11 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33291 If there are people you know in the photo, that makes all the difference. That builds a connection that is not in the professional photo. Otherwise, why indeed? If there are people you know in the photo, that makes all the difference. That builds a connection that is not in the professional photo. Otherwise, why indeed?

]]> By: Laura http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33283 Laura Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:02:32 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33283 I have shared your view for a long time. I don't take pictures of touristy views any more. Even before the RW web, I bought the commercial postcards and incorporated them amongst the personal pictures of friends and family interacting with the location we visited. (I've also liked supporting artists in any way I can, and since I can't afford expensive art, I do this by purchasing their photographs.) I have shared your view for a long time. I don’t take pictures of touristy views any more. Even before the RW web, I bought the commercial postcards and incorporated them amongst the personal pictures of friends and family interacting with the location we visited. (I’ve also liked supporting artists in any way I can, and since I can’t afford expensive art, I do this by purchasing their photographs.)

]]> By: Greg E http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33233 Greg E Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:22:42 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33233 Hey Will, What a great post to stimulate critical and divergent thinking... I'm going to ask a stretchy question like this in class tomorrow. The responses you got were evidence of thinking in action. Hey Will,

What a great post to stimulate critical and divergent thinking…
I’m going to ask a stretchy question like this in class tomorrow. The responses you got were evidence of thinking in action.

]]> By: lilalia http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33230 lilalia Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:39:07 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33230 I stopped taking photos of scenic sites or monuments years ago. There are a lot of professional photographers, and now good amateur photographers (Flickr, Stockphotos) who do better. Instead, I changed my attitude about photography: I am no longer a documenter (e.g., of family events or vacations), but an explorer (e.g., of nature or portraits or people). I do not carry my camera around unless I specifically want to go out on a photo safari. I’ll get up at before dawn when everyone else is asleep and just go off exploring the world around me. That said, my teenage son has a totally different view. He has developed a taste for photography in the last year or two. Whereas I weed out the good from the bad photos, he keeps them all. His explanation is that he sees photos, text, etc. as property. They belong to him as long as they are on his hard disk. Being of a generation where there was a strict border between physical and virtual, I find this concept somewhat difficult to grasp. My son sees it more as online and offline, digital or analog. This means his photos, stories, friendships, etc. are all real or physical or containing certain properties. I stopped taking photos of scenic sites or monuments years ago. There are a lot of professional photographers, and now good amateur photographers (Flickr, Stockphotos) who do better. Instead, I changed my attitude about photography: I am no longer a documenter (e.g., of family events or vacations), but an explorer (e.g., of nature or portraits or people).

I do not carry my camera around unless I specifically want to go out on a photo safari. I’ll get up at before dawn when everyone else is asleep and just go off exploring the world around me.

That said, my teenage son has a totally different view. He has developed a taste for photography in the last year or two. Whereas I weed out the good from the bad photos, he keeps them all. His explanation is that he sees photos, text, etc. as property. They belong to him as long as they are on his hard disk.

Being of a generation where there was a strict border between physical and virtual, I find this concept somewhat difficult to grasp. My son sees it more as online and offline, digital or analog. This means his photos, stories, friendships, etc. are all real or physical or containing certain properties.

]]> By: Dian Kenney http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33212 Dian Kenney Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:06:44 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33212 For me taking a photo solidifies that time in space in my memory. I recently took a photo of Trunk Bay in St. John's. My photo looked very similar to those I found on Flickr...but my photo was taken through my eyes... my photo-my experiences..your photo-your experiences. For me taking a photo solidifies that time in space in my memory. I recently took a photo of Trunk Bay in St. John’s. My photo looked very similar to those I found on Flickr…but my photo was taken through my eyes… my photo-my experiences..your photo-your experiences.

]]> By: Chan Bliss http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33198 Chan Bliss Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:13:47 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33198 100s of pictures of the places you visited. Wow what a great research tool to use before you get there. Most of the best photos I have taken have not been snapshots but rather ones that I have worked on, studied the area, known what I was shooting. Often I don't shoot a picture when I first get to a spot. I have to look around and see whats there. Your thoughts made me realize that I could scout out an area, see what others see and give me time to think of how to improve the image. All before I leave my home. 100s of pictures of the places you visited. Wow what a great research tool to use before you get there. Most of the best photos I have taken have not been snapshots but rather ones that I have worked on, studied the area, known what I was shooting. Often I don’t shoot a picture when I first get to a spot. I have to look around and see whats there. Your thoughts made me realize that I could scout out an area, see what others see and give me time to think of how to improve the image. All before I leave my home.

]]> By: Brandt Schneider http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33194 Brandt Schneider Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:41:13 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33194 Do we take pictures just because we can? Do we have a fear of missing "the greatest shot ever"? A good test (for photo addicts) is if you could have gone to this beach and left your camera at the hotel. Its hard to go to a famous or beautiful spot and see that the only activity going on is photo taking. Is the memory we are preserving only about taking pictures? Do we take pictures just because we can? Do we have a fear of missing “the greatest shot ever”?

A good test (for photo addicts) is if you could have gone to this beach and left your camera at the hotel. Its hard to go to a famous or beautiful spot and see that the only activity going on is photo taking. Is the memory we are preserving only about taking pictures?

]]> By: BCIU / SJU 5315 » Blog Archive » Will’s “Flickr conundrum” http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-33193 BCIU / SJU 5315 » Blog Archive » Will’s “Flickr conundrum” Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:16:19 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/#comment-33193 [...] http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/ [...] [...] http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/my-flickr-conundrum/ [...]

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