HALLOWED GROUND

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. There is a disconnect here. We've accepted that you don't like the photo. In fact you hate it. We've also accpeted that it is your right to not like it. And, not ony that, it is your right to state that dislike. Okay.

 

Now let me give you a parable and then I shall leave this subject as something your engineer's mind is incapable of comprehending. Two men need to go from point A to point B. There is no hurry, as there are no time limitations upon them and no reward for getting there first. There are many people placed between these two points. Children playing, teens hanging out, parents visiting... Person 1 chooses to push his way through knocking anyone and anything in his way to the ground and shoving everyone out of the way without regard to manners or the enmity that evolves from his actions. Person 2 weaves and bobs around the obstacles, maybe even stopping occasionally to observe how these people are enjoying themselves and observe the children playing.

 

So, John, perhaps you thrive on that powerful feeling of pushing people aside, of not caring what effect your words have on others, and of not choosing the kinder gentler road. The issue is not criticism, The issue is the way you express yourself. I hope you at least have enough sense not to loose your venom on some of the younger and newer members here.

 

Good day to you, sir.

David, nice but I think this story is more appropiate. http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Emperors-New-Clothes.htm

I wish I could say that was unbelivable...but I have read many of John's other comments...He has to his credit said some very positive comments to other P.neters but... for the most part I think he is a very unhappy person...just an opinion gathered from his words...

 

His rude manner was deffinitly right up there with some of the most discourteous comments I have read on P.net....I am glad to see that he has removed his portfolio from this site...Weather the reason was because of people not doing their art as John Falkenstine wants them to do it.... or because of embarassment of of his negative remarks...whatever the reason I hope he finds his path to happiness.

 

Interesting that this image is about a funeral...people coming to pay respect to people they don't even know....A little respect goes along way...Juan

Thanks. I honestly don't think that embarassment or guilt is likely to occur from Mr. Falkenstine. He is entitled to his opinions, but I have decided that they shall be ignored by me from now on. Should he ever wish to engage in a civil conversation, I will be happy to accommodate him. Peace out bro.

Don't change it.

 

Thank those who try to 'help' by changing your photos, but ignore them. (I think it is rude to tell the truth, it's happened to me in the past. I think good critique manners should mandate that you ask before downloading and manipulating someone else's photos)

 

And finally, take joy in extremely negative comments. It is living proof that you touched someone so strongly that they were forced to react. Although the quality of negative comments can vary greatly.

 

It is my belief you can only learn from people who dislike your work and then give detailed comments as to why. People who like what you do, can only pat you on the back and say, 'Attaboy!' While gratifying, they think too much like you do to give you much in the way of new perspective. People who just try to sandbag you by saying, 'Your photo, you, and the horse you rode in on, just plain suck!', are dealing with other issues than photography. (A convenient philosophy for me to have, what?).

 

It's a strong photo, but you knew that. Good shooting.

Thank you. I think the interesting thing about this photo is not the discussion as to whether or not it has any merit (because it obviously has merit to me if to nobody else) is the way people respond. I've always found the way people respond after a sporting event way more interesting than the sporting event itself. Same thing applies here. The photo....it will live or die on its own. The responses....priceless.

It might be about a funeral, but that doesn't change the fact that the photograph is poorly manipulated and that the main item of focus is not the funeral but the ass of a person. So, the composition, despite the long verbal essay that accompanies it, does not make the grade. The manipulation is very, very, poorly done and no personal issues have anything to do with this fact. I find it unfortunate that the party who posted the image couldn't come to grips with this basic fact and had to resort to innuendo and totally missed the fact that he was using the critique forum to gather praise only. When a counter-critique appeared that basically pointed out the issue in very few words, he boinked out, which is something he's done before on other netsites as well. The basic issue is: images presented in the critique forum are open to critique and that's what I did, and appear to have been the only one on this image so far. I'm actually a very happy guy, but do believe that the critique forum is for critique and not smelling each other up. I challenge Dave as a long time poster to fess up that this image ain't so hot.

Actually, I critiqued it as well, and for much the same thing, just in a less strident way. I must say that for such an incredible goofball, David was very mature in his response to me . . .

David, I just love it, great shot!

So nice to see you back here. I have not heard from you in a long time. Did you read all the commentary, or did you use good common sense and just go to the bottom line.

...I just chose to stick to the photo, which was beautiful to me. I've never been lucky enough to photograph a funeral service.

 

I don't really say much, but I'm always lurking about, going through your portfolio often as I'm a fan of your photography.

 

What Barry first said about the grayness of the clothing was actually why I felt prompted to leave my post - because the glow was what really captured my attention. It seemed to me that people we couldn't truly see were standing behind the priest watching, perhaps, their own services. For that reason, I don't care for the later manipulations, I felt they took away from the initial response to the first image you'd posted.

 

Anyway...wonderful shot, again, I truly like it!

Well, all I can say is thanks, again. I'm truly glad you like it. I do hope you read the description of the circumstances, because I know you are a cemetery freak and would appreciate the story.

Yes, I did read that, we don't have a Potter's Field here, no chance of my getting a shot like this. I'm happy jealous for you!

Just wondering, given the subject matter, whether it would be in bad taste to tell mr. Falkenstine to get a life?

This was kind of funny. At the time, he pissed me off, but now I just laugh. I'm not particularly defending the image, but I just hated his attitude. I even received emails from some others who had been abused by him, but didn't want to comment in public. He is quite the character. He has (or had) some good photos, but I just don't care to converse on his level.