Ran on Photography

[JUN]

Erm, so I decided to take a walk around my small lil' town yesterday and I took some pictures. Uploaded them to Flickr, etc.

Enjoy and speak out your thoughts. Keep in mind that my camera sucks, that's all I'm asking for... The rest you can totally bash.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43845595@N04/

 

[Sugarpop]

Nice, especially the ones of the sky and the sunflower.

I think we have a user, albeit inactive, called Ran.

 

[JUN]

Yes, the ones of the sky are my favorites too.

My purpose in photography is to take reality away from itself you know ? Pick up details that aren't necessarily the objects themselves but... more the relation between them and so. I like actions and concepts and combinations and light rather than meanings and plain pictures. And I'm glad you liked them at least enough to say Nice hahahah.

Also, get me that nickname and I'll worship you forever hahah.

 

[Sugarpop]

You sound like my kind of photographer. I have a (low-end) SLR camera that I sometimes take outside. I'll upload some pictures one day when the shots are good and I feel botherable.

 

[Kuu]

Nice skies indeed. I also liked the textures and cables. Cables usually have such messy, beautiful asymmetric arrangements. Just yesterday I took some pics of cables myself...


CDs scare off birds? I should put some on the garden. Fucking birds get inside the house and fly around and you can never get them out.

 

[JUN]

Yeah, CDs scare off birds because they reflect light and it BLINDS them. Imagine all sorts of protection mechanisms you could create against bird-attacks just using CDs.

 

[Felan]

I rather liked, "Climbing on Evolution".

 

[snowqueen]

Nice photos - you have a good eye - thanks and post more

 

[Kuu]

Yeah, CDs scare off birds because they reflect light and it BLINDS them. Imagine all sorts of protection mechanisms you could create against bird-attacks just using CDs.

From now on I shall wear a tinfoil hat. Have you seen THE BIRDS :smiley_emoticons_mr

 

[JUN]

Nah, I've never seen The Birds. I'd like to and I've tried watching it when it was on TV... It's just that Black&Grey movies make it so hard for me to see them... Lacks visual stimulation.

Also, I will keep posting and thanks for all your comments... Also, please, if you may: see the pictures in the bigger size, it makes them look so much better, really heh.

 

[JUN]

Sooo... Decided to upload a photo a took sometime ago from my house. It's at my Flickr too.

 

[Minuend]

My favorites are those that look up to the sky. I love the sky, it's calming.

 

[JUN]

Here we go, I'll post a few more photos later on tonight or so.

 

[Kuu]

The church one's nice, although I would have given the tower a little more breathing space.

I also like the one of the tree, and the one of the plant-thing that looks like pasta... makes a nice pattern and contrast to the stone's texture.

Hmm I hadn't noticed before that you've been using a relatively wide aspect ratio...



You know, if you keep posting these I'm gonna have to kill you. It makes me feel guilty over abandoning my thread.

 

[preilemus]

this is my favourite

 

[Döden]

Love "Green Fence" and "DIY Amulets." There's an innocence about them. "Green Fence" especially feels surreal, like either there is no ground and only sky, or the fence is situated on an endless field.
What camera do you use?

 

[RubberDucky451]

You've got a good eye for framing the photograph. I would suggest you edit the lighting in photoshop, it'll make a world of difference.

 

[Cobra]

I rather liked, "Climbing on Evolution".

My sentiments exactly.

Reminded me of the time I accidentally left soy beans in a soy milk maker that turned out to not work after I bought it from e-Bay. The water and soybeans sat for like a month. When I went to finally clean it out, I noticed a leaf sticking out of a tiny hole in the top lid. I pulled off the mini processor cap, and out sprung a shit ton of green stalks. I pulled off the big lid, and it smelled TERRIBLE, but there were the most beautiful green leaves and stems all shaped like the inside of the processor chamber!

I have long been obsessed with organic growth on or around dead machines. I saw concept art once with a delapidated tank with vines and blossoms all around it in the middle of a rain foresty area.

The mixture of organic life and manmade is awesome in your pictures, Ran. I really admire your things. "DIY Amulets" was both funny and beautiful. You're talented.

I feel that photographers themselves are the ones who put so much stress on the camera used to take the picture rather than the things that make a picture great. I know what you're talking about when you say "My camera sucks," but... to me, your pictures prove you wrong. That the camera is being wielded by you, Ran, makes it of high quality.

I would suggest you edit the lighting in photoshop, it'll make a world of difference.

I kindly beg to differ. This is just my opinion, but I rather like raw pictures. For advertising, obviously, a more vibrant doctoring of the photo is preferable.

But this is casual viewing. I pity the fool who thinks a great photographer's photos aren't up to par because they don't own/use Photoshop.

 

[RubberDucky451]

I kindly beg to differ. This is just my opinion, but I rather like raw pictures. For advertising, obviously, a more vibrant doctoring of the photo is preferable.

But this is casual viewing. I pity the fool who thinks a great photographer's photos aren't up to par because they don't own/use Photoshop.

Photoshop has a bad reputation with a lot of people. It's really a tool and it takes skill to operate (Getting the perfect black, grey and white values is hard). In a lot of occasions it's used in place of lighting equipment, or a $700+ SLR with a $800+ lens.

 

[Cobra]

Oh, it doesn't have a bad rep with me. I just feel like it's the other way sometimes. Like some people feel like they can't even show a picture until they've had a spare moment to use Photoshop on it. As if to imply that that Polaroid of your dad at your age dancing on a table top with his fly down (being the happiest you've ever seen him) would be any better if you just "added some contrast" in shop. I feel that Photoshop is held in too high of esteem.

That should not be construed to say that Photoshop is for weaklings or something in that regard. I'm not anti-Photoshop. Photoshop is a tool, you're right. It just pains me to see it brought into a critique, that's all. And to be fair, she has Photoshop, I believe, right Ran? But idk, it doesn't seem to me that it has to be used all the time. Especially in the case of these wonderful shots. They're not perfect. It's why I love them.

Here's an example. I shot this, with my phone, on a tilt, during daylight, on a plane:

Spoiler

It's not perfect. But I'd never touch it. And I own Photoshop. I can't explain why. Maybe... it's something like the idea that all bands must record their music on separate tracks, or how all women should wear makeup, or... idk, even to say that only unPhotoshopped photos are beautiful. Hah.

 

[RubberDucky451]

Oh, it doesn't have a bad rep with me. I just feel like it's the other way sometimes. Like some people feel like they can't even show a picture until they've had a spare moment to use Photoshop on it.

Yes, it's like: Let's get a picture of myself and add a filter, that will look cool. Then I'll add some shitty free font i found online and set it in a horrible color. I'll also take a photo of a flower, but de-saturate everything else besides the flower. (search "flower" or "me photoshop" on photobucket)

as if to imply that that Polaroid of your dad at your age dancing on a table top with his fly down (being the happiest you've ever seen him) would be any better if you just "added some contrast" in shop. I feel that Photoshop is held in too high of esteem.

I'm talking about serious photography, not just the point and click. I wouldn't add a photo to my portfolio if it wasn't properly edited. That being said, i think the purest point of view usually only works in private groups of people. If i knew Ran had not used photoshop i would have graded the photos completely differently.

Here's an example. I shot this, with my phone, on a tilt, during daylight, on a plane:

Yeah, it's not perfect but i do like it. My view on editing is this: an attempt to optimize the photo to represent more closely what i saw in real life.

 

[Cobra]

Yes, it's like: Let's get a picture of myself and add a filter, that will look cool. Then I'll add some shitty free font i found online and set it in a horrible color. I'll also take a photo of a flower, but de-saturate everything else besides the flower. (search "flower" or "me photoshop" on photobucket)

Hilar. Literally from a "me flower" search:

Spoiler

I'm talking about serious photography, not just the point and click. I wouldn't add a photo to my portfolio if it wasn't properly edited. That being said, i think the purest point of view usually only works in private groups of people. If i knew Ran had not used photoshop i would have graded the photos completely differently.

Yeah, it's not perfect but i do like it. My view on editing is this: an attempt to optimize the photo to represent more closely what i saw in real life.

Fair enough. I agree.

 

[RubberDucky451]

Hilar. Literally from a "me flower" search:

Spoiler

Fair enough. I agree.

Haha! Oh wow, that's amazing. I've got a few favorites too!

Spoiler

:/ I hate when people agree with me.

 

[Cobra]

:/ I hate when people agree with me.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that you're wrong for this. You should always like when people agree with you.

...we can keep this going all day.

 

[RubberDucky451]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that you're wrong for this. You should always like when people agree with you.

...we can keep this going all day.

I'd like to argue, even if my stance was impossible to defend. I'd also like to get angry at you and insult your mother when i lose.

 

[Cobra]

I'd like to argue, even if my stance was impossible to defend. I'd also like to get angry at you and insult your mother when i lose.

I agree. I'm gonna Photoshop a penis to your head.

 

[Kuu]

The problem really is when people try to hide their lack of talent with photoshop (an all too common occurrence).

Of course, there is no such thing as a "pure" photo, but the capacity to achieve your vision with as little work as possible is something to be admired, and not easy to achieve. But even then a little photoshop does indeed go a long way.


Ran you should get your hands on an SLR. Do it nao!

 

[JUN]

Image manipulation has been happening since forever even when photographing wasn't a digital procedure. Photographers had the possibility to control the time they left their photos in exposure in the amplifier, in the solution that reveals the photo, etc, bla bla bla. Post-production always existed, so I'm all for some photoshop and well, I'm just lazy for that and I like my photos to be raw, I like letting them be to what comes.

I mean, whatever the light's that day, I want it to be that light because I'm trying to represent life and not objects. I'm trying to represent organisms and behaviors between them and geometry. Not objects and pretty.

Just life and it's creations.

What camera do you use?

Panasonic DMC-FX3.

 

[JUN]

Posted some new things:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43845595@N04/

And I want to thank you all for actually seeing my photos ;___; Makes me so happy.

 

[Ogion]

Really nice photos. I like the sky and landscape ones the best (didn't know Portugal was so green when Spain ain't :P ok wlel the parts of Spain i know, mediterranean coast, Valencia)

Ogion

 

[Kuu]

your themes and compositions are so similar to what I've been doing for the past year, it disturbs me You've been spying on me or something....

But it also motivates me to update my flickr, and motivation is a good thing I suppose.

The off-focus train is the best. It's like being there, but "not-being there"... completely oblivious to it...

 

[JUN]

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[Cobra]

Ok, personal Jesus. What's with the big close up of the nasty food?

The blue wings were effing incredible, though.

 

[RubberDucky451]

Whoa, the more i see the more i like

The only thing i can add is. Try to find a foreground for your photos, or a subject. Something to catch your eye, spot of red or something. A human face also is a wonderful focal point.

 

[JUN]

Like a concept, what do you mean RD451 ?

@Cobra:
And the nasty food actually tasted delicious ! Although it did look pretty nasty hahaha, that was the whole thing anyway, I thought it looked pretty good.

Some new stuff i took around the house.

 

[RubberDucky451]

Like a concept, what do you mean RD451 ?

Well, for example. Taking a photo of a flower, the flower is the subject and the foliage around it is the background. That's the best way i can put it

 

[Kuu]

Noooou, bad RubberDucky, BAD! Away with your figurative representationalism! Can't you see the beauty of the detached abstract non-objective! Begone! I won't take you to the bath again if you continue to behave this way... subjects! human faces! ...

The nerve....

 

[RubberDucky451]

Noooou, bad RubberDucky, BAD! Away with your figurative representationalism! Can't you see the beauty of the detached abstract non-objective! Begone! I won't take you to the bath again if you continue to behave this way... subjects! human faces! ...

The nerve....

I too have an affection for strange abstract representations, but i was hurt in my youth.

I'm thinking of making a set of photographs that are anti portraits. I'll just take pictures of the back of my subjects head, and I'll proclaim it as a transcendental statement.

 

[JUN]

Here are a few new photos.

[bimgx=800]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4135145999_4ea4739e16_b.jpg[/bimgx]

[bimgx=800]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4135144065_7af9332bb8_b.jpg[/bimgx]

[bimgx=800]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/4135895582_fbf07fed90_b.jpg[/bimgx]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43845595@N04/

 

[Fukyo]

I really like the ones in the post above. ^

The one titled "Heaven", very pretty.

I'm a sucker for sky photos. <3

 

[RubberDucky451]

I like the lighting on the flower one, and the comp. is nice too

 

[JUN]

Took at the unfinished room where the band I'm in rehearses, I'm lead singer, etc.

 

[Cobra]

I'd be very interested in hearing this band and to know the lyrics and voice of as talented an artist as you are with photography and poetry. Any chance of that?

 

[JUN]

http://www.snapvine.com/message/show/22287556

There you go Cobra, I sang a bit of the song, No voice warm up or anything so don't bother yourself with my errors, I know them hahahah. And the guitar is kinda crappy too since it was a recording the guitarrist did just so i wrote the lyrics.

And here are the Lyrics:

It was a slow day on planet arabesque
We were together for the first time
i blamed the purple rain for loving you so
you blamed the moving clouds for loving me too

Don't worry baby 'cause we are together now
Don't worry honey 'cause i won't let go
Let's see this world while it's filled with vacant hope.
Let's look at it shine... Look at it shine... Look at it shine...

Out of nowhere you took your clothes off, looked at me and barked.
Started running all over the place with a flailing dick.
Then you put your hands down, started running on your fours.
You jumped into a puddle of mud and shaked your body all over the place.

Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey !

Nothing's wrong.
Take your clothes off too.
Nothing's wrong.
Take your clothes off too.

And so I did.

And so I did.

And so I did.

And so I did.

Dear God look at us we're like stupid running dogs
You said: Running dogs on planet arabesque !
Dear God look at us we're like stupid running dogs.
You said: Running dogs on planet arabesque !

Let's have some fun since we are together now
Don't worry honey 'cause i won't let go
Let's see this world while it's filled with vacant hope.
Let's look at it shine... Look at it shine... Look at it shine...

We're running on planet arabesque,
looking at the world...
Shine.
Shine.
Shine.

 

[Wish]

^Damn, that was awesome..pretty unique voice and rad lyrics.

How come you're so talented? It's not fair..

 

[Cobra]

I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it.

Running dogs is the most romantic thing anyone has ever put into a song.

 

[RubberDucky451]

http://www.snapvine.com/message/show/22287556

There you go Cobra, I sang a bit of the song, No voice warm up or anything so don't bother yourself with my errors, I know them hahahah. And the guitar is kinda crappy too since it was a recording the guitarrist did just so i wrote the lyrics.

And here are the Lyrics:

It was a slow day on planet arabesque
We were together for the first time
i blamed the purple rain for loving you so
you blamed the moving clouds for loving me too

Don't worry baby 'cause we are together now
Don't worry honey 'cause i won't let go
Let's see this world while it's filled with vacant hope.
Let's look at it shine... Look at it shine... Look at it shine...

Out of nowhere you took your clothes off, looked at me and barked.
Started running all over the place with a flailing dick.
Then you put your hands down, started running on your fours.
You jumped into a puddle of mud and shaked your body all over the place.

Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey please !
Dear God what's going on please stop honey !

Nothing's wrong.
Take your clothes off too.
Nothing's wrong.
Take your clothes off too.

And so I did.

And so I did.

And so I did.

And so I did.

Dear God look at us we're like stupid running dogs
You said: Running dogs on planet arabesque !
Dear God look at us we're like stupid running dogs.
You said: Running dogs on planet arabesque !

Let's have some fun since we are together now
Don't worry honey 'cause i won't let go
Let's see this world while it's filled with vacant hope.
Let's look at it shine... Look at it shine... Look at it shine...

We're running on planet arabesque,
looking at the world...
Shine.
Shine.
Shine.

I'd love to hear other instruments in it. but me gusta!

 

[Cobra]

OH HELLZ NO HE DIDN'T

me gusta!

 

[Adymus]

Hey Ran, Can I remix you and your Band?
Or maybe even just you.

Free of charge, INTP discount.

 

[JUN]

Whoa, so much positive reaction, I'm overwhelmed. Well, thanks everyone ! And I'm not sure about being that talented... Auhm... Maybe, but like, I lack in so many other things I guess I deserve being talented !

@Adymus, of course ! But how would that work ?

Running dogs is the most romantic thing anyone has ever put into a song.

Thanks ! It was actually the guitarrist who came up with running dogs and called the sketch file he recorded for me "running dogs", I did the rest :).