Photo Assignment #6: Decisive Moments

Well, he barred me from using flowers in the 'getting closer' stage, so what do you expect. Still stuck on number 2 ... (have to go see if any of the sundews have caught a wasp)

brettania wrote: Turerkan wrote: I encourage you to discuss about the assignment even if you aren't posting an image. Mumble, mumble, mumble .... no budding flower shots..... mumble, mumble... discrimination.... mumble, mumble, mumble.... -

Ok, Cam your old but not that old to only be speedy enough to catch a flower:)
-LOL!

Dirk: i agree with your suggestion, i'll change the sample image and update the rules.
cam: one exhibition should be enough for you at least for a year! *evil laughter*
The Shoeman: i guess you are the one that got my point best! yes, an exceptional sports shot can be a decisive moment, but not a regular touch-down. I guess i'll make another change in the rules for this.
mikef: well, i know the assignments are hard.. but thats what is fun about it. Besides, if it was something that you can do already (and easily) what would be the benefit for you in doing it? i'm pushing you for your own good lol..

Turerkan wrote: The rule about sports is now changed to: in sports/action/performance events where an action is anticipated, just merely getting the moment is not enough (eg. touch-down moment, or goal moment) it will be accepted only if that moment has a uniqueness that sets it apart from other similar moments. the sample is taken down until i choose something more suitable.

Here would be another example of an extra ordinary moment. This is one of the most famous photographs, I'm sure most of you have seen it even if you are not a sports fan.

(Let me know if it is not as famous as I think it is.)

I am not showing the picture because I obviously did not shoot it (I was not even born when it was taken) but I would like to use it as another example of that 'Decisive Moment' we are looking for in this assignment.

Bill - crop that touchdown to show the kid scoring the touchdown and I think you end up with a decent sports shot that shows good timing. What I think separates this (and brings it closer to the 'decisive moment' category) is what else you captured - the ref striding over with whistle in mouth; the opposing players (particularly the rightmost one with his mouth open and the one to the right who missed the tackle), the guy in green about to clap (kind of nice that the green shirt balances the ref !) Those elements elevate it from a "touchdown" to an event of (some) significance.

BTW, as for the hockey shot ... nobody (in the US) watches hockey ;)

Bob - what fun would this be if we all agreed :) I don't see your three samples as 'decisive moment' shots. In shot 1 (I actually thought the lady was yawning !) you captured an expression, but even a momentary expression isn't a decisive moment ... there wasn't a moment in which things were happening inside that 2:3 frame to make a great shot. (I imagine that we'll end up with many of us agreeing to disagree to some extent as to what constitutes a 'decisive moment' shot). Similarly, the other 2 are well-captured candids, but presumably the photographer was anticipating "something" and not recognizing a scene that came together suddenly to make a great image. Those shots are all about subject & expression, not about things in the frame coming together at a decisive moment.

In other words, just because a shot depends on the shutter being pressed at the right moment, I don't think that makes it a decisive moment photograph in the style of HCB (which inspired this latest assignment).

Anyway, this will be fun because I think it's the assignment most subject to interpretation so far !

CTYankee wrote: ...but presumably the photographer was anticipating "something" and not recognizing a scene that came together suddenly to make a great image. ...Anyway, this will be fun because I think it's the assignment most subject to interpretation so far !

I'm not sure how un-anticipated these images can be - I find myself thinking of the famous CB picture of the guy jumping over the water - which is caught just before the surface of the water is broken and while the reflection remains... I'm not familiar with all the background story to that picture*, but I'm fairly sure that CB, seeing the guy approach the puddle may just have maybe anticipated that something might occur...

...but you are very right that it will be fun to see what it produces!


[*If anyone can enlighten me I'd be grateful!]