How do you capture the impossible? Or how do you make something look impossible and surreal? Probably your main questions in this contest because you'll have to photograph a surreal scene.
Yes this sounds hard (and it is) but it is the task. To avoid any issues.... a description should be added to let everyone know why this is "surreal" it it is not apparent.
Maybe you can paste a mask on someones belly or when you somewhere have a whole in the wall you could make someones head vanish in the it and cover the rest of the wall up... If you think about it the possibilities are just limited by your imagination. Think out a surreal scene and find the solution to turn it into a photo.
You need to explain in the SBS how you made this shot.
k5683: hmmm, not quite understanding the description. maybe it is just too late for me ( 5 years and 2811 days ago )
meatman: I am trying to figure out the head vanishing in the wall ?????? ( 5 years and 2811 days ago )
Heathcliffe: Hmmm. I'm lost too. I can only really imagine eiffel tower type pics with perspective play. ( 5 years and 2811 days ago )
kyricom: I'm not sure about the description, but generally surrealism was an artistic movement that felt our subconscious, or dreams, provided a more real interpretation of "our" reality than reality did. Think of Salvidor Dali paintings for examples. ( 5 years and 2811 days ago )
kyricom: Here's a link to surrealism if anyone is interested http://robinurton.com/history/surrealism.htm ( 5 years and 2811 days ago )
Contest Moderator: The object here is to create a scene (photo) that seems impossible. REMINDER that photoshop is still not allowed for this contest.
EmiK: I like it, very challenging. ( 5 years and 2810 days ago )
meatman: In my opinion, since the individual that makes their entry might have their own definition of surrealism, let your vote reflect your own definition. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
kyricom: ummmm... surrealism is already defined very well. It was a literary movement, and then an even bigger visual arts movement. Definitions for it are all over the place, it isn't "individual" ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
Contest Moderator: Yes this sounds hard (and it is) but it is the task. To avoid any issues.... a description should be added to let everyone know why this is "surreal" it it is not apparent. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
robvdn: IMHO every photo entered which is taken 'out on the streets' is basically off theme, this contest asks for preparation and a studio set up. There's a difference between 'looking surreal' and 'surrealism', these kind of contest never give a problem in photoshop so I do not understand why it is such a big problem now... :s ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
meatman: I believe you just answered your own question about why it is such a problem. The problem is the preparation and studio set up related to photography vs. PS. Digital manipulation such as photoshop, etc., make surrealism the norm. Many folks, such as myself, don't have the studio equipment, etc. to construct elaborate lighting setups, subject layouts, and such. We work with what we got. I can't even afford a SLR. This whole contest is turning out to be more SURREAL, then the entries thus far. Dali would of been proud of us. I can see him now with his melted watch twisting his handlebar mustache peering into his Freudian interpretation of this nightmare. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
MnMCarta: Not all contests will have every member able to enter. Sometimes there are rules that make it impossible for some such as snow for myself. I cant enter those because it doesnt snow here. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
meatman: True. But even those that probably have the equipment appear that they are having a Freudian moment with this contest. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
kyricom: I agree that not everyone can enter every theme. MnMCarta can't enter snow themes, I have a hard time with grafitti or urban themes because we live in a village of 2,000 out in the middle of nowhere. There's something like that for most of us. I think the "equipment" issue is a little misleading. Yes, if someone happens to have a fully stocked studio (I wish I did) it would be much easier, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Equipment between members would be an issue on every theme. If we're taking pictures of birds, someone with a point and shoot would be at a disadvantage to someone with 1000mm professional glass. But, I've always found that those members without big bank accounts can make up for a lot (and pass everyone) with ingenuity and creativity. ( 5 years and 2809 days ago )
captgeo: Bravo... well said Kyricom!!!!!! ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
meatman: that being said, the equipment is more or less a moot point in this contest at the present time. Because I know that most likely some of the entries had access to the fine equipment, but still failed to pass the sniff test for being a "surreal" entry. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
Wayne Cheah: So we are back to having / giving the "idea" of surrealism in the image rather than "showing / creating" surrealistic images. Perhaps the problem we are all having is due to a confusion between "surreal" and "surrealism"? ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
Wayne Cheah: And may I add that the reference photo for this contest (little girl and bear) may be surreal but not a surrealism as such. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
meatman: Sometimes, when I am in the throes of a subliminal, surrealistic train of thought, I wonder if I am in the midst of philosophers and analytical scientists, instead of visual artists. . ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
kyricom: If I photograph someone being athletic, I am photographing athleticism. If I photograph someone being patriotic, I am photographing patriotism. And... if you photograph something surreal, you can photograph surrealism. I'm not sure I'm seeing what the problem is here. It is not difficult at all to find definitions of surrealism. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
meatman: Me thinks I have now entered the surrealistic zone. Yes, indeedy!! Beam me down, Scotty. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
nem: Not going too deep into media theory, it seems this contest has two totally different targets: photographing the impossible, or making something look impossible and surreal. Because of this I think "surreal captures" should be best described by Webster's:
So here you go… One doesn't need to know about the 1930s surrealistic movement to take "surreal" pics in the 21st century ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
kyricom: Yes, nem. Dreamlike, phantasmagorical are good descriptors. Think the ID, or subconscious mind ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
Wayne Cheah: Hi nem. There are 10 words in that definition. Can we chose just one or must the image represent all the concepts those words represent?...because each and every word has its own varied sub-definition(s) too. Let's take the first two words, "unreal" & "bizarre" What is unreal may not necessarily be bizarre, or must the image be both unreal and bizarre? When you have a contest on a multi-definitional theme like this, you have to expect multi-definitional entries. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
meatman: This ongoing post is seeming more and more "bizarre,weird and strange". How about this: If the moderator does not remove your entry just use your vote to reflect your own opinion as to whether it meets the criteria of surrealism. ( 5 years and 2808 days ago )
lincemiope: we are voting, there are good pictures, but without SBS, was not required to submit one? ( 5 years and 2803 days ago )
Howdie stranger! If you want to participate in this contest, just:
Looks great to me. Saw the SBS too. Not that I know much about photography -very little, if anything at all- but IMHO, this image is a bright example of what makes a good photographer
Isn't it nice to see an SBS in photography then? See a wonderfully executed shot and perhaps try it yourself sometime. To lean from other that have a few years of experience behind them...
That's the spirit, good author. It sure catches the eye
author says:
I have a question. I have a version of this where the crack/line in the skull is gone from using the healing brush in Photoshop, but I noticed the rules said healing was allowed to get rid of specks etc. Would my "healed" version be allowed, or is that too much Photoshop?
Moderator says:
If you mean the long line across the forehead of the skull, then yes, that would be too much Photoshop
author says:
OK. Thanks. That's what I kind of suspected, which is why I went with this one.
I am just curious. The image may be considered "surreal" but what exactly is the "surreal" message / theme you are conveying in this image?
author says:
The theme doesn't say anything about conveying a message. You said yourself that the image may be considered surreal. A surrealistic image from me wouldn't convey a message to you (or anyone) as it would be my subconscious speaking to me, and even then, because it would be subconscious, even I might not understand what the "message" was. Surrealism was concerned with images, not messages.
Thanks author. As I said, I was just curious to know whether there was any message conveyed. There probably was, but you may perhaps not be consciously aware of it as the human mind, like nature, does nothing in vain. But then again we can also say that the items chosen were those which you randomly happened to have around at that time. So your contrived Surrealism is also a function of your limited material reality
"Surrealism was concerned with images, not messages" .... totally agree
"There probably was, but you may perhaps not be consciously aware of it " totally agree
Howdie stranger! If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
Great capture!
Great job!!
Good example of the theme
You need to explain in the SBS how you made this shot.
Done, Sorry, I never read to the end.
Looks great to me. Saw the SBS too. Not that I know much about photography -very little, if anything at all- but IMHO, this image is a bright example of what makes a good photographer
Isn't it nice to see an SBS in photography then? See a wonderfully executed shot and perhaps try it yourself sometime. To lean from other that have a few years of experience behind them...
Author, wonderful shot...great entry, good luck.
I get it now !! Ya was hanging by your feet from a multi- faceted mirrored ceiling and then proceeded to get YOUR SURREAL ON !! great photo, author.
This is a cool shot... but how did you get rid of the feet and legs?
My bum is big enough to hide them, LOL
That's the one, so cool, and trippy =)
Awesome picture. Perfect for the theme.
I've seen this before, I don't know where it is, but one of my friends had a similar photo to this as their profile pic on facebook!
I assume you have seen one like it, unlikely she had a photo of me.
You have no idea how much i love this shot! I can totally see this in a mag and completely publicized and stuff! Congrats my good friend
Thank you so much
Howdie stranger!
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