Distasteful or art? (Warning - graphic photo)

[Siejones]

Look out something fluffy....for the masses!

[Iguanasan]

Different points of view make the world go 'round. This is not one that I enjoy but there are people who do. While I don't find it distasteful or offensive, per se, I don't really see the point either. I guess I'm somewhat ambivalent as long as you found the dead body in nature. If you killed the rabbit just to take this shot (which I'm sure you didn't) then I would be quite offended.

[Mad Aussie]

In my opinion I think for shots of something morbid like this you need to be far more creative, otherwise it's just a snapshot of fur and bones and doesn't have any engaging point to it's being.

[AcadieLibre]

I think anything that represents death is not always morbid, just depends on the reason of the photograph. The photograph used here is neither morbid or well done. Nothing morbid about photographing death and some people may see it as an art form. I think historical and photojournalistic photos of death, mayhem and destruction are invaluable and are needed. To use death as a form of art, if you want to do it make sure it has some artistic merit not just limbs tossed on grass. This should have been in the critique section as you are asking for opinions on your photo.

I am not sure the point of the photo, the angle, placement, colours are not working in anyway and doesn't say anything, until you mentioned death it would not have crossed my mind looks more like an amputation photo than that of death. I also think you should put a warning when doing these shots, like I do when I post photos that others might find objectionable, I would prefer not to but this board caters to all age groups and people who are maybe not comfortable with this type of photo, I do it as courtesy and would suggest in the future you might do the same.

[Siejones]

Wow so many people offended it seems.

Not very creative (how creative can you get with such subject matter without being disrespectful?), Not well done? Almost attacks and you say your not offended?

Would you say the same of this

http://www.cartermuseum.org/collecti...&mcat=2&scat=6

or this?

http://www.cartermuseum.org/collecti...&mcat=2&scat=8

The compostion and colour worked for me or I would not have posted it. The word "distasteful" if the title was enough to warn people of the contents don't you think?

If it's that bad for you all I will remove the post.

[Mad Aussie]

I certainly wasn't offended by the image at all.

You shouldn't be offended by peoples comments either SJ ... you asked for opinions and you got them. If we simply told you what you wanted to hear rather than the truth then you might as well go into your bathroom and talk to yourself in the mirror.

I think the point myself and AL were making (he'll correct if I'm wrong) is that 'we feel' (our opinions not necessarily the only viewpoints in the world) is that if you are going to shoot graphic subjects then there needs to be more structure and creative work happening. There needs to be a reason to shoot it at all.

I've liked several of your photos beforehand, but not this one, and there will be others I will not like either. And if you ask me to comment on those ones I will again tell you I don't like them. Just as others do for me. I learn that way. I learn that not everything I think looks good, looks good to others. I learn different ways to do things. I learn more about other peoples perspectives and how I can appeal to them. You could do the same mate.

[Marko]

I am not offended in any way by this BUT just as a courtesy, for sensitive people (a group which I include myself in) the wording 'graphic image' is best included in the thread title. (I'm taking the liberty here and will add it)

The shock value of the photo imo is the most salient aspect.

It's not in the critique section so I won't critique it.

Thx - Marko

[Siejones]

I certainly wasn't offended by the image at all.

You shouldn't be offended by peoples comments either SJ ... you asked for opinions and you got them. If we simply told you what you wanted to hear rather than the truth then you might as well go into your bathroom and talk to yourself in the mirror.

I think the point myself and AL were making (he'll correct if I'm wrong) is that 'we feel' (our opinions not necessarily the only viewpoints in the world) is that if you are going to shoot graphic subjects then there needs to be more structure and creative work happening. There needs to be a reason to shoot it at all.

I've liked several of your photos beforehand, but not this one, and there will be others I will not like either. And if you ask me to comment on those ones I will again tell you I don't like them. Just as others do for me. I learn that way. I learn that not everything I think looks good, looks good to others. I learn different ways to do things. I learn more about other peoples perspectives and how I can appeal to them. You could do the same mate.

I understand how critique works and have taken much and will no doubt do so in the future but the replys seemed a bit of blatent rubbishing. I wonder if they would have been so harsh with a less graphic subject?

When giving critique some important few words are "in my opinion". If your going to give a point of view you must inform everyone that you don't blatently think you are right and there is no alternative. Photography is as subjective and music, movies and just about any other artform and you must be careful you are not seeming to dictate your point of view.

We can all learn from critique but you must remember that the poster is the artist and when posting he/she has posted the image they wanted to show. The colours, PP, composition were all chosen by them because thats what they chose by artistic preference. You must remember this when giving good critique.

[Siejones]

I am not offended in any way by this BUT just as a courtesy, for sensitive people (a group which I include myself in) the wording 'graphic image' is best included in the thread title. (I'm taking the liberty here and will add it)

The shock value of the photo imo is the most salient aspect.

It's not in the critique section so I won't critique it.

Thx - Marko

I really didn't think this could potentialy be that offensive. If I had I would not have posted it.

I am beginning to think it was a mistake to do so.

[Mad Aussie]

When giving critique some important few words are "in my opinion". If your going to give a point of view you must inform everyone that you don't blatently think you are right and there is no alternative. Photography is as subjective and music, movies and just about any other artform and you must be careful you are not seeming to dictate your point of view.

We can all learn from critique but you must remember that the poster is the artist and when posting he/she has posted the image they wanted to show. The colours, PP, composition were all chosen by them because thats what they chose by artistic preference. You must remember this when giving good critique.

You asked what WE think. Not whether we care what you think. You got exactly what you asked for. The truth as we saw it. There is no right or wrong here ... just different tastes of your image.

AND, if you re-read my first comment which you can see is NOT edited in any way ... my first words were ... "In my opinion "

My opinion NOW ... is that you were too easily offended and have gone onto the defensive after hearing things you didn't want to hear.

Here's a tip ... if you can't handle what others think (which is only their subjective opinion anyhow) ... don't ask for their opinions.


I looked at those examples you put up ... dead gull , dead horse. Both black and white to convey the death more creatively and both taken from a more creative angle. Again, just my opinion ... but again ... you asked!