I'm going to bookmark your link, logical - I only recently checked back to see how this thread was doing and I've run out of time. I'll get to it in the early a.m.
Thanks for posting it.
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Cameras can be such bastards when it comes to lighting. I mean, it looks like plenty of light to the eye, but Mr. Stupid DSLR needs lots of light like the freaking prima dona camera it is or you have to use a slower shutter speed and everything gets blurry because the damn cat you're trying to take a picture of won't sit still (thanks, cat!) and the flash looks like crap because it washes out the natural color... excuse me. |
I agree. I'm into photography as well (my wife got me interested in it), but I just started doing it a few months ago and just got a decent camera.
Before I did any photography, I was of the opinion that it was a relevatively easy art. No effort, just point and click stuff...
Boy was I wrong about that. There's a lot more to setting up a good shot and making it work than just pointing the camera. Lighting, for one, is something very important that painters have unlimited control over, but photographers do not.
Cameras can be such bastards when it comes to lighting. I mean, it looks like plenty of light to the eye, but Mr. Stupid DSLR needs lots of light like the freaking prima dona camera it is or you have to use a slower shutter speed and everything gets blurry because the damn cat you're trying to take a picture of won't sit still (thanks, cat!) and the flash looks like crap because it washes out the natural color... excuse me.
In the end, you're right: is it appealing? If so, who cares how you got there? Most of the people moaning about how x takes no skill haven't ever done x in their lives, and have no idea how difficult it really can be to make it work. I've heard the same kind of arguments talking about using rendering software, but making really good stuff with rendering software takes a lot of patience, hard work, and practice... just like everything else.
Sorry logical, I just realized that I can't open the file (believe it or not, I don't have PowerPoint). Is there another format you could link to? I'm really interested to see what you've posted.
Thanks for going through all the trouble, logical muse. I'm using a Mac G5 so the html was helpful, thanks.
Having said that, I'm impressed with "Aaron's" work. I'm assuming it must be a software program (I suspected this early on). That doesn't take a thing away from Aaron's art. I'm going to have to rethink anything I've said or thought about computer-generated art as I find the work aesthetically pleasing.
I especially loved the quote regarding Aaron's creation. I've often thought that most art critics are too full of themselves. Of course I would have to take into consideration the tendency of human viewers of Aaron's art to interject their own feelings and emotions into the art, but I think that you've given us a perfect example of how "non-human" art can definitely have an artistic impact.
I'm not sure of how Aaron works, whether the software is given parameters outlining what types of figures are to be drawn or how much input is required regarding the composition, but the work is definitely impressive. I know one thing for sure, I've NEVER sold a painting for $25,000 - maybe I should invite Aaron over for a glass of wine and a few lesson.
Thanks for that presentation - it was definitely worthwhile and I hope everyone reading this thread takes a close look. Any other info/input you have would be appreciated.
I have a younger sister who is studying animation in Florida and she's frequently involved in debates regarding "cyber-art." I'm going to send her your links as I'm sure she'll be facinated with Aaron's work.
Just remember to save ALL your photos, then go back to look at your earliest ones. I'm sure you'll definitely see an improvement as you gain experience.
I once belonged to an airbrush forum and the "old vets" got a big kick out of this young gun who had talked him mom into buying him a gold commemorative airbrush that Badger was releasing saying his work would then be "kick ass." He didn't take it well when we told him to save his money, buy a cheaper airbrush and learn how to use it well as paint flows out of the moderately-priced airbrush the same way as it does out of a gold-plated airbrush with your initials engraved in it.
As with many artists/photographers, what they can't do with skill they make up with talk and show.
(edited to add) The proof is in the pudding . . . in other words what you're putting on the canvas.
Ha! That's good, that story.
Plus, with cameras, a lot of the higher end equipment is useless to the beginner, because they aren't doing things that require pushing-the-envelope performance. What the hell am I going to do with a telescopic lens that costs three grand? Nothing, that's what! Maybe when I learn how to take better nature shots and am shooting pictures of animals that can and will kill me up close (as opposed to my current animal subjects: robins and squirrels, who only look at me dirty and hop a few steps in the other direction), then it will be a worthwhile investment.
It's even funnier when it's something that will never help anyone do a better job, like with your airbrush example. Maybe I could take better photos with a gold-plated camera. Gets rid of the magnetism and all that.
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I was perusing the forums, looking for computer artists and Photoshop users, when I came across this thread. I noticed a link to an Aaron screensaver, but I thought I'd throw in an "artistic" type screensaver I recently ran across back in the fall of last year.
I don't have access yet to post a link, but Google "electric sheep screensaver". Should come up as electricsheep.org
The beauty of this screensaver is you get to vote on your favorite "sheep" algorhythm that come up on your screen. Sheep that get the most votes get their bit of code passed on to the other computer connected to the internet. The other computers incorporate that code into the screensaver and expand on that particular theme. Votes are then processed again and sent on as fast as the computers and pipes will allow.
I've had it running for several months now and I can only count one time where a sheep repeated itself. It's even inspired a few of my pieces I've done for school.
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David O. Little
-=The DoLittle
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