wwp@yahoogroups.com:
Re: Themes - was Sustenance - on line.
bruce_hemming 2007-Oct-09 09:56:00
--- In #removed#, Landis <landis@...> wrote:
>
> >An excellent collection of images.
> >
> >Although I did do a shoot I didn't contribute this time around. I
> >have to admit that it was largely because the theme became so open
> >that it seemed essentially intangible. To stretch the point, you
> >could say that it didn't 'sustain' my interest. When a word can be
> >interpreted in so many disparate ways it can lose its strength, and
> >things based on it can lose some or even all sense of being part of
> >the same event.
> >
> >Conversely, having a strong yet not too proscriptive word can lead to
> >a theme that is gently tangible throughout the range of entries, no
> >matter how diverse their subjects or treatment.
>
>
>
> Wow - too open, too closed. Can't win 'em all. :)
>
> I agree that I generally prefer the more narrow themes. That way
> creatively 'breaking the rules' is more fun and challenging (my
> thoughts exactly Bernhard). Themes like 'World Heritage' seemed a
> bit too narrow for many of our participants. 'Sustenance' can be
> interpreted fairly broadly but apparently has translations that are
> more narrow. 'Water' was fairly basic and allowed people quite a bit
> of creativity - was this too open?
>
> We have need for themes that are open to subjects around the world,
> experiencing different types of weather, open to different skill
> sets. For example, not everyone will find a crowd scene as fun to
> photograph or have access to a lush waterfall.
>
> If you have suggestions for future themes, please look through and
> add to our database:
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/wwp/database?method=reportRows&tb...
>
> Our next themed event will be in March and we've yet to decide on the
> perfect theme that will keep everyone spinning...
>
> -Landis
>
I appreciate the debate and understand the dilemma of both organizer and contributor - I
went for a fairly obvious interpretation this time ( just showing off really) but do like a
challenge. I've just added the following to the themes list -
Death - If you think that is too morbid/tasteless/depressing please read on - the way that
we as human beings pass from this world into - whatever - says a great deal about our
society, beliefs and customs. As a world wide group we are well placed to observe the
different methods by which a life is ended and commemorated in different parts of the
world. We can also observe custom and tradition surrounding our dear departed. This
could be a theme of real sociological interest - you could encompass all kinds of funerary
ceremonies, ancestor worship, the Day of the Dead and many other possibilities. Of
course there are issues of sensitivity but that is for each individual to come to terms with
and handle in an appropriate manner.
I would add to that and say that you could record historical sites/ shrines and monuments
as well. I think that it would be visually rewarding and intellectually challenging for those
who want to come over all metaphysical!
Best
Bruce