wow, looks surreal!

Sometimes I think you think too much.

nogger: yes, sometimes I think I think too much too ;-)

Isn't the whole point of photography (or any art form in general) the search for the quintessential shot/piece/work? To end all others?

Of course, you'll never find it, because then you'd stop.

Which would, frankly, stink.

God.... Imagine if someone DID take the shot to end all shots. Everyone would have to stop taking photos. Every time you tried to sell a shot to a magazine the picture editor would be like "yeah, it's ok... But there's no point us using it because whats-his-face over there has taken the shot to end all shots so we'll just print that one instead of your one. Thanks anyway. Bye."

Jamey, what world are you living in? A shot to end all shots. Interpretation is the key but it doesn't mean it all ends in ascent. How juvenile is that summary? Credit is conveyed when due, not every iage is necessarily a masterpiece.

This image, I enjoy the light. Part of me considers, no beach, no sea, what images would we see from chromasia? I grew up by the sea, I'm pretty indifferent to it, but still, I wonder, what else would djn1 concentrate on otherwise...

The seeming lego blocks, top right annoy somewhat...

Let me start by saying great image! I have been watching chromasia for awhile now and love your work.

Your 'what should I post' quandry is an interesting one from my perspective. Here I am, aviation photography enthusiast turned artistic photoblogger and I am reading that the 'chromasia guy' is having trouble deciding/finding what to post. It makes me nervous and exhilarated at the same time. Aviation photography lacks a lot of creativity in that there will always be a subject: the plane. Photographing for art is much more difficult, the CCD is essentially a blank canvas waiting for photographer/artist to fill it, rather daunting at times!

I guess what I am getting to is that there are quite a few photoblogs out there (to say the least!) and chromasia is cream of the crop. So when you post an image are the standards you aspire to your own or to those of being a top rated blog? I realize there is a some gray area there, but I could just imagine the performance pressure must get into your head.

Thanks for the images and inspiration!

Now this is what im talking about. This is a great shot. I love the monochrome and the lighting is perfect. The buildings in the upper right really give character to this shot, yet the ocean jumps directly out at you as the main subject because you've placed the horizon so close to the top of the photo.

The ocean is very boring to me unless the waves are large or the color is incredible...you've taken a dull scenic view and turned it into something fantastic with the way you've captured and processed it.

Nice shot Dj.

The little pixel lights make this one for me. A small blot of human imperfection.

great depth - being B&W really makes you concentrate on the light hitting the waves - and I agree with David - the pixel buildings add that little bit of intrigue... something off on the horizon - not identifiable, just out of reach. Each person puts a different value on the photo depending on what perspective they have, but this one made me stop and comment - so congrats!

This is a great shot. It looks a lot better in black or dark theme. I the motion, especially at the right side, is fantastic. I don't know if it is that shot to end all shots, so please keep trying for it as well as that seagull shot to end all seagull shots.

Man, that's one heck of an oil spill.

It's a photo I'd have on my living room wall too.

(I like oil spills.)

i love it.

another 'special' shot.

surely your imperfections show that you are the best?

The viewer's interpretation will give this photo meaning. For me, its a great way to end the day, sitting on the beach with white wine.

Have a look at Thomas Joshua Cooper' series of monochrome seascapes. He clearly sees the same range of landscapes in the sea as we conventionally do on land - so although you may feel the urge to epitomize it, there are probably endless possible permutations of the perfect sea shot.

Dave, if you have the original pic, can u please please post it, i just want to see the difference.

Hello Dave and his Loyal Viewership.

I have been visiting this blog for the better part of 2 years. I’ve read the majority of comments but haven’t felt compelled to participate because for the most part I haven’t felt that I’ve had anything of value add to what had already been expressed… but today I would like to give my two cents to some of the ongoing debates.

With regard to the photographs that Dave chooses to post, I think it is important to note that a commonality that they share is that they are deliberate and meet Dave’s intended purpose. I don’t think he wants us to “excuse” the past few shots by attributing them to his busy life or sicknesses, etc. (those circumstances might better be used to explain those rare times he has been unable to shoot new material or meet his high personal standard of posting a photo every single day).

I think we should recognize that it is not his aim to make every shot a profoundly innovative masterpiece. Sometimes he wants to document a scene. Other times, he is experimenting with something new (which is important because without trying something new every once in a while, it is difficult to grow). And then oftentimes, he is photographing in an innovative way or from an original perspective, delivering a powerful message, and/or raising questions. But in a very real sense, every shot (regardless of our varied and often conflicting opinions) is a successful product because he has sought and most often achieved his goal for that particular shot. And besides, the journey is half the magic.

Moreover, I commend Dave for documenting the process and for sharing it with us. Personally, I strongly prefer this to if he were to choose to post only those “portfolio-worthy” shots that viewers simply “ooh and ahh” (or moo and baa ;P, if that be the case) and otherwise cannot find fault. That said, I recognize that this is my opinion and I’m sure many will disagree, but that’s okay. Still, when all is said and done, this is Dave’s blog, and he has every right to use it the way he wants. Yes, it is a blog that was featured in Time magazine and that has a vast audience, but no one is being forced to visit it and Dave has shown that he is more than open-minded and welcomes all comments, both good and bad. I think most of us come back because we can’t help but see Dave’s immense talent, and we love the excitement we experience each day as we wait to see the photo that awaits us next.

Anyway, for that, thank you Dave…. and I apologize for my lengthy ramblings! (…and if I’ve got it all wrong and misrepresented what you’re about, feel free to set me straight!)

Dave

Having discussed issues like this before I think that you have finally put forwars one of your most valuable descriptions of a photograph yet.

It is impossible to take a photograph of a scene like this and capture the worlds best sea photograph. What you can achieve though is a stunning picture that as you quite rightly state shows movement, space, pattern, etc. And what's more this scene can never ever be reconstructed and as such that is one of the sheer wonders of capturing an image in the first place.

I personally have always believed that photobloggers (I hate that word, so why did I use it) are too preconceived with looking for clever shots that hopefully bring about the 'wow' well spotted type of response.

This kind of attitude is exactly the reason why the higher echelons of photography dismiss photoblogs as trite and without any substance.

I have exactly the same problem as djn in that I know that I have some strong shots but I can't simply produce them every day. However I do want to continue posting because in years to come I want to have fond memorys of my past and have visul clues that can help point to certain events.

What we all need to do is start considering the wider implications of photography and not focus too much on the aesthetic merit of every individual picture.

Lex made some good comments about this yesterday although I think he was quite wrong to suggest that most photobloggers are deluding themselves, which I took to mean that in effect most of us are rubbish and have nothing of real value to say.

I would like to respond to that and say that there are also lots of so called 'pro' photographers out there who are deluding themselves as well. I won't mention any names but I know of several pro photographers who would pale into insignificamce in comparison to most photobloggers I have seen.

The problem at the moment for serious photobloggers who have aspirations, is that the pro circuit does not recognise the significance of the internet as a means of displaying work. To be critically peer reviewed and credited you have to be displaying work in gallerys so that people who know or think they know about photography can keep a tight lid on who becomes 'well known'and released into the market.

I personally believe that photobloggers (sorry, photographers who display their work electronically) should be afforded more credit than they deserve.

Sure, not all of us are world class (but who defines world class anyway) and most of us will never rise to greatness (It takes more than talent, believe me) however we are making a valuable contribution to society by providing a global visual documentary on the scale that has probably never been possible before.

So in finishing off I would like to return to the first paragraph. We or should say that I at least don't take any photographs purely on the basis of creating a pretty picture.

At the front of my mind is usually the fact that I am capturing form as it exists at that time. I admit that even when I do snap a shot that has simply captured my eye it later transpires that the reason behind taking that shot becomes apparaent in that shape, pattern, texture, line, unity, contrast, proportion, are always evident to a greater or lesser extent.

It is okay to analyse photographs in retrospect because it helps in the identification of later opportunities. We may get bored of looking at shots of leaves, but in reality each one is as unique as an individual.

Oh, and people have made a living out of shooting leaves, door knockers, letterboxes, flaky paint on wood etc. Some have even become world renowned for it.

Note: spelling and grammar may be poor - it is early and coffee has not kicked in.

Great shot by the way Dave. It has inspired me to post a photo depicting form tonight.

Love the format of the shot and I'm sure it would only work in b&w.

Dave - you definitely think too much, just make sure you enjoy taking photographs, that does it for me!

This shot is beautiful. That's all that matters to me. It portrays the feeling of being there.

I like this one, and the constructions in the top right corner add to the image.

Another great shot.
I've barely commented here even though I've been coming for a long time, but I love this site and Dave's talent and willingness to share details over his work where others keep schtum.
I would like to finish off with something cheesy like, "you rock, Dave!"

I'm with you Kim - B*gg*r all the heavy stuff! Oink!

Tobias - I think Jamey was engaging in some gentle, whimsical, slightly ironic, humour.

I guess it's a sign of success when people start judging your work against the heights you've reached previously. It's also a good sign that people like the body of work so much that they take the time to comment on the shots they don't appreciate quite as much. Most photobloggers, myself included, are left with the ignominy of "Comments (0)" to tell us that we really should do better next time.

This is a strong shot. Dark, textural and loaded with atmosphere. The structures on the distant shore provide a sense of depth.

I think that it's important that a photoblogger tries new things - takes some 'risks'. Not just for the benefit of their own development, but also for the audience. As a photoblog visitor, I get a little bored if I'm presented with exactly the same formula over a long period. A key strength of Chromasia is that Dave is confident enough to post shots that may be a little 'different', and to have this open debate. I'm not sure the same could be said for all photobloggers.

It all gets a bit "deep and meaningful" here sometimes doesn't it ?

I quite like the pic. Not the best ever, not the worst. But still good and worth stopping by to look at. Does it need to be any more complicated than that ?

No offence but i think you should try get away from the beach sometimes. It just seems too cluttered with "sand".

There indeed are quite a few shots of beach and sea but I still like this one. In black and white it is having a completely different meaning to it.

This is a great shot, something I would most definately hang in my home! The water looks so peaceful and calm but you can just see it moving with how you have capture this!

Simon C. Yes. I agree, having read most of the posts I now see where Jamey was coming from, sorry about that Jamey.

It seems like fuel.

Simply a great shot, Dave. I like the wide format and the beautiful tones of the B&W.

Thanks everyone.

Dave: there used to be some performance pressure, but I guess I just don't worry about it any more. It's not that I don't wonder about what people might think, more that I've reconciled myself to the fact that I can't post something brilliant every day. As for the standard I aim for: I guess I set that myself.

blake: :-)

Adrian: thanks, I'll check him out.

maria: ok, when I've got a bit of time I'll put it up.

Rebecca: thanks, that's a good summary of how I see things.

John: thanks.

Ben: you're right, I do think too much, but, as far as photography goes, if I don't think, I don't progress.

I love it...and if you dont really think about what it is, you can picture it being different things like sand. Or just a bunch of mud. I really like the contrast, and just keep doing what you love :)

I think this would've made a great silver print.

我很喜欢这副摄影图片！
如此开阔却又让人有一种不安的感觉～