Art [OBGT] Elimination Round

[Dagger]

[CENTER][I][B]Round 3: Elimination[/B]
[/I][/CENTER]

[B]Participants:[/B] Princess Ai (formerly "Butterfly"), Doc, Kitty, Retribution and Baron Samedi

[B]Date Due:[/B] Tuesday, November 1

[B]Dimensions:[/B] 1000 x 700

[B]Theme:[/B] Water

[B]The Usual Spiel:[/B] Once all participants have posted their submissions (fulfilling the mentioned criteria), other members will vote. We permit those who are participating in the tournament to vote as well. There will be no poll option ? you will be required to post a paragraph at least four sentences in length, explaining why you voted the way you did. If you fail to type a complete paragraph, your vote will not be counted, and you will receive a PM saying so. I will count & tally votes.

Additionally, I've added an updated bracket image (courtesy of SaiyanPrincessX) to my original post in the OBGT general thread. The first bracket is still included, albeit as an attachment. Please post all questions to that thread (rather than this one).

Members, please wait until all five participants have posted before attempting to vote. Due to the nature of this round, you will be voting [i]against[/i] someone rather than [i]for[/i] someone--to wit, please make sure you're indicating which submission you feel is the weakest. However, because this is a somewhat more negative approach, it's especially important to be as polite and respectful as possible. Thanks for taking that into consideration.

And with that said, good luck!

~Dagger~

[Retribution]

[size=1]Yeah, I'm gonna post this to get this over with. I have a long, busy weekend, and I doubt I'll have time to do this later.

[b]Purity[/b]
[URL=http://img472.imageshack.us/my.php?image=waterobgt9zo.jpg][IMG]http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/306/waterobgt9zo.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The stock is the only thing I'm going to credit, as fonts are freeware thingymabobums. The image is done by [url=http://www.deviantart.com/view/20935572/][b]*w3sr[/b][/url] of deviantART.

As for the text, I realize it might be hard to see on some monitors, but rest assured, it's just your monitor. If you can't see it correctly, it's mostly blue, and the water is a deeper tone, whereas the typography is white. For reference, the quote used is from Bruce Lee.

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."

Good luck to everyone else.[/size]

[Baron Samedi]

[SIZE=1][CENTER][URL=http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aquafinal3tv.jpg][IMG]http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2479/aquafinal3tv.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[B]
Rumblings Of The Sea Beast In His Underwater Lair[/B]



As overheard in a discussion with myself.[/CENTER][/SIZE]

[Doc]

[center][URL=http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=obgtroundthreeentry0038bt.jpg][IMG]http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/8865/obgtroundthreeentry0038bt.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[/center]

[Kitty]

[CENTER][URL=http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=obgtentry35nx.gif][IMG]http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/7561/obgtentry35nx.th.gif[/IMG][/URL]

[size=1][color=#006aaf]I'm so dead. xD[/color][/size][/CENTER]

[Persona]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I was about to drop out of the race..since I had no access to my home computer which had my program. But I didn't want to for there may be a chance I would make and....and yay I can make it...<.<..I hate being last[/COLOR]

[John]

Truth be told, I wasn't too keen on any of the submissions this time (is that an Alka Seltzer in Retribution's piece? XP). I'm not a big fan of water anyway, though, so that's probably a large factor. But anyway, I'd have to say the one I prefer the least is Kitty's, simply because of the stock photo she used. I don't know what that's originally from, but I've seen it [i]everywhere[/i] before (those inspirational posters, maybe?), so the piece didn't really grab me as much as the ones with photos that I hadn't seen before.

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Over all I think everyone did a good job on his or her submission. The one I care for the least would be the one by Kitty. It?s well done, but like Who? Said the image used is something I?ve seen quite a bit so it just didn?t catch my attention. Also, the words seem to be on the blurry side, at least on my monitor, and I?m not talking about the reflection of the words. Anyway, as a result the f and l of reflection seem to be running together a bit when I look at it.

[B]EDIT:[/B] 11-7-05 Please don't take it personal. :animeswea I was voting based on my initial reaction when I viewed the pictures. As all of them are beautiful I chose the one that didn't immediately catch my attention. Truthfully there are things about each picture I find off. So no offense meant okay? ^_^ Besides, my talents at creating such pictures is limited, but doesn't that make my input valuable in the sense that the regular public is not familiar with how a picture is created? It's one thing to analyize a picture when you understand what they did to create it. But for someone like me who doesn't know unless told, well I chose based on what I do know. Even if it isn't a lot.
[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen][B]EDIT:[/B] 11-12-04 Katana I guess I should try to explain my choice a little better. It?s more than a I don?t like the picture cause I?ve seen it a lot vote. It was part of why it didn?t grab my attention, but it?s more than that. I?m not sure how to explain it but it?s also because of the words that go with the picture. It just doesn?t seem to flow in the sense that the water is in motion and yet it?s stating show me my own reflection. To me moving water doesn?t show you your reflection so the picture didn?t seem to fit the saying. So it?s a combination of the image didn?t grab my attention and I don?t think it fits the saying. Even though it?s beautifully done.

I can see where Aaryanna was going with her disagreeing as people were asking for a counter-vote without saying why they felt one was needed. No one before you mentioned that they felt I needed to explain in further detail as to why I voted the way I did. It did kind of look like what she was complaining about. So hopefully the more in depth explanation clears that up for you and the others.
[/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=Indigo]Nicely done everyone, it will be hard to decide which one I like the least. After careful consideration I have decided that the one I like the least is the one by Retribution. It?s beautifully done, but I have to practically squint in order to read the words on it. I know you say it?s just my monitor, but I?ve tried looking at it at school, on my friends computer, as well as my own. I?ve even tried different settings from 800 x 600 all the way up to 1400 x 1050. And I still have the same problem being able to read what is said. Regardless of whether or not I?m using an older or newer monitor. So I really don?t think it?s a monitor issue but rather one of the font is too small. At least in my opinion that is. Till later.

indifference[/COLOR]

[Delta]

[COLOR=#003300][SIZE=1]^ Guess it's time for us to take Vitamin A supplements, yeah? ;P

[COLOR=#88AA88](Dagger-san, may I cast a counter-vote? [b]Kitty-san[/b] may have used a familiar raw I've always felt that good raws make lovely pieces, yeah? Her/His choice of stock photo alone merits a counter-vote. She must also be commended on the way she/he positioned the text, and while there were a lot of bright spots in the raw, she/he was able to draw some contrast between the background and the white font. Brilliant.)[/COLOR]

Although the choice of raw is a factor, how the artist arranges additional elements around it is foremost. [b]Doc-san[/b], though your entry goes with the theme, I feel that the blocks and waves of text you added look detached from the subject. What I mean is that I had to look for the text the first time I saw your entry. I feel that you could have added something to the text that'd draw my eyes towards it and away from that droplet. Sorry Chief, but you get my vote in this round.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Katana]

[QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#003300][SIZE=1]^ Guess it's time for us to take Vitamin A supplements, yeah? ;P

[COLOR=#88AA88](Dagger-san, may I cast a counter-vote? [b]Kitty-san[/b] may have used a familiar raw I've always felt that good raws make lovely pieces, yeah? [/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[size=1][color=royalblue]Double yes - vitamin A is good for you. And the counter-vote...I'm for that. [b]Kitty[/b], you did an excellent job with your graphic, so don't take the against-posts to heart. :P

*cough* Anyways...

It's actually a hard vote for me because of how all of these look to be merely stock photos with words slapped on. Don't rip out my pancreas if that's not the case, I'm just saying what they look like. = =;;

But overall, I'd have to say that [b]Gemini's[/b] piece doesn't quite strike my fancy. I applaude you on the fact that you went outside of the box, but if this is a good example of your work, I really wonder how you got this far. Obviously, it must not be, but...you've gotta put your all into every piece you make in a tournament like this.
The compression is pretty bad, because the image turned out scratchy, pixely, and washed out - a curse of the .jpg/.jpeg format when it's compressed too much. But what really disappoints me - and irritates myself - is how the water theme doesn't seem displayed. The swirl in the corner could be, but I would probably suggest the cosmos or something if it 'tweren't for the text.
Which leads me to the font. Ugh. That's hard to read. The font matches the quote, but you really need one that's easy to read.

And now I'm done. Good luck people![/color][/size]

[Baron Samedi]

[quote name='Katana][size=1][color=royalblue]It's actually a hard vote for me because of how all of these look to be merely stock photos with words slapped on. Don't rip out my pancreas if that's not the case, I'm just saying what they look like. = =;;[/color'][/size][/quote]
[size=1]*rip*

Mine isn't a stock image on it's own, lol. But thanks anyway :p[/size]

[r2vq]

The submissions are all very well done. It's very, very difficult to choose one to vote -against-.

I have to side with Katana and Delta. Kitty's piece is by far my favourite. I don't think it would be fair to cast a counter vote, considering the nature of the round, but I hope Kitty does not get eliminated in this round.

The picture I would have to say that I like the least, is interestingly enough the closest one in appearance to Kitty's piece. [b]Doc[/b]'s piece doesn't seem to sit well with me and I almost have to force the connection between the text and the photograph. Although the symbol of change seems to be portrayed well with the text, I don't feel serene or calm from the font-face or the photograph. Also the image and the words don't seem to fit together very well.

-ArV

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]Well first of all I think all the pictures are nicely done so it will be a difficult choice. ^_^[/B]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=2]What I don?t agree with is the idea of a counter-vote. What?s the point of having a contest like this if I vote and someone who doesn?t agree with me casts a counter-vote? It?s like letting them vote twice as they are saying your vote shouldn?t count and that their vote should. Personally I think it?s a bit rude to say other people?s vote shouldn?t count because you don?t agree. So in essence they are voting twice which isn?t fair in a contest like this. If a counter-vote is allowed then everyone should be allowed to do it as right now a counter-vote would basically be saying [B]Who?[/B] And [B]SunfallE[/B]?s vote don?t count anymore. And if it were allowed, [U]everyone[/U] would have to cast a counter-vote for it to be fair and valid in my opinion[/SIZE].[/FONT]

Now on to what I think. In advance, don?t take it personal okay? The one I like the least is [B]Gemini[/B]. The picture is very beautiful, I actually like the base picture better than the others, but I just don?t think it represents the concept of water as well as the others do. I also do not care for the choice of font used for the saying. The picture itself is beautiful but it doesn?t catch my attention as it really don?t make me think of water until I actually read the saying.[/COLOR]

[Katana]

[QUOTE=Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkOrange]
[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=2]What I don?t agree with is the idea of a counter-vote. What?s the point of having a contest like this if I vote and someone who doesn?t agree with me casts a counter-vote? It?s like letting them vote twice as they are saying your vote shouldn?t count and that their vote should. Personally I think it?s a bit rude to say other people?s vote shouldn?t count because you don?t agree. So in essence they are voting twice which isn?t fair in a contest like this. If a counter-vote is allowed then everyone should be allowed to do it as right now a counter-vote would basically be saying [B]Who?[/B] And [B]SunfallE[/B]?s vote don?t count anymore. And if it were allowed, [U]everyone[/U] would have to cast a counter-vote for it to be fair and valid in my opinion[/SIZE].[/FONT]
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[size=1][color=royalblue]I think I need to clear this up before we all get killed.

The reason Delta, I, and r2vq are hoping for a counter vote is because Who? and SunfallE's main reason for not liking Kitty's was because of her choice of photo. That's it. To us, it sounds like they didn't like the graphic merely because they have seen that image around so much, and because of that, Kitty does not deserve to advance.

[u]We mean no disrespect to those two[/u], and I apologize if that's what you think. However, when you don't like an image because you've seen the base photo before, that's just not right.
When you say "I've seen that picture everywhere, so I don't like the graphic", I really don't think that's right. Hell, I've seen that image from the end of FLCL with Naota standing atop the rubble with the guitar a thousand times, but do I hate a graphic because of that? No. Do you hate a website's banner because an image used is a fairly generic one of the series? You shouldn't. Do you avoid eBay auctions that use generic images of the product? Probably not.

I apoligize for clogging up the thread like this, but I felt the need to say the above before more misunderstandings take place.
To Who? and SunfallE, we really don't mean to degrade you, and if you had other reasons for not liking the graphic, then that's perfectly fine and legal, we can all go on our merry way. = =;;[/color][/size]

[Baron Samedi]

[QUOTE=Katana][size=1][color=royalblue]I think I need to clear this up before we all get killed.

The reason Delta, I, and r2vq are hoping for a counter vote is because Who? and SunfallE's main reason for not liking Kitty's was because of her choice of photo. That's it. To us, it sounds like they didn't like the graphic merely because they have seen that image around so much, and because of that, Kitty does not deserve to advance.

[u]We mean no disrespect to those two[/u], and I apologize if that's what you think. However, when you don't like an image because you've seen the base photo before, that's just not right.
When you say "I've seen that picture everywhere, so I don't like the graphic", I really don't think that's right. Hell, I've seen that image from the end of FLCL with Naota standing atop the rubble with the guitar a thousand times, but do I hate a graphic because of that? No. Do you hate a website's banner because an image used is a fairly generic one of the series? You shouldn't. Do you avoid eBay auctions that use generic images of the product? Probably not.

I apoligize for clogging up the thread like this, but I felt the need to say the above before more misunderstandings take place.
To Who? and SunfallE, we really don't mean to degrade you, and if you had other reasons for not liking the graphic, then that's perfectly fine and legal, we can all go on our merry way. = =;;[/color][/size][/QUOTE]
[size=1]Nonetheless, appropriate image choice is an essential part of the contest. It is completely justified for Who? and SunfallE to judge the image based upon the stock, no matter how unfair it may seem.[/size]

[Doc]

[size=1]Even though I personally love Kitty's piece, I agree with Baron. It is their right, and opinion, as to why her piece shouldn't advance. Given the chance, due to how amazing the rest of the competitors pieces have been, if Kitty is disqualified *Which truely seems unlikely* I would gladly bow out to her superior piece.

But, as I stated, I totally agree with the Baron, and they have all the right to vote against if they feel her piece isn't chosen well.
[/size]

[Horendithas]

[QUOTE=Katana][size=1][color=royalblue]I think I need to clear this up before we all get killed.

The reason Delta, I, and r2vq are hoping for a counter vote is because Who? and SunfallE's main reason for not liking Kitty's was because of her choice of photo. That's it. To us, it sounds like they didn't like the graphic merely because they have seen that image around so much, and because of that, Kitty does not deserve to advance.

[u]We mean no disrespect to those two[/u], and I apologize if that's what you think. However, when you don't like an image because you've seen the base photo before, that's just not right.
When you say "I've seen that picture everywhere, so I don't like the graphic", I really don't think that's right. Hell, I've seen that image from the end of FLCL with Naota standing atop the rubble with the guitar a thousand times, but do I hate a graphic because of that? No. Do you hate a website's banner because an image used is a fairly generic one of the series? You shouldn't. Do you avoid eBay auctions that use generic images of the product? Probably not.

I apoligize for clogging up the thread like this, but I felt the need to say the above before more misunderstandings take place.
To Who? and SunfallE, we really don't mean to degrade you, and if you had other reasons for not liking the graphic, then that's perfectly fine and legal, we can all go on our merry way. = =;;[/color][/size][/QUOTE]
[quote name='Baron Samedi][size=1']Nonetheless, appropriate image choice is an essential part of the contest. It is completely justified for Who? and SunfallE to judge the image based upon the stock, no matter how unfair it may seem.[/size][/quote]
[QUOTE=Doc][size=1]Even though I personally love Kitty's piece, I agree with Baron. It is their right, and opinion, as to why her piece shouldn't advance. Given the chance, due to how amazing the rest of the competitors pieces have been, if Kitty is disqualified *Which truely seems unlikely* I would gladly bow out to her superior piece.

But, as I stated, I totally agree with the Baron, and they have all the right to vote against if they feel her piece isn't chosen well.
[/size][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Indigo]Sorry Katana but I too agree with Baron Samedi, Doc, and Aaryanna. A member should be able to vote based on how they see the picture as a whole. Not on how you think they should be analyzing it. And the base photo is a big part of the overall picture. As both Who? and SunfallE were quite polite in explaining their choice, I think their votes should stay the way they are, as counter-voting would in my opinion undermine the very essence of this contest.

SunfallE must have wondered if her vote was going to be countered as she took the time to explain why she voted the way she did in further detail. Though I think it shouldn?t have been necessary in the first place.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=SunfallE]
[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen][B]EDIT:[/B] 11-12-04 Katana I guess I should try to explain my choice a little better. It?s more than a I don?t like the picture cause I?ve seen it a lot vote. It was part of why it didn?t grab my attention, but it?s more than that. I?m not sure how to explain it but it?s also because of the words that go with the picture. It just doesn?t seem to flow in the sense that the water is in motion and yet it?s stating show me my own reflection. To me moving water doesn?t show you your reflection so the picture didn?t seem to fit the saying. So it?s a combination of the image didn?t grab my attention and I don?t think it fits the saying. Even though it?s beautifully done.

I can see where Aaryanna was going with her disagreeing as people were asking for a counter-vote without saying why they felt one was needed. No one before you mentioned that they felt I needed to explain in further detail as to why I voted the way I did. It did kind of look like what she was complaining about. So hopefully the more in depth explanation clears that up for you and the others.
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[Retribution]

[size=1]The concept of a counter-vote is nonexistent in the OBGT. They mean nothing. In short, disregard those who have casted them, as they don't do anything.[/size]

[John]

The reason my vote centered around the stock image is because in this round, pretty much all the pieces have had two elements in them: the photo and the text. If I don't dig one of those elements--which means 50% of the piece--I think that's reason enough to vote against it, lol.

Furthermore, if I'm looking at the piece as a whole, and seeing something I've seen many times before, it likely won't incite a ton of interest in me, heh. I'm not saying the piece is a bad piece (Katana, I know you probably didn't mean as much, but I never said anything about hating anything. :P), I'm saying that my opinion of it has been carved from the circumstances of me having seen the photo a lot before. If I can cast my vote based on something [i]other[/i] than my personal opinion, drop me a line on that, lol.

[Doc]

[size=1][quote name='Dagger']We permit those who are participating in the tournament to vote as well.[/quote]
I believe I'll start this trend out...

I don't believe a point by point breakdown of likes and dislikes are needed for this round, for there are so many other competitors, it'd just make this post even more confusing. Each members piece was well done, and had a high measure of quality to it. Retri's and Baron's pieces were both unique in stock choice. My only complaint is the text on Retribution's image. No matter what color it is, the font choice and size make it unreadable. =P

Now... on to my [b]VOTE[/b].

After close analysis *On my own time.... not here* of each competitors piece... I have easily found a decision. One competitors piece, has a somewhat ideal interpretation of the theme... but don't quite pull it off. Gemini; Your piece has a nice idea behind it... but alot of things don't fit. There could always be a better stock choice, this one seems to give mixed interpretations, and not as much focus on the water, as what feels like sorrow from the girl.

Your text choice, again, is a problem with me. The main font choice isn't that great, somewhat bland, and the fading is poorly done. With all the bright flashes and shimmers in the water, it makes a few areas hard to read. The text for "exposure" which I'm not sure what it means in relation, brings up a good point. This entrie piece.... sadly, is pixelated... and not in a good way. Many parts seem grainy, but still managable.

One last thing, and it's a nit-pick of mine... but you don't have a border. No border?!? Some pieces it is understandable... but on this one, it just seems to give a low quality look. Seems slopped together, and... just... I'm not sure where I was going with this one.

Sorry to say, my vote goes to [b]Gemini.[/b]

Please, don't get me wrong, everyone's pieces were great, and please don't take what I said to harshly... I am only trying to justify my vote... I don't want any feelings hurt, or later bias... And don't let what I said count against me to severly.... I really don't wanna hurt anyone.
[/size]

[Boo]

[size=1]On the Kitty deal: Cut it out. It's clear that everybody has his/her opinion, depending on what he/she sees. If someone likes a piece less because he has seen the background too much , live with it.

Now for the vote.

I didn't like this round. The theme water gives you very little space to toy around. You quickly get that people just take a premade background for it. I'm a bit surprised that nobody has done something less serious, like including bubbles or something, but meh.

My vote would go to [b]Gemini[/b]. On one hand I felt like voting on someone else (except Baron, who assumably made the image from scratch). If you look at all pictures, this one sure is original. But originality alone doesn't cut it. The quality of the stock image is too grainy for my taste. [i]Here's a lesson for future works: Don't save as JPEG.[/i] The text is placed weird and doesn't catch my attention at all. Where the background is white, you can see that it isn't pure white. You should've either made it pure white or added a border. This looks incomplete. [/size]

[Dagger]

[CENTER]Gemini - 4
Doc - 2
Kitty - 2
Retribution - 1[/CENTER]

Doc, Kitty, Retribution and Baron Samedi will proceed to Round 4 (and I'll create the threads for that shortly). Congratulations.

[quote name='Boo][size=1']I didn't like this round. The theme water gives you very little space to toy around. You quickly get that people just take a premade background for it. I'm a bit surprised that nobody has done something less serious, like including bubbles or something, but meh. [/size][/quote]
Speaking for myself, I was pretty taken aback by the homogeneity of most of the pieces. I'm really quite astonished that no one chose to do something involving the ocean, rain, taking a shower, swimming, thirst, evaporation, water boiling, ice melting, dew, lakes/creeks/etc., floods, waterfalls, splashing in puddles, water fountains (decorative or practical), and so on and so forth. I guess some themes just tend to draw more literal responses than others...? I don't know, haha.

~Dagger~