I'm not accusing you of copying. I'm just observing what I think has been a trend in recent years.

I highly doubt that the vast majority of the "dark" chops are an expression of some kind of personal torment. I think that most are just trying to imitate what they think is "cool". It is a sign of the times, and it's laziness.

YOU BASTARD!!!

(*sticks head out from under rock for moment*)

I think this thread is OKAY as long as we don't COMPARE posts or TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC posting ideas that are happening.

The question on deck is (as I understand it): "Do you think this source image would have been handled differently if posted three years ago".

If we stick to that we should be safe from the Ravages of Bored MODS.

Board Mods?

By the way. I noticed the change long ago. That is why I started this thread. http://photoshopcontest.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=5938
To do a compare and contrast of the past and present. But I gave up. It was too much to keep up with.

first, rerey, I knew when I saw your work in this contest that it had personal meaning to you. I think it's a powerful image. This isn't your usual style and there's nothing wrong with trying something new.

I started this thread because of a longstanding trend on this site that I find rather unfortunate.

My personal opinion...

I like images with meaning.
I like images with story.
I also like images that are beautiful just for the sake of being beautiful.

I can't stand images that pretend to have meaning.

Taking a source pic, combining it with a goat's head, a discarded baby doll, an old man and ominous lighting is NOT meaningful. To use EJH's word, it's "easy".
It "appeals" to people on a baser level - the gut, not the brain.

Also -
When I saw that the source for today was chains, I knew that an inordinate amount of entries would feature pained people chained up.

I find this kind of predictability and inside-the-box thinking uninspiring.

It's quite possible that photoshop skills on the site today are considerably better than those of 3 years ago.
It's undeniable, however, that the ideas are worse.

and what splodge said[/b]

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er, ummm.... I got a BUNNY in mine.... does that count?

(*blushes *)

Oh! SORRY! I should NOT have specifically mentioned any details of my Very Late In The Game / Chopped In An Hour entry to this contest. My deepest appologies! It won't EVER happen again (in this particular post) and you can count on that.

(*blushing continues - it might just be too much vodka - who knows? Anyone got pretzels? *)

It's true. Most of the images today are pictures or scenes. The illustrations of situations or really clever twists seem to be few and far between, but when they do show up, they win. Drawing is easy. Thinking is not. Thinking of clever ideas like these
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/90546/display.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/70400/display.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/67046/display.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/49477/cablecar.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/79311/under-construction.html
Is very hard to do.
Let's post some of your favorite "outside the box" images to show people what you mean.
I'm going to start a thread for that if you don't mind. I think it will be fun.

This guy is really clever too.
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/121702/under-the-layers.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/85608/upup-and-away.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/95449/dried-up-river-bed.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/102153/mud-room-entry.html
I wish I could be more like him. What???...........Oh...... Never mind.

I'm surprised by the lack of guard dogs behind the locked gate. My first thought was a big mean janetdog(shepherd). Then I thought about a snarling, bouncing chihuahua. I gave up after a few minutes figuring that would be the cliche entry for the day. Then, Caveman and Eureka came on tv and I fell asleep.

Overall, The quality has improved by leaps and bounds over oldschool psc. That and voting. My only winner recieved 8 votes! Still, It was fun to get up, Check out the picture of the day and chop like mad for a few hours to get an image posted. A much smaller image. I usually cut the source down to 800X600 because the big original is too much trouble to chase around ps7 all day. Oh, Some of the darker images are kinda lame. I always felt that bright, colorful images were easier to sell.

just when I finally got over it...

all i thought was, that looks like english trash behind the gate, that must be england, FREE THE ENGLISH TRASH

all my chops are outside the box. They all have storys behind them. When i try and put them back in the box they all start babbling. Each one telling his side of the story. I don't believe them though, buncha liars they are.

I say the entrys have changed over the years because the people have changed over the years. Trends like the all evil darkness you all speak of is called self expression. Do some copy others. I don't think so, they may want to learn or emulate a style, or they may just feel that way.
You know Jesse James made choppers long before the world even considered a chopper being a bike they would ride. Before Jesse it was the 70's style choppers like EASY RIDER. He still had a idea and did'nt compromise because it was concidered different. He knew what he wanted to build and now at 100 grand a piece he is laughing all the way to the bank. So who knows the next Jesse may be responding to this post.

The photo was taken on Staten Island (which is a rather godforsaken place)