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David Mingay | all galleries >> Mynd Dagsins '15 >> Photo of the Day 2004 > Nov 16: Bad photo
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16-NOV-2004 David Mingay

Nov 16: Bad photo

I recently found some old b&w 5x7 prints that I made 20+ years ago. Amongst them was a truly awful macro of a pencil sharpener. Badly lit, badly focussed, and not at all interesting. Today, I've created for you, another truly awful photograph of a pencil sharpener. Why? I had approx 30 seconds to set this up and shoot it, while LA was busy locking the house just as we were about to go out.

So why post a bad photograph? It's the nature of PotD. Some people do a Photo a Day without actually showing photograph every day. They'll not get around to it, or not like any photos that day. So it amounts to 'Photo a Day when I have time to and take a good one'. Fine, if that's your rules. Well, I'll confess here and now that I sometimes take bad photographs. Everyone does. Here's one of mine.

The original 1980's photogtraph can be seen here.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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virginiacoastline22-Nov-2004 03:10
the original may well have been uninteresting . .all the other stuff about poorly lit, et al . .I don't really know. This, however HAS interest . . see the fan it creates? THAT is interesting . . .and the shadow from it. But the pencil itself sux ^_~
brother_mark20-Nov-2004 05:45
Oh for god's sake! I was scrolling backward and then went forward to see this one again and posted my first comment over!! Time for bed.
brother_mark20-Nov-2004 05:44
If my bad photos were this good, I'd post them.
brother_mark20-Nov-2004 05:41
If my bad photos were this good, I'd post them.
Robin Reid17-Nov-2004 16:54
Oh I should I add that I keep you on my favorite list becasue I think you do set a good photographic standard and I often learn from you.
Robin Reid17-Nov-2004 16:53
This one is for sure sharper ;-) than the old one.
Your points re taking the PaD on THAT day are well taken. I do that about 95% of the time. Sometimes I'll post a great sunset from the night before etc.
Guest 17-Nov-2004 15:23
After I finished my year of Photo a Day, I realized how much I learned from the project, and that I wanted to continue but without the OBLIGATION and TIME constraints of posting everyday. I really try to post ONLY when I have a photo that doesn't suck. I won't post just for the sake of putting up something. Not everyone has the TIME to do this (ot a partner as tolerant of the project) yet I still have the desire to participate. I feel that after playing by the "rules" for a year, I still warrant a place in the META?

Oh, and this isn't nearly as sucky as the original! LOL!!

Try harder to post a crap picture, you didn't really succeed here, dude!

And where's my jammies!
Guest 17-Nov-2004 13:30
I like this shot!
jude17-Nov-2004 13:22
I think the curl of wood and graphite that is coming out of the sharpener is perfect in it's detail and lighting. The sharpener itself and pencil don't jump out at me. but the curl itself.. very nice..
Gary Blanchette17-Nov-2004 13:09
David, I believe PAD rules were tossed out months ago, hahaha! Besides, stop being so hard on yourself. This image is cool!
Ray :)17-Nov-2004 11:53
Looks a bit wooden to me.
Mike R17-Nov-2004 11:38
You are going to have to 'sharpen up your act' David! Tee Hee. Did this need any unsharp mask? Was this with your sharpest lens? Ha Ha Ha Ha .....somebody stop me!!!
Lori Rolfe17-Nov-2004 11:00
I actually thought it was a very good image David..... I like the framing, the line you've created to keep the eye moving through the image and the contrasting textures of the woods
Linda Alstead17-Nov-2004 11:00
hee heee hee - see even the great DM, photograph creator extraordinaire has an off day sometimes!
Donald Verger17-Nov-2004 10:49
WAY cool incredible image!!!!!! the curl is wonderful as is the whole creation! it gets my vote without a thougt! can you out do this one? i'll keep an eye out.....