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Evolution in Reverse
Published: 2010-10-29 10:08:26 +0000 UTC; Views: 24151; Favourites: 1093; Downloads: 277
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EDIT: I'm incredibly happy to see my favorite image voted a DD. thanks so much to *RedNihao for suggesting it and to ^DemonMathiel for the feature!I was shooting in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with a friend when a religious ceremony suddenly began. These four nuns were a part of a larger group arranged in a row, but when I saw them positioned like that, it struck me that their apparent order of "religiousness" represented the exact opposite (in my eyes) to the famous illustration of Darwin's theory. This was a one in a million shot, since it is absolutely not staged in any way, and still looks exactly like I'd imagine it if I had staged it. As far as this is from what I usually shoot, I believe this is the finest image I've ever produced, both aesthetically and in its message.
I'm well aware that the title is provocative, yet I see it as a statement on a subject important to me personally. Let's just not turn it into a holy war or anything of the sort.
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Canon EOS 40D
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS
f/2.8, 1/25sec, ISO1600
Church of the holy sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Comments: 198
I'll give this a try (although as the other mentioned, it's hard to criticize it since you didn't set it up).
As far as composition goes, this is almost perfect.
The triangle implied by the figures, expertly offset by the corner of the painting in the top right. Great asymmetrical balance. The lights and the darks are all in the right places, the weight is on the bottom without it being too heavy.
The only thing that's slightly jarring for me is the left hand side's abruptness- if it was cropped it would have been cropped too tightly (I don't agree with some others who thought the top should be cropped closer either); a little more room to the left of the first standing nun would help open up the image a bit, rather than leaving my eyes to wander off the border when I follow the shape of the triangle (they need a little room to make a sharp turn like that, at least for me).
Colours, lighting, contrast- all almost perfect. Which is amazing considering the environment you shot this in.
Right, so on to the rest of the art: Your title and presentation.
I consider spur of the moment photos like this almost as found art. Your selection was exquisite, but it's how one presents it that really speaks.
The title is excellent; I can't suggest anything better. "De-evolution" would have been too explicit and too technical. "Evolution in reverse" implies, as you mentioned, the famous illustration, as well as the clash between science and faith that has become ever so popular these days.
The real clever bit is that you managed to make it slightly provocative without it really being offensive, which is a pretty tricky task. Sure, some people were offended, but they're [nutters] outliers anyway- it's simply amazing how many Christians in the replies related just as well as the Atheists.
Some even came up with very interesting metaphysical explanations.
Others may even see it as "evolution is bad and faith is good, so the reverse of bad is good!"- it's slightly up to interpretation (although that one might be a stretch).
The notion of faith as a throwback, whether that's bad or good (for the viewer's consideration) is the strongest here in my view.
I've read all of the comments, and the flexibility with which it was interpreted below is as intriguing as the piece itself- so your art really shines in light of that.
Anyway, great find, great shot, and great presentation!
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Thank you very much - I've really enjoyed reading your critique!
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You really captured an amazing shot here--doubled by the fact that this is one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it sort of moments. I'd have to praise you for an amazing eye to catch this when you did.
Your title of choice is also a fun one--and by fun, I mean it holds a lot of weight and can (most likely will) spark quite a few debates in the comments. While some might brush off titles and their importance in art, I think they can be a great asset to a piece--since they can open the door to what the artist might be thinking and leaving the viewer speculating. Personally, I find a piece that causes you to argue, with yourself or someone else, to be a sign of true artistic talent.
I really love the psychic and leading lines here--the fact that the bench and wall lead us along and that not only did their heights benefit the shot, but where they're looking and their postures.
I also really love the colors. I like that the deep browns in this are dark enough to separate them from the wall, but the near black of each nun's robe helps pull them forward to really make them the subjects of interest.
I'd like to offer some solid critique here, but the hard thing is that this is a in-the-moment shot--thus there's not much you could have done. I could complain about the blur on the far right nun, but they weren't posed models and I'm sure if you had multiple shots of this, you chose this one because it's the cleanest out of them.
I'm also not sure if you cropped any of this, but playing with proportions of the shot more could have made it a bit more interesting--making it more long and narrow maybe by cropping a bit off the top. However, this is a weak attempt at nitpicking so I'm not throwing nothing but praise at you.
I've little left to say, but great job and congratulations on this well deserved Daily Deviation. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s⦠" width="15" height="15" alt="
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Hey,
Thank you so much for the critique!
I understand your comments about the composition. However, as you've mentioned, there was a very short time window to get the shot, not to mention very hard light conditions (forcing me to use a low shutter speed - therefore the blurred hand on the right). I feel lucky just to have gotten this shot as it is
Best regards,
Erez
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"The next evolutionary step for humankind is to move from human to kind" - Sun
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The shot itself is a great one and I don't want to start a big argument. But I will point out that titling something like this and having that level of disregard for another's beliefs is exactly the root of all the evils that many atheists lay at the feet of religion. When anyone becomes so convinced that their ideas are the only right ones that they have no qualms with scorning others opinions, its only a matter of time before they try to force those opinions on others.
It's not an issue of religion, but human nature which ensures that as soon as a group of people become the majority, they'll try to impose their will on the minority.
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Beautiful work! Congratulations on the DD!
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Absolutely stunning photo, and as you wrote, a one-in-a-million shot. Very well captured, and ingeniously titled. If people would read your description I'm sure a lot of them would actually get your meaning and understand your reasoning in this.
The thing that strikes me most about it is that it's as much conceptual as it is photojournalistic, and if I was you, I would think of entering it in a number of fine art and journalism contests, as I'm sure it has a big chance to win the one or the other price!
In this spirit, congratulation to your DD, well deserved!
Best,
Thomas
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wow this is one of the neutral photo i have ever witnessed
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Thanks for the title - I would have changed the position of the first and second nun (from the left) to underline the message. Because the second nun looks up, the first one looks down to her book. If it would have been staged...
But itΒ΄s just perfect how life created art here...
This picture has two messages for me:
...This happens, if you pray to much...you end up on your knees - a timeline for your mind.
...This happens to any good philosophy. From looking directly in the prophetΒ΄s face to reading about to kneeling and praying.
Yeah, I definitely would have changed positions of the nuns... Good shot even better through good entiteling.
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This reminds me of the Medichi, a bank that started off the Renisaunce era. XD
Just how the people are lined up and such!
Beautiful anyways XD
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A wonderful image with a very thought provoking title, though it's a damn shame that many thoughts expressed here are trite and hateful rather than simply appreciative of a good work of art. You didn't get a holy war, but you did start a flame war, albeit inadvertently.
Again, very nice work. Keep at it!
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I love the overall look as well as the sepia tones of the wall and the shadows.
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sorry for the double post, vepurusg blocked my reply
ok, break downs.
1. look up the definition of Theism and Atheism, pretty hard lined words and don't allow for the shades of gray that Mr.Dawkins implies.
and look up the definition of Religion while your at it, interesting stuff.
2. you agree then?
3. simply creating a scenario that could that could, potentially be offensive is inadequate. the people i know have a broad range of beliefs.
and before you call me a hypocrite, id like to remind you that the simple post i stared with was a reply, not an exclamation. i have been offended, and i will defend my statement.
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Excellent photo and provocative title; it's a shame so many people are responding by leaving cheap potshots at those whose beliefs they disagree with.
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striking , that's all i can say to sum it up... cause i can't find another way to put it
i love it
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title should be "idiot religious cunts". cg 4 teh dd anyway,though it's a crappy image
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This is...fantastic. 
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Beautiful shot! If you hadn't said that you caught it by chance, I would have never believed that it wasn't staged.
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Amazing! I can't believe this isn't posed, wow! Right place and the right time!
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This is a BRILLIANT picture. Probably one of my favourite photographs ever. Congratulations, you did a terrific job!
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i would rather be an ape than an atheist.
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Congratulations! You are an ape.
[link]
Humans are, phylogenically, one of the great apes, along with our cousins: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Orangutans.
Learn basic biology so you can keep your foot out of your mouth.
Oh, by the way, you're also an atheist in most respects- do you believe in Zues? Odin? Shiva? Xenu?
You're an atheist to plenty of gods that are just as valid (and invalid) as your own.
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i am a monotheist get your facts straight before you put your foot in my mouth. i wouldn't treat a pagan greek like he was second class just because i don't share his belief. btw id like to see the research you've done on evolution in your basic biology class, because it seems to me that evolution is the result of a broad number of sciences.
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I know you're a monotheist. See this popular quote:
"We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." -Richard Dawkins
Maybe you haven't heard that quote before, or considered the concept. You are an atheist to gods like Zues, Odin, etc. You don't believe in or worship them.
In Ancient Rome, they would have called you an atheist (atheos), for rejecting their gods.
You're only a theist to, likely, YHWH (just one of many, many gods ever conceived).
Think about it. We can be theistic or atheistic to any number of gods- it's also a relative measure.
"btw id like to see the research you've done on evolution in your basic biology class, because it seems to me that evolution is the result of a broad number of sciences."
What are you talking about? Biological evolution is generally not studied outside of biology very much (though there are branches of evolutionary sociology and psychology, these inherit those concepts from biology- since the brain is biological).
Evolution is the foundation of modern biological taxonomy, and this is very, VERY basic phylogeny. Nothing in biology makes any sense outside of the context of evolution, which is why evolution is an inherent part of all biological science (before that, people were grouping birds and bats together because they both flew, dolphins and sharks together because they both swam, ignorant of their relationships).
They should be teaching you both evolutionary process and phylogeny in an introductory biology class- if they didn't, you had a terrible teacher (or maybe you live in a second world theocracy that rejects science, like Iran or the bible belt in the United States' Midwest).
"i wouldn't treat a pagan greek like he was second class just because i don't share his belief."
I didn't say you would- but you are atheistic to his gods.
You probably also seem pretty insulting to him when you pretend his gods don't exist, but that your god does- it's terribly inconsistent. Isn't it disrespectful for you to say his gods don't exist, and insist that your god does exist? I'd say that's pretty rude.
But it's your right to be insulting and disrespectful to others if you want to.
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I would rather lose all ability to think than be be forced into something I don't believe.
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But religion/dogma is losing the ability to think...
So do you mean you would rather be deluded by dogma, than just forced to practice it while retaining your free thought inside?
I'd much rather keep my own will and have to pretend than be brainwashed.
Being forced into it is only like physical slavery- dogma is mental slavery too. Much worse IMO.
Freedom of thought is one of the most precious things we have.
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i dont care as long as your not an asshole about it.
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Ooh, someone didn't see their original comment! How cute.
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excuse me? i said i would rather be an ape than an atheist.
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Lucky you for having your camera on hand.
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Love it. I can't believe that you didn't stage that.
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Only Creationist nuts would have a problem with this fantastic photo... And Atheist nuts. I myself believe in God, and that Science is how Man sees the Universe. But without God Science is just another tool, rather than a force for good. And hey, if God made Man through evolution, it would only speak to His creativity... And possibly His sense of humor, which is fairly well documented.
Aside from the commented upon blurriness of the Coptic Christian on the far right, this is a great shot and definitely going in my favorites.
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Well said. I totally agree.
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I like your way of thinking,good sir. Such open-minded, rational approaches to a subject matter such as this just instills me with hope for humanity!
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Hm, I think you'd need a bigger sample size for that. But that's me.
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that is such an amazing concept!
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so, how much did they give you to live in israel? free housing, right? all that stuff 'cause of your heritage. the least you could do is PRETEND to be a practicing jew than an arrogant, liberal, "artistic" atheist with nothing else to do than take pictures of holy places and make fun... you rly are full of yourself, huh? maybe try thinking of the palestinians who lost lives and country so assholes like you could take pictures.
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Free housing???? Haha, I wish
Why the hell should I pretend to be a practicing jew when I'm an atheist?
I actually have a lot more to do, really...
and I'm not full of myself, but comments like yours make me just a tiny bit happier.
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miserable liar. of course you're happy, anyone who spends time at holy places laughing at people's devotion can only feel happy when they get attention... you have no god in your life, but He loves you anyway. probably only jerks think you're cool. and, what, are you delusional as well? israel gives all kinds of money and housing to jews of origin! it's zionism, you can't honestly deny that, that's too obviously foolish.
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