Search challenge

[disavowed]

+Fravia used to host "search challenges" every once in a while where he would challenge seekers to find something on the web.

A few years ago I saw a nifty motorcycle video and I had a need to find it again today. After spending half-an-hour Googling like crazy, I finally found it, and it was much more difficult to find it than I expected.

As such, I present the following search challenge: find a website hosting the attached video. (And no cheating by uploading it yourself to your own website!)

Good luck

[Woodmann]

A one second video. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

How do you desire the answer to this?

Woodmann

[Kayaker]

Hmmmm indeed. Presumably disa had a few search terms available the first time around. The only outstanding things I can see is the video effect and that's maybe an old Harley (maybe even WWII vintage?)

Googling for "freaky negative effects motorcycle video" didn't do much. The terms 'negative effect' and 'motorcycle' only gets into social implications of bikes in general.

So maybe there's a name for that video effect (which looks like some kind of frame overlap of differing grey levels) that could be used as a search clue? Is that effect what made the video "nifty"?

I'd like to key in on the motorcycle model and year, but it's too hard to determine that from such a poor quality image. (I know it certainly doesn't look like my bike, but I wish I had it )

What's that supposed to be anyway, Easy Rider on acid?

[JMI]

Can't be "Easy Rider!" The Bike is not a "Chopper."

Regards,

[disavowed]

Quote:

[Originally Posted by Woodmann;71263]How do you desire the answer to this?

A URL to a currently hosted video of it would be fine.

Quote:

[Originally Posted by Kayaker]Presumably disa had a few search terms available the first time around.... Googling for "freaky negative effects motorcycle video" didn't do much.

That's pretty much the search term I began with. As a hint, I'd recommend avoiding trying to search based on the motorcycle's make/model/year; that would probably be a dead-end. Stick with the "freaky negative effects motorcycle video"-type searches

[Admiral]

No luck here, but a word to the wise: Don't put 'flashing motor-cycle (movie | video)' into Google Image Search when your boss is around

Admiral

[naides]

I got this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-W6xe9t8_Q&mode=related&search=

Does it count Disa?

[Woodmann]

BAHAHAHHaaaaaaaaaaa...........

I got that one also when using the keywords flash and motorcycle.

Woodmann

[Silkut]

Been seeking since this morning, no luck yet.

[Kayaker]

bump..

So, do we get a hint or is this thread dead? I hate unfinished challenges, especially when I've done silly things like look at the mov file in a hex editor for clues and been redirected to numerous pr0n sites while searching for things like, 'flashing, men in leathers and videos'. I found a lot of interesting videos...just not that particular one..

So,...?


We need more search challenges

[disavowed]

hah, now i have to remember how i found it in the first place. give me a little time to find it again and then i'll think up some hints.

[disavowed]

whew.. found it again. not easy
well first of all, if you're not watching the video in continuous-loop mode, you're not getting the full effect of what's going on. i should've mentioned that earlier. so watch that first to appreciate it.

i originally saw this video in a university class on visual perception and cognition, so i began my search with site:.edu thinking that i'd find it on an academic website. i was wrong
don't waste your time restricting your search to .edu's.

and don't waste your time with looking for hints in the raw data of the video itself.

i'll post a hint in a day or two if no one finds it by then.

[Kayaker]

I think the appropriate response here is.. D'oh!

I found it in about 10 minutes (plus the 3+- hours previously). Still don't quite understand the explanation, but it's still cool, I love visual trickeries.

Wasn't looking for a spoiler, just didn't want this thread to die

In retrospect, I should have realized that the visual effect I/we were seeing was a critical clue and paid more attention to that (why am I seeing it), instead of just being dazzled by / accepting it, and using that question as a search clue.

[Silkut]

Well I spend about 5h on it. Still no probant result (wandered alot on fravias page).
Nice challenge anyway.

[disavowed]

congrats, kayaker. feel free to post your winning search term(s) when you feel like it. not sure if you want to give others some more time to try.

[Kayaker]

I forget the exact search terms that indirectly got me there. Initially I was trying to find it in terms of creating the digital effects of the video itself (flashing, negative images, etc.). While those might be useful search terms, and are indeed part of the effect, the subject matter was all wrong.

Then you mentioned the university course where you saw it and I started searching under a different category. Somehow I stumbled over a reference to the site and found the exact file you uploaded. The funny thing is, it was only after it was explained that I realized I was being fooled into seeing something that should be impossible in a 1 sec clip. I simply accepted the illusion without questioning it, that's why I'm somewhat chagrined

The question to ask yourself then, in 1 word or less, is what visual effect are you seeing or perceiving? Is that possible in the number of video frames provided? Ignore the fact that it happens to be a motorcycle you're looking at.

[Iwarez]

Found! I must say your and kayaker's reponse helped a lot in the search. After I knew what I was searching for it was a matter of 5-10 minutes. Gotta love google

[Woodmann]

I could lie but I will not.

I cant find it and I prolly spent 3-4 hours looking.
Even with hints I cant find it.

I must be thinking about it too much.

Wood

[JMI]

Maybe it has something to do with the "visual effect" which makes it "appear" that the motorcycle is moving, which it actually isn't!

Regards,

[Iwarez]

Whoa, the great woodmann can't find it? However, according to JMI's reply I guess the 'googlemaster' did find it?

Maybe it helps that I found a pdf file first which contained an image of the motorcycle and a reference to the author of the picture. After that it was a piece of cake.

[JMI]

Had a little time to actually try searching this morning. With the clues provided, took only a few minutes to find this particular "clip" on the net. What worked for me was a three word search criteria.

This is NOT from that search criteria, but from a "reference" about the effect which we observed:

"... (what we see) can be explained by a biphasic temporal impulse response that modifies the stimulus delivered to motion energy sensors. It offers a basis for further research on temporal and motion responses in the visual system as well as a tool for animators and graphic artists to create consistent apparent movement from minimal external stimulation."

My initial search criteria actually discovered the creator of this clip, which I didn't realize at that moment. Or at least I hadn't gone through all the links before I thought of another criteria to use to search, which found a copy of what appears to be the original clip.

Apparently, an "improved" version of this effect actually won a prize in a competition.

[EDIT] Created a slightly edited version of my three word search criteria, which produced the clip as part of the first hit, even though the search criteria does not contain the creator's name, which I had already discovered.

Thanks to disavowed for this interesting challenge and the very interesting subject matter.



Regards,

[Iwarez]

Interesting. The information you post about an improved version can't be found on the page I found. I wonder whether the clip is hosted on multiple pages. Well, it is the internet afterall. It probably is. Can't wait until the webpages can be revealed. After that I really would like to take a look at the improved version. I found the original already very interesting.

[JMI]

Iwarez:

PM coming to you with the initial link I found, which contains a link to the "improved" version. I'll also give you my search criteria.

Regards,

[Woodmann]

I still cant find the fucking thing.

At this point, I am so irritated I dont care.
Even though I will continue to look .

Woodmann

[disavowed]

Woodmann, JMI's earlier post should help you find it:

Quote:

[Originally Posted by JMI;72570]"... (what we see) can be explained by a biphasic temporal impulse response that modifies the stimulus delivered to motion energy sensors. It offers a basis for further research on temporal and motion responses in the visual system as well as a tool for animators and graphic artists to create consistent apparent movement from minimal external stimulation." My initial search criteria actually discovered the creator of this clip

[babar0ga]

Damn! Got it!
JMI helped a lot...

[Woodmann]

It seems that you need An exact search phase to find it ?

Woodmann

(I did find it)

[Woodmann]

This is the latest search challenge from F+.

Good Luck.
Woodmann

There seems to be some technical difficulties uploading a .jpg

Here is the link:

http://www.searchlores.org/searching_image_challenge_2008_1.htm

[disavowed]

Quote:

[Originally Posted by Woodmann;72618]http://www.searchlores.org/searching_image_challenge_2008_1.htm

I tried Google-image-searching for the type of media, the type of day, the characters portrayed, and the location, but http://images.google.com/images?q=oil+hot+women+beach returned something different from what I was looking for.

[Iwarez]

This one proves to be hard... I tried several combinations in several search engines but to no avail... Let's sleep and start fresh tomorrow.

[babar0ga]

Any progress on this? I spent few hours looking for this one but nothing...

[Silkut]

Quote:

[Originally Posted by babar0ga;72809]Any progress on this? I spent few hours looking for this one but nothing...

You mean on the latest +F's riddle ? Actually there is quite a lot of hints on the Seeker's msgboard. I did not found it though.

[babar0ga]

Yes, i saw those hints. Also, nothing here.

It's hard...

[Silkut]

Hmm as said in the challenge announcement, we should try to focus on the right part of the painting, because looking for paintings from the possible authors from this specific art movement (hopefully quite easy to situate in the time) is not an easy task, I start to think about someone inspirated by les maîtres en la matière.

[Woodmann]

I still have not found it.
I have found many that are close.

Woodmann

[Kayaker]

I'm certainly no art connoisseur, but on first impression (no pun intended), it doesn't strike me as Eugene Boudin's work as was suggested, though the subject matter and style are certainly similar.

Two things in particular, most of his paintings online seem "darker" than the search challenge image. Even when he uses the bright yellows, reds and blues, the sea and sky always look more brooding and ominous.

Second is that his faces almost never have any detail, sometimes completely lacking facial features entirely. Whereas the kids at least in the search picture have eyes, ears and noses.

The challenge image just seems sharper and bolder, there are clear outlines and the figures stand out individually when compared to many of Boudin's paintings, where you generally see a mass of humanity all kind of softly blended together.

But what do I know, I'm just talking out of my ass, don't think I've ever been to an art gallery in my life and normally wouldn't give such a painting a second look.

But from a reversers perspective where everything should be viewed with suspicion,.. it just don't look right to be Boudin. Art Zen?

It wouldn't surprise me if the missing part the ladies are looking at with a spyglass is a ship like the children are playing with..

[JMI]

I had that same thought. And of course, one of the hints was "what they were looking at."

Regards,

[Silkut]

Thou art right Kayaker, the lack of details on faces also eliminates Berthe Morisot. I started from Monet's paintings and looked at his master and the people he inspirated. Am I the only one to find a land on the (middle right corner) horizon ?

[JMI]

Pure speculation here, but I was "assuming" that they would be watching a departing ship, more than likely carrying someone of significance to the woman (women) and children, who are playing with such a ship.

I haven't found it either yet, but time has been limited for serious searching. Now I wish I had taken some Art classes in college.

Regards,

[Woodmann]

What strikes me as odd is that someone would paint such a thing with the women looking at something but not show what they are looking at.

I would be very surprised if the painting was from a "master".
Since I have looked at virtually everyone who is a "name" as an impressionist, I think searching by a name will be futile.

Here are some of the keywords I have used, maybe someone can use them.

Sea, ocean, beach, seaside, seashore, waters edge, shore, victorian, women, children, kids, holiday

Lets figure this out together. Post your search words .

Woodmann

[JMI]

Woody:

Under the Rules on the Search page, as Item # 3, it states:

The image pp_002.jpeg, published below, has been cropped on the right side (the signature of the painter was there), one wonders what the two ladies are looking at...

I took this as a suggestion that what they were looking at might also have been cropped, but, again, that is speculation from what was said. However, as you noted, it would be somewhat unusual to show subjects looking off into the distance, particularily with "glasses" of some type, without at least some hint of what they might be looking at, unless, perhaps the name of the painting would somehow identify what the "missing" object might be.

Regards,

[Woodmann]

OK then........

We need to come up with some search words that will help us with what is missing IE;

Boat, ship, storm etc;

Woodmann

[Kayaker]

It looks like the toy ship might be a French mutin cutter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ship_Mutin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutter_(ship)


On a related and weird note...

"I need a name of the artist"

I say old chap(ette), that's just not cricket, wot?..

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artforum/topic_view/topic/89040

[babar0ga]

After some googling and founding nothing i've decided to read a little about art of painting.
It seems that techiques used on this one are impasto and or sfumato.

I used those terms but still nothing...

[TBone]

Ah! Thank you, babar0ga! Impasto. The first thing I noticed about this painting was that the paint was laid on very thickly with broad brush-strokes. Possibly with a paint knife, instead. I'm not enough of an art aficionado to know what that was called. I don't really see much in the way of sfumato in this painting, though.

Quote:

[Originally Posted by Kayaker]I'm certainly no art connoisseur, but on first impression (no pun intended), it doesn't strike me as Eugene Boudin's work as was suggested, though the subject matter and style are certainly similar.

I agree. Boudin fits the bill for the general style, but the Devil's in the details. As you pointed out, Boudin's figures are usually vague and featureless. Another thing I noticed is that the painter of this work tends to outline his figures and other elements with a thin black line; Boudin doesn't appear to do that.

Which leads me to think that this work isn't true impresisonism, per se. I think it's actually an example of post-impressionsim. Here are a few descriptions I gleaned from the web:

Quote:

Post-Impressionists continued using vivid colours, thick application of paint, distinctive brushstrokes and real-life subject matter, but they were more inclined to emphasize geometric forms, to distort form for expressive effect, and to use unnatural or arbitrary colour.

Quote:

Post-Impressionism follows Impressionism. The artists involved were influenced by Impressionism although their work shares few similarities. Disinterested in recording light and color phenomena, Post-Impressionism is characterized by bright color, sharp, often outlined edges.

These descriptions fit the painting to a tee. The paint is thick, brush-strokes are disctinctive, and the colors are vivid (like the very red parasol and girls jacket, as well as the skin tones that are almost yellow or orange. The figures are composed of geometric areas which are nearly flat and of a single color, usually divided by one another by a deliberately outlined edge.

This would place the work in the late 19th century. This seems a better fit (to me) for the clothing, as well. They look less Victorian and more early 20th century to me, but I'm certainly no expert.

As for the location, I think there are several hints that painter is French. The toy ship does resemble a Mutin pretty closely. As well, a poster on the searchlores board suggested that the kneeling boy's hat was a traditional French naval design, the name of which I've already forgotten. I also think that +Fravia's comment about "sipping a nice glass of wine" might have also been a prod in that direction. France and Italy are probably the two countries most closely associated with wine making. Of the two, France is certainly tied more closely to Impressionism, while as far as I can tell, there were very few Italian (post)impressionists.

I'm reasonably sure that the artist is a fairly obscure one. For one thing, this wouldn't be much of a challenge had he chosen a Monet, or Pissarro. But more importantly, +Fravia states that not just "a part" or a "tiny part", but only a "very tiny part" of readers would recognize the image.

I haven't had any luck tracking it down, myself, but I think maybe I have a little more to go on.

I tried searching based on some specific elements of the painting, and I can offer this advice: don't try looking for the distinctive "red parasol". Unfortunately, there's another fairly well-known impressionist painting by that title (a Pissarro, I think) which completely jacks up the signal-to-noise ratio for that token.

[Woodmann]

Nice work folks .

More words to work with.

Woodmann