Please don't comment unless... by Chris Spracklen

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29.5.13	Chris Spracklen

Please don't comment unless...

I.C.B.P., Near Newent, Gloucestershire

…YOU'VE READ THE FOLLOWING!!

My integrity has been called into question with regard to my 'gyr falcon stoop' photo, so I am posting the original version, (no editing or cropping), so that fellow Pbasers can see that this
was a genuine gyr falcon, doing a genuine stoop, and was caught by my genuine Nikon 70-200 lens ~ though, as I stated from the off, I was also using a 2x teleconverter.

The bird was shot at the International Bird of Prey Centre, near Newent, during a flying display. As you can see from this original, the bird had a GPS telemetry device (and a bell!) on its back, which I
removed in Photoshop for aesthetic reasons. I also replaced the sky for the same reason. In that sense alone was my original post a 'false' image. The image was obviously cropped so that you
could see more of the bird and less of the sky!

I'd be interested which of the two images you think looks better! I.M.H.O. the essence of the shot was that I took a real-time shot of a very real, very fast-moving bird, at 1/5000th of a second,
hand-held, with a 2xTC, and the lens / camera combo got the bird pin-sharp! Good ole Nikon!

Nikon D7000 ,Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
With Nikon TC-20E III
1/5000s f/5.6 at 140.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

previous | next

Please e-mail me for permission if you'd like to make use of any of my photo's. Thanks.

Patrick Goossens		15-Aug-2013 10:45
This version creates a feeling of great speed but I also like the other version.

Frank Brault		15-Aug-2013 01:01
A fantastic image! I agree with Martin Lamoon's comment. V

Fong Lam		15-Jul-2013 05:19
Fantastic shot, Chris.....and excellent work on the retouched version.

John Reynolds LRPS		14-Jul-2013 07:12
Great photography all round, Chris.

Gill Kopy		14-Jul-2013 04:20
I rather like the space in this shot - but like the edited one too. Don't we all edit ?? V

Barbara Read and Fred Schaad		14-Jul-2013 02:26
Both images are beautiful in their own way. No question there. I often tell people that only half the job is taking the picture. The other half is the editing. V

woody34		14-Jul-2013 01:59
Agree with the common denominator, they are both fantastic shots and why not use a tool to edit a wonderful capture...very well done...VV

Gary A. Rich (GRainelev)		14-Jul-2013 01:57
Chris, this is an amazing image. I like the crop version, also. I know where you are coming from. I have an image up currently that has been on another site. I had some comments about the eyesores. I wanted them in the image, for depth. Great job. V.

janescottcumming		14-Jul-2013 00:45
After flipping back and forth between this photo and the altered one I believe they are both amazing photographs. The fact that you captured this speeding bird is incredible and the altered photo that you made from this is magical. In this day and age why not use all the tools in the tool box to create the best possible image that you can create. You did that my friend with your magnificent close up!

Graeme		13-Jul-2013 22:14
I like both versions, Chris. The first one is so beautifully detailed and taken with amazing timing. The far away capture is equally as good my friend.BV

Karen Stuebing		13-Jul-2013 21:32
How bizarre that someone would question your crop. I like this version too.

Walter Otto Koenig		13-Jul-2013 21:20
I like them both for reasons already mentioned. Ignore those who question your integrity and let your work speak for itself, which is consistently some of the best seen on PBase! "V"

Helen Betts		13-Jul-2013 20:17
I prefer the edited and closer up version because of the fantastic sharpness and detail, but I do like this as well, which gives a feeling of totally free flight. I can't see why anybody would call your integrity into question over a photograph!

Colin Storey		13-Jul-2013 18:24
Both are superb, I also prefer the edited version. v To me, your integrity would never be in doubt in anything that you do my friend.

Hank Vander Velde		13-Jul-2013 17:18
Great shot and great work on the processing Chris.

bill friedlander		13-Jul-2013 16:37
I like like the processed version better, but you had a terrific starting point from which to make the changes! No need to worry about your integrity! V

Mike H.		13-Jul-2013 14:24
Get all of the goodness from your optics, camera, software, and experience -- all that is encompassed in the premise of fine photography. I personally like your choices in the enhanced version very much, Chris! Continue the march, my friend..

Earl Misanchuk		13-Jul-2013 13:59
They are both worthy, but I like the "altered" one better. Contrary to what your critic probably suggested, it has more of a feeling of real life to it. As far as your integrity is concerned, I have only one thing to ask anyone (obviously not someone who considers photography an art) who questioned it : What's so great about reality anyway?

Jim Coffman		13-Jul-2013 13:05
I like the altered version much better!As for your integrity,I never doubted it for a moment!!

pkocinski		13-Jul-2013 12:58
I'd dare say 99% of digital images are "altered" in some way - adding a better sky is done all the time as it "removing a few things" to make the image better. I have no problem with what you've done and in fact I think you did an awesome job capturing the falcon to start with! Bravo to you Chris :-)

Jim's Atavistic Visions		13-Jul-2013 11:00
Works both ways for me!

Stephanie		13-Jul-2013 10:40
Personally, I prefer the altered photo because it shows the outstanding details of the falcon! It also shows how talented you are as a photographer in being able to capture such a fast bird in flight by handholding your camera! Keep up the good work Chris! :)

Kim		13-Jul-2013 09:58
Beautiful action shot!! Great job. BV

laine		13-Jul-2013 09:31
A great shot is a great shot, phooey to those who question this...both versions are worthwhile

mart senior		13-Jul-2013 08:25
I don't know a great photo that is not edited these days..keep up the great work chris. we are all photographers and artists rolled into one and your one of the better ones chris.. don't be offended by someones jealous comment my friend..

Marisa Livet		13-Jul-2013 07:34
I don't see why someone should be so fussy to discuss " your integrity" for a photo! As for this non-retouched version it's equally evocative, but of course one misses a little the details. In both cases the essence of the flight is present and this is the essential

Martin Lamoon		13-Jul-2013 07:22
Which is better? The enhanced photograph is superb and shows great detail, but I prefer this one with more sky, I personally think having the extra sky gives a feeling of action. But for detail the other one is excellent.

chris morton		13-Jul-2013 06:48
its a great freeze of an elegant bird doing its thing

Martin Lamoon		13-Jul-2013 05:26
Fantastic capture Chris. V

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