Anticipating Spring

Rarely has winter kept me from exploring and capturing the world around me with my camera. However, I do think my granddaughter's antics in this photo capture my own emotions regarding this winter.  Making an attempt to shake off the winter blues, I headed out for a walk during a break in the rain. It appears the whole of nature is also anticipating spring.

Nicole's Preview

Now for the vibrant Nicole.

I enjoyed working with Gabby, Alicia and Nicole and look forward to doing more shoots like these. Prior to last Sundays photo shoot with these three wonderful ladies I had not thought of trying my hand at this type of photography, now I can't wait to do more.

Alicia's Sneak Peek

Here are a few shots of the lovely Alicia, another one of the models from last Sunday's photo shoot.

After a series of serious shots we decided to lighten things up and shoot something a bit different. I have to admit this next shot is one of my favorite shots of the entire week let alone day.

Weekly Top Shot Submission

Taekwondo Photo Session

I was invited to use another photographers' studio to get some practice shooting models in studio conditions. This is the first time I have done portrait photograph in a studio, and the first time working with models. While it is very different from what I am use to it was a lot of fun and I did get a feel for using studio lights. 

The first of the three models I worked with was Gabby. This sweet young woman who enjoys modeling also holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Yes, the sword is real!

What Do You Think

Now I am not against post processing, a little tweaking here and there or converting to a high definition photograph can bring the end results closer to what the photographer actually saw. As with this photo

slight adjustment to increase vibrancy

I am not even against complete alterations such as occur with composite photographic art. How could I be, when I am first and foremost a photographic design artist and secondly a photographer. However, I do not believe a photographer or photographic artist should pass off a photograph that has been digitally altered, even if they have done an nearly undetectable alteration, as a common photograph. Here is an example of one of my composite art pieces.

Composite Photographic Art: includes three photographs and digitally painted aspects.

Yesterday I came across the beautiful and breathtaking photo below, which is the "...winner of a prestigious national award...". 

photo by Danny Beath, shared from telegraph.co.uk link above

Not that I want to rob a well deserving photographer of greatly deserved praise, but I do wonder in this case if that praise is fully justified. I have no idea what the rules about altered photographs were for this contest or if there were even any such rules. I also can not say with 100% accuracy without seeing the full resolution file or the original image file if this has been altered. Considering the lighting on the poppy fields does not reflect the cloud cover and that there is edge discoloration lines where there shouldn't be, I can say that I am 99.9% sure that this photograph has not only been altered but that it is in reality a composite of two photographs taken at different times.  In the photographers defense I will say that if it is as I believe both photographs were undoubtedly very good photos to begin with. I will also say that IF I am completely wrong the photographer has captured an amazing scene.

What do you think, is it real or is it altered?
Should altered photographs be entered in traditional photographic competitions without disclosure of alterations?

Where Did The Days Go?

Just when I thought my mojo had returned . . . ZAP! More than a week has gone by and I have no clue where it went! At least this time I wasn't a total recluse and did make it out for a walk on the beach one afternoon.

Although I enjoy capturing the antics of the sea gulls, I am always excited to see what the waves have brought ashore. While some may have felt sorry for this poor jelly fish I was rather happy to have stumbled across such a colorful subject.

At first the colors looked rather murky but when I unfolded the creature its markings were quiet beautiful.

 

 A little further down the shore this splash of green caught my eye.

I think this next guy was asking for food but I haven't quite figured out their language yet.

All in all it was a very peaceful although chilly afternoon.