Love it! Thanks for taking this and sharing it with all of us. Yes, after a few milli-seconds, they are obviously fake, but the initial 'wham!' is still great, regardless.
David, this is a great shot. And for the challenge it was almost too perfect.
For what it's worth, I never had a problem with it being a staged shot. This is just not a scene that happens in nature, but it can be created in the mind of the photographer! Congrats!
I am simply questioning the integrity of a shot that is nature-like. I mean, most of the people who voted thought it was real probably, had they know it wasn't, the results would be much different. Then there is that ethics question of shooting nature photographs and present it as a nature photograph even though it's fake. How would someone like it if National Geographic prints out a photograph of a snow leopard (very difficult to find) and it was simply a cut and paste from a previous photograph? People would be pissed. It's just ethics. If these were three REAL butterflies with increased saturation, that's one thing.
actually, i thought the butterflies were real and the grass is fake.
Thanks David. Sorry this has caused soo much controversy :) when I made the comment (and I probably should've made it during the challenge but didn't have the time) it was referring to my initial reaction at the image which was "Wow, what a good nature shot"... then realized it wasn't nature shot but presented this way. That's my gripe, it wasn't personal but probably should've left the comment during the voting instead of after.
Originally posted by dsidwell:
Actually, I don't think Paganini's thoughts were "sour grapes" at all. In his defense, he has great reason to be pleased with his work on the site, and I encourage you to explore his good work. I just think he disagrees in theory with this type or style of photography.
Actually, I don't think Paganini's thoughts were "sour grapes" at all. In his defense, he has great reason to be pleased with his work on the site, and I encourage you to explore his good work. I just think he disagrees in theory with this type or style of photography.
people seem to get their underwear all bunched up over stupid things. This is a beautiful staged shot, fit the challenge well and is well deserving of the recognition you received. Congrats! I look forward to seeing your future work in whatever form it takes.
An awful lot of sour grapes going on here. How unfortunate, that it should spoil the celebration of an excellent and deserving photograph. Where do these people get off? Where in the challenge does it say make this a "real" shot? Was this challenge about colour or reality?
Besides, anyone who actually thought these butterflies were real needs to take a serious look at their own grip on reality! (Or at the very least, need to take a bit more time LOOKING at the images)
I liked this shot a lot - though I don't think it's a 'great' photo, it was just a little too clean for my liking. I don't see that it's presented as a nature photograph - my first impression was how the hell did you get three butterflies to stay still for so long, then i thought they must be dead, and then i thought that they were obviously not real butterflies - that thought process took about 2 seconds.
Paganini - would you have been more or less annoyed had these been dead butterflies?
I am simply questioning the integrity of a shot that is nature-like. I mean, most of the people who voted thought it was real probably, had they know it wasn't, the results would be much different. Then there is that ethics question of shooting nature photographs and present it as a nature photograph even though it's fake. How would someone like it if National Geographic prints out a photograph of a snow leopard (very difficult to find) and it was simply a cut and paste from a previous photograph? People would be pissed. It's just ethics. If these were three REAL butterflies with increased saturation, that's one thing.
I knew these were fake butterfly, hence the 2 vote, you can tell by looking at the perfect colors of the butterfly wings, which doesn't happen in nature, also the edges of the wings, looks like it's CUT from paper.
We already have what, a ton of photos with hue adjustments and shifted colors FOR NATURE shots (which i consider blasphemous), but this one is worse. It's just like spot editing an image by inserting elements that weren't there before. I don't care for other shots, but for nature shots I'd expect real photographs, not fake ones.
This wasn't a "Nature" challenge, it was a COLOR challenge. I see it as a "real photograph" of a variety of objects in the colors specified...
I knew these were fake butterfly, hence the 2 vote, you can tell by looking at the perfect colors of the butterfly wings, which doesn't happen in nature, also the edges of the wings, looks like it's CUT from paper.
We already have what, a ton of photos with hue adjustments and shifted colors FOR NATURE shots (which i consider blasphemous), but this one is worse. It's just like spot editing an image by inserting elements that weren't there before. I don't care for other shots, but for nature shots I'd expect real photographs, not fake ones.
A very nice shot, but I bet had you disclosed they were fake people would have judged you accordingly.
Fake butterflies don't fly; you implied that you attempted to get them flying and then state that you were simply mysterious with the execution of the photo.
David,
Congratulations! I'm sorry I didn't have time to vote this week - look what I've missed! I love the composition of this shot - I'm sure you worked to get the grass just right and everything. Colors are great and focus is perfect. A 10 in my book.
I am assuming that these are cut out butterflies or something. Would be interested in knowing how this was done. The color is beautiful. Really stands out nicely on the green background. Focus and clarity are good, and I like how you have this setup. Nice job. ~Heather~
Superb colours, great idea and composition.
Would like to see the yellow butterfly sharper so it really pops out at you but that's a minor quibble. Great shot, well done.
Fantasy is right. Try to get three real ones to hold still long enough for such a great shot! (C: Great colors and DOF. I love them within the green plants, adds alot of contrast and interest to the shot
How DID you do this?? However you did it (are the butterflies fake?), it's a very creative concept and a terrific photo! I gave it a 10 -- hope it wins a ribbon!
Great use of color - solitary colors here work extremely well among the repetitious greens. I would have actually put the blue or red closest, since their colors are more striking and exciting. Great work here either way. 8
What a wonderful picture. I wish that I took it. It is vivid, expressive, and fun. It is almost unreal. Are the butterflies real? Is it Photoshop? Wonderful work, regardless. 10 Morgan
Saturation may be a little high, but I love the feel of this shot. The composition and simplicity really make for a pleasing viewing experience. 10 -danny
Butterfly Fantasy
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