sorry if this is not the appropriate group for this, but here we go. I see that under the upload button, only animals photographed in the wild are allowed in the nature category. Why is this? Are not animals in captive natural enough? What about the family dog or goldfish? will there be a category for animals in captivity?

Hi Vegar

 

Glad to clarify for you !! Good question. Will paste below the wording for the Nature Gallery referring to captive and pets.

 

You can post captive animal in the Nature Gallery, we have no objections at all and do not discriminate. We only ask to mention the circumstance, taken at a zoo etc.

 

I got some images of Arctic Wolves taken in captivity, looks natural and you would not know unless it was disclosed.

 

al

Head Moderator

 

_______________________

 

Although we love all animals, please do not post domestic animals such as cats, and dogs. Wild and free subjects are preferred, but we will accept captives, with the understanding that you will offer full disclosure when this is the case. This is not to pass a value judgment, but rather to avoid creating false expectations of proximity to beginning nature photographers.

 

Thanks for the clarification

Hi Vegar, anytime, just let me know what you need !!

 

al

In nature photography you are supposed to take your photos in the wild. It's not the same photographing a very rare animal in 10 minutes in a zoo as spending months in a hide in the jungle to photograph it. For captive animals the category should be "everyday". Also like Al said, please always tell how your photo was taken in the description.

 

Moreover, in nature photography, minimal editing is expected. Major cloning or montages are not allowed in the nature category.

Thank you for your replies Al and Ralf:)

 

Without the intention of starting a big philosophical discussion here I would like to ask two provocative questions:

 

1. Does spending months in the wild for a picture make the picture automatically a "better" or "more valuable" picture? I seem to read this in your statement between the lines.

 

2. Does a park in, let's say Africa, classify as "nature" or "everyday". As far as I know in those parks you can book safaris where you are taken to places where the animals will show up with a high probability? I have also heard (don't know if this is true) that in some locations park management will help a little to convice animals to show up in those picture places.

 

But I totally agree that a photographer should disclose the location and the circumstances under which a picture was shot.

 

Greetings

 

Sebastian

 

Hi Sebastian

 

I can answer the two questions but they could be taken in so many different ways (interpreting)

 

You can stay for months in a remote place getting bit my mosquitoes etc and come back with a poor image. We are not talking about assigning a "difficultly" factor to the image as judges would do in diving competitions.

 

Just one case in point, Eagles. Many photographers would love to have an image of an eagle grabbing a fish. Seems difficult, unless you go to Alaska, get a guide with a boat tossing fish out the back. Will fill as many cards as you want using a 70-200 lens.

 

Lots of wildlife images are shot in parks, here in the States, Yellowstone is a prime example. I am not saying an image made just outside the park is better than on inside the park.

 

The point is disclosure, say what you did. This is common with birds, phenomenal images of raptors involve bait. Not judging to be wrong, but would be nice to disclose or at least, give the information if asked. The point is not making a false impression. I am familiar enough with raptors and know how the image was made, no need to tell me. Still appreciate the image in every way and my complements go to the photographer.

 

This is one of those never ending discussions, ironically very simple. Just use common sense.

 

al

 

Hi Sebastian,

 

1) This has nothing to do with better or worse, it just about selecting the correct category. Nature for wildlife and everyday for captive animals.

 

2) This is a difficult area and has to be decided from case to case. If the animal is in a cage or relative small area the category should be everyday. The best thing is to leave a comment explaining how and where the photo was taken and if bait was used. If in doubt, choose the everyday category.

 

Good light, Ralf

 

Hi Sebastian,

in Africa there are many parks, an reserve, those are conservation area, where wildlife is totaly free to come in and out, no fence on the border, and they are not feeded by humans, it is stricly forbidden, dimensions of this area are like an Italy region sometimes.

Also Bayerischer is a park, but, there are fences that divide wolf from linx etc. and animal are feeded by human, beautiful images comes from Bayerischer, but you can easy recognize where they come from due to the wolf dimension.

Try to take a picture of a wolf in the wild, you need to be very lucky! ;-)

Ciao

Max

Hi Massimo,

 

I totally agree with you!

 

Cheers

 

Sebastian