Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/03/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mads, Sorry, but this is a real and unmerged image. What you see was there as it was, whatever feeling that might evoke. I removed the mast on this shot though: http://www.fullflavor.be/ photography/HMSWM/slides/HMSWM2.html because it bothered the image. Some buildings in the background were removed, too. About the WM: I wrongly (but with a certain logic) assumed that it was an abbreviation of HMS Westminster, as the frigat is called. The helicopter is a Merlin indeed. I read it replaced the Sea King, a helicopter still flying in our own army. A shot from somebody else: www.havengore.com/HMSWestminster.jpg. The pole is there. Maybe it is removed pre take-off? Now about the merging thing: you make it sound as if I'm tampering. I have repeatedly stated that I postprocess my images in PS, because I consider myself more as a 'maker' than as a 'taker'. This can involve changing color, contrast, taking things out, changing or adding grain, dodging and buring, moving things slightly, ... On some very rare occasions it means adding things that were not there. And if I do the latter, I always mention it. Long threads have been written about this methodology/my and others standpoint: a minority on this list is pro. As I walk around and visualise things while shooting, I very often decide to modify an image in PS because I think it will make it more as what I see in my head. I call it 'boosting an image'. More even, sometimes I just construct images photographically. And I do not have a problem with that, not considering myself a reporter. Does that make me a great photographer? I don't know, and honestly, I don't really mind. I just want to make images that have a certain stopping power with people, and I love to use the camera as the tool to make them. Do I need a Leica for that? Since it's a great tool, I think so, yes. But it is not the only camera that I use. As I also mention when posting. Finally, about truth in photography: since its early beginnings, this is an ongoing theme in this discipline. One can even wonder if truth really exists. But that is another story. I hope this clears some things out. Also: a big thank you to everybody that commented on this image. Sometimes you try to tell a story without too many words, and it is a real pleasure to see that some saw in it what I had in mind. Philippe Op 30-mrt-06, om 08:12 heeft Mads Christensen het volgende geschreven: > Sorry for being a bit late but I am on the LUG digest only. > > > > I have two comments: > > > > 1) WM = A helicopter named Merlin, manufactured by Agusta Westland > Helicopters Ltd., Yeovil, England. > > > > 2) I am absolutely sure that there are no masts w/o the Royal Navy > flag that > close to the helicopter pad on a navy vessel - as seen on HMSWM2. > > > > ..so I am afraid that Philippe has been merging images - again. > > > > > > Best regards > > > > Mads > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >