Something's missing

[PhoebeG]

Took this photo in Chicago yesterday, out enjoying a little bit of pre-spring weather. I got it home, cropped some distractions out, sharpened it a bit, and was sitting admiring my work when I realized that there was someting missing from the image.

I thought I had someting that I could add to my portfolio, now I don't know?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Phil

[EOSThree]

How about this? Quick and dirty but you get the idea.

[shootme]

Wow, super shot and great DoF. If the wing to my left was sharper a bit (maybe it's me) it would be spot on. What a catch well done. Looks like the little fella has only 1 leg??? Wonderful blue sky.

[Dubbs5050]

really nice shot ... the building in the back kind of makes me want more in the bottom left of the frame, but the simplicity of the background forces you to focus on the real beauty of the image. Oh, how I miss the early spring Chicago sun....although you know it wont be warm until May....

[shootme]

OES3, didn't see that well done, perfect.

[PhoebeG]

EOS three, nice job.

But is it "ethical"?

Phil

[EOSThree]

EOS three, nice job.

But is it "ethical"?

Phil

That's a tough question. I think in this case, where it's a clear defect, and an unnatural defect I think it's OK. I guess I am changing reality, but in this case reality isn't at all the norm.

At least I don't have a problem with it. Where do you draw the line? No post processing? Whitbal OK but nothing more? How much sharpening is OK? Curves, noise reduction, saturation, dodging, burning, exposure compensation, the list goes on.

I don't know exactly where to draw the line myself. I don't have a problem with this, but I don't like pasting a moon in a blank sky, or adding a fake sky to a crappy one, or adding a background, or adding an element that changes the photo. I don't think this does anything to change the photo, except for making what should have been how it should be. My reasoning, most seagulls have 2 legs, in fact this seagull is probably one of the few in the world that have only one leg. So I'm not trying to sell a photo of a two legged sea gull when most have one, I'm only correcting the very unusual. Man this is hard to explain.

[shootme]

I think it's OK to add as long as you mention that you did, at least when it's not obvious.

Actually maybe the seagull is looking down thinking where is my other leg???

[PhoebeG]

EOS three and shootme,

Great arguments! I'm not sure where the line is either, that's partly why I poseted. The other question in my mind is, wouldn't the picture be OK with a one legged gull?

Phil

[danny wdr]

Use the picture for inspiration......Even though we might not be perfect, there is beauty in all! Great shot!!!!! Who needs two legs when you have two wings anyway!

[shootme]

No problem with the shot with a gull with 1 leg. Actually it adds to the shot. Try going out to shoot a gull with 1 leg, bet you won't find many if any in the day.

[BlueRob]

Great catch! the posture is very nice and the light on the wing is the cherry on the cake.
BTW the second shot EOS managed shows well the way to go.

[chaman]

Use the picture for inspiration......Even though we might not be perfect, there is beauty in all! Great shot!!!!! Who needs two legs when you have two wings anyway!

Thats an excellent way of seeing it!:thumbsup: