Re: AGA CONTEST - Digest V1 #159 - Karen's Comments on Fakes

["David A. Youngker" <nestor10@mindspring.com>]

> ...As with "photo" backgrounds, I strongly believe that how it
> should be handled should depend on presentation.  If the
> "fake" is done so carefully that it can't be detected by the judges,
> then what difference does it really make...If we're talking about
> a photo background, does it add or detract from the overall look
> of the tank?  I the case of entry #4, IMO it was distracting and
> lessened the impact of the aquascape.  I marked it accordingly.
> Others disagreed, and marked it accordingly.  If this wasn't
> subjective, we wouldn't need judges at all.<g>

Ah, see - the perfect illustration in action.

OK, OK - I was fooled by this one, and after reading Karen's comments I had
to go back and look again. Even on my own 17" monitor it wasn't until I
picked up on the visual cue presented by the placement of the power filter
in the second photo that I could see what she was referring to...

I *do* have photographic experience and *was* taken in by this one anyway.
It wasn't until I was jarred into looking to separate the tank from the
background that I picked up on the presence of a *photo background*.
(Gee, I don't think I'll mention which judge it was that lusted after the
"rock" in the background - especially since it now appears as a driftwood
arrangement within the photo BG!)

So, I'm afraid I have to sheepishly throw my hat into the "handle it if it's
obvious, don't sweat it too much if it's not" ring - an *intentionally*
doctored photo may have every chance of being fully accepted without
anyone's knowledge.

-Y-

David A. Youngker
nestor10@mindspring.com
http://www.mindspring.com/~nestor10


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