Kip’s Comments - December 10, 2023

Truth in Photography

Just for kicks and giggles I thought today I would share a couple of photos that illustrate how what we see might not have been reality, or was it? This afternoon I photographed this American red squirrel staring at me from a branch somewhat in a clearing. From this vantage point the squirrel easily became the main subject of the image with minimal distractions.

American Red Squirrel - Image 859543

Even though the image file decently shows the squirrel, the out of focus branch in the background is a distraction. With minimal editing I removed that branch, as seen here.

American Red Squirrel - Image 859543 (branch removed)

Is the edited picture accurate? Does the branch behind the squirrel matter? Since I explained the photo has been manipulated, is the picture still acceptable? We are not studying the background branch… should it stay? I don’t know that there is a right or wrong answer. Perhaps that decision is best left to each viewer.

Later the little squirrel provided a second photo-opportunity. This time the clutter around the squirrel was so close that it became an unacceptable distraction. For that reason, I am showing you only for a visual explanation.

American Red Squirrel - Image 859586

This image had no editing. I found a field where a considerable number of trumpeter swans have been gathering. This was only a small portion of the many swans. As you can see in the photo, the birds were a long distance out in the field.

Trumpeter Swans in Field - Image 859510