Landscape photographers often replace skies in their photos to improve their image. Macro photographers photos stack images to produce clear sharp pictures. Wedding photographers take a number of group photos and then use bits of all photos taken to ensure everybody in the group has their eyes open, nice smile, etc.etc. Digital photography has made this easier, particularly with the choices of post processing software such as Photoshop. When I joined Birdlife Photography last month, I raised the question of changing photos with Georgina Steytler, not wanting to submit a photo that would be considered "illegal" in the terms of what Birdlife Photography (BLP) would expect, seeing photos are used for archival purposes amongst other things. Georgina is taking this up with the BLP committee and suggested that i raise it at this forum and open it up for discussion.
Here are the questions I have asked Georgina and I have included a photographic example of each. (It should be noted that none of the photos I have submitted in competition or to any of the galleries have include these techniques).
1. Completely changing the background to get rid of the clutter of twigs, dead leaves, etc. that cannot be removed and replacing it with a background that looks more pleasing and brings out the colours in the bird. (See the example photo 1 of an Adelaide Rosella)
2. Combining two photos to improve the depth of field when more than one bird is involved. Wide apertures are great to help blur the background and increase shutter speed, but it usually means that a second bird in the photo is out of focus. So I usually take a number of photos focusing on each bird and then sort of "focus stack" the two best together to make one photo where both birds are sharp. (See example photo 2 - Emus)
3. Combining two photos to make one. Different to the above as the birds were never together but taken in the same vicinity with the same lighting. I usually use this to show the male and female of the same species in one pleasing photo. (See example photo 3 - King Parrots)
4. Combining two or more photos of the same bird to create a more pleasing image. I like photos with more than one bird in it. I am often tempted to combine photos to achieve this. In example photo 4 of the Red Barred Finches, it is the same bird, sitting in the same spot but in three different stages of drinking water.
After looking at all these examples, I am interested in what peoples thoughts are regarding using these "manipulated" photos on the BLP site. In time I am sure Georgina will get back to me, in the meantime I am interested in other people's thoughts.