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by **Greg B** on Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:20 am

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.ph ... 0-tree.inc

Just because we love interesting photos - this one from Billings, Montana

by **Onyx** on Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:54 am

That's unreal. I thought it had been taken with IR filter at first. White trees - who woulda thunk it?

by **Raydar** on Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:22 pm

What an awesome shot!!!!! :shock:

A lot of thought went into that image & it payed off for the photographer in a big way

Cheers
Ray

by **the foto fanatic** on Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:55 pm

Thanx for posting Greg - it is interesting indeed.

Boy, you sure take your news seriously - subscribing to the Billings Gazette :lol:

by **Matt. K** on Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:19 pm

We will never know just how much Photoshop work was done to that image and how different it may be from the out of camera version.

by **Manta** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:54 am

I have no idea of the true origin of this photo and don't wish to pass any judgment on the integrity of the source but I'd have to say I agree with MattK on this one. I know certain conditions coupled with various gadgetry and nifty bits of kit can produce some stunning effects but I have also developed a healthy scepticism for all things pictorial over the past few years.

Personally, I think it's a great pic regardless of how it came into this world and it has certainly generated much interest and discussion - isn't that what every photographer or artist strives for? - but it and countless other photos showing surreal vistas also raise questions. While Photoshop and programs of its ilk have provided immeasurable benefits to the graphics community, they have also heralded an era wherein none of us can really 'believe it when we see it'.

Just me thinking out loud...

by **lukeo** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:02 am

At what point does photography cross the line and become art? That has had some serious work done to it. However it doesnt detract from the fact it a marvelous shot.

by **Manta** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:05 am

yraen69 wrote:At what point does photography cross the line and become art?

Fair point yraen. And at what stage does it really matter? Only if someone is trying to pass off a manufactured image as real I suppose. For all other instances I guess we just sit back and enjoy the show.

by **Greg B** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:58 am

I am not so sure that the shot has had serious work done to it. The text states that the town in the background uses sodium lights, and I assume the colour temperature of these gives an orange cast. The tree is covered in ice, the photog has used a flash. So the white balance on the tree is "normal", the backgound is effected by the lights.

Isn't it possible that it is just an example of what happens when you have different colour temp light sources in the one photo? That was my impression, it is what the text pretty much says, and although I have no doubt that the press may not always be accurate, this is just an interest photo in the Billings Gazette - I can't see whay they would doctor it and the provide misleading notes.

by **Manta** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:20 am

Greg B wrote:I can't see whay they would doctor it and the provide misleading notes.

I couldn't agree more Greg. The notes provided certainly give a very plausible explanation for the eerie effect. My point was merely that, whilst this photo is most likely the real deal, not all images that appear in our media are fair dinkum and, because of that, consumers/readers/viewers can sometimes be duped.
Case in point: the was an email that went around some time ago showing supposed "Photos of the Year". One of these alleged eye-witness photos titled "Fire Starter" showed a large lightning strike in bushland that was supposedly the cause of the tragic fires in Canberra. I've got the same "lightning strike" in some of my own "photos" as it is one of effects available in Ulead's "PhotoImpact" editing program. Many of my workmates were fascinated by the photo - until I showed them how it was done. :oops:

I also want to say thanks for bringing this photo to our attention. I think it's great. Regrettably, I cancelled my subscription to the Billings Gazette some years back after they ran a Christmas Bumper Issue on Holiday Alien Abductions .... :wink:

by **Greg B** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:43 am

I am with you 100% Manta. In fact, the deceitful nature of photographic manipulation - for example in the area of making models' legs longer, removing all imperfections, and generally ensuring that women (and men) are unhappy with their self image (this is one of my pet peeves) - is a disgrace.

Ditto when talented scoundrels put the heads of the famous on the bodies of the naked, although at least that is amusing.

Your example about the fire starter is well made. I tend to believe nothing of what I see, hear or read. :lol:

And don't even get me started on current affairs programs on commercial channels!!!!!

I have gone off on a tangent.

by **Greg B** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:47 am

Manta wrote:I also want to say thanks for bringing this photo to our attention. I think it's great. Regrettably, I cancelled my subscription to the Billings Gazette some years back after they ran a Christmas Bumper Issue on Holiday Alien Abductions ....

Yes, the Billings Gazette is a fine journal :lol:

I get lots of stuff from here...

http://www.fark.com/

including the subject photo, and one of clouds I linked to a few weeks ago. I commend the site, very amusing, great links every day, lots of interesting stuff, and the guy that makes the comment about each link is very amusing.

by **sirhc55** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:10 pm

A very interesting photo - I have looked at this in PS and there is a certain amount of fringing that suggests this might be a composite. The trunk is bare as is the ground plus the tree is too completely covered - I don’t know the answer but my own experience of frost does not compute with this photo IMO - on the other hand I could be 100% wrong.

Keep them coming - I love detective work :wink:

Chris

by **Manta** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:19 pm

Greg B wrote:Ditto when talented scoundrels put the heads of the famous on the bodies of the naked, although at least that is amusing.

Oh I know! I am so sick of seeing Brad Pitt's head on MY body in all those magazine photos!!! I didn't mind body-doubling for him in "Troy" but please, enough's enough!! :wink:

by **Greg B** on Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:28 pm

Manta wrote:
Greg B wrote:Ditto when talented scoundrels put the heads of the famous on the bodies of the naked, although at least that is amusing.

Oh I know! I am so sick of seeing Brad Pitt's head on MY body in all those magazine photos!!! I didn't mind body-doubling for him in "Troy" but please, enough's enough!!

Love your work Manta :lol: