4 Years on TN but the joy is almost gone

Critiques [Translate]

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• horia (14900)
• [2008-07-25 2:02]

Hi Gert

It's a very sad moment to hear you are departing from us :((
You (like Howard) have been here ever since i've joined and i've always been looking up at your work...your photos but also way of presenting them (with proper notes) have always been an inspiration to me.

4 years is indeed a long time and i can see why the thrill might have lost some intensity; it's hard to keep up the same rhythm all the time.
I wish you only the best with your doctor's work and i hope your will one again be healthy, so that you can enjoy life and nature as you want. I also hope that you will be fit by the time we will have that meeting and that you'll change your mind and join us :)

As for this lovely macro...it's simply perfect for the occasion.
4 beautiful fritillaries shown with impeccable details and incredible DOF...it still amazes me to see all of them in such great focus.
That aside, the 4 distinct poses allow us to explore this species from all these different angles, a rare advantage in photography.
Spot-on exposure, great clarity (for a handheld macro at only 1/250) and charming colors everywhere.

BRAVO, TFS and again thank you for all you did for TN
Horia

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• betsie (0)
• [2008-07-25 2:21]
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• uleko (2787)
• [2008-07-25 3:07]

Hej Gert!
Congratulations and I'm really glad that you posted in spite of all sad events! This capture is absolutely fabulous! We haven't seen many of this species here at all this summer, presumably due to the drought we've had down here. They are gorgeous butterflies and all sharply in focus. Their beautiful colours stand out so nicely on the white flower - they look less impressive on the Buddleia.
There's a real witch-hunt going on here, (from all parts!!) I never thought this would happen on this site! I refuse to give in to the negative forces at work here!! I hope you remain too!
All the best wishes, Ulla

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• Argus (34981)
• [2008-07-25 4:01]

Hej Gert,
Congratulations on your four years on TN!
It is a pity that it coincides with the trouble that has come up on TN owing to some people breaking the rules and all the arguements that followed.
I like this site not only because we can enjoy fine images such this one of four male Silver-washed fritillaries but because I have been able to improve my own photography, learn from others about it, learna about nature in other places and give some people the benefit of my many years of experience of fauna and flora. I intend to stay but have taken a pause in posting images just now.
I understand you leaving TN at present, but I hope you are doing what Howard Cheek is doing: taking a break to return later when this has blown over. I also hope that the surgery you are to have will be successful and that you can continue to enjoy your photography.
Now to this image: the DOF and sharpness is very impressive and it also impresses me to see four of these butterflies together. Here in Åhus I have only seen one female this year, perhaps due to the violets (värdväxt) withering away during the dry May so the caterpillars died of starvation.
Thanks for this and your wonderful contributions to this site.
All the best my friend,
Hälsningar,
Ivan

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• sandpiper2 (14113)
• [2008-07-25 4:26]

Hi Gert

Sorry to hear you taking a break. I seem to have missed what all the fuss is about, I've been away a week. Oh well I really hope you come back soon and that the operation is successful.
You have been an inspiration to me and the main person behind my getting back into photography. I will miss your work very much.

Best wishes and hope all goes well.
Chris

PS. The shot is exceptionally brilliant. All 4 butterflies in perfect sharpness; what more could you ask for. A truely excellent shot from the Master.

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• anel (15686)
• [2008-07-25 5:31]

Hello Ellis,
Really a big luck to have seen four on one flower! And congratulations for your 4 years on TN. We all know how many excellent posting you brought on this site, even if we don't always comment the pictures.
Si I just hope that you will find a flower with five butterflies, so You have to stay on TN to show them to us!
Un grand merci
Anne

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• vanderschelden (30145)
• [2008-07-25 7:56]

Hello Gert,
It is nicely done. Very good DOF and POV.
The image has more or less three colours which is very effective image-wise. That's also why I should have cloned the purple flower to the right?
A beautiful image though.
Well done
TFS
Annick

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• loot (10029)
• [2008-07-25 8:50]
• [3]

Hi Gert

You see the symbolism in the four butterflies as reflective of your 4 years on this site and that is a beautiful association. This was an opportune moment to capture a wonderful image to celebrate your 4 years on the site. I also see this as symbolic of the diverse society we represent here on the site. A formidable family who are joined together through our profound love of nature, photography, and ultimately one another. The 4 identical butterflies sitting on 4 different quadrants of the same flower embody all our members who originate from every corner of our world. However equal we are, as much diversity we also represent. This is what makes this site so great. As a collective force we form a formidable entity in experience, knowledge, insight and awareness of nature (and photography), while at the same time we also form a large contingent of walking-talking educators, mentors, or guides to benefit our societies and teach people about the wonders of nature.

We have so much to offer each other here on the site and you my friend are by far one of the greatest contributors to this site over the years. The immense benefit and sheer weight of your contributions are immeasurable. How do one quantify the years of unselfish sharing of knowledge, experience, friendship and motivation? My bet is that we will still see you here for a long time. Yes, it might be on and off, but this is in your blood. The people of this society are part of your being. Your photography has become a way of live, its long time past being a hobby only. I want to echo what Anne Gattlen said above: "I just hope that you will find a flower with five butterflies, so You have to stay on TN to show them to us".

Congratulations on the 4 years and cheers for many to come. So long my friend.

Best regards
Loot

PS1. And as far as the meeting with the doctor and his knife…I sincerely hope that this time it is a 100% success. I and many other members on the site will be thinking about you and carry you in our prayers.

PS2. I know you don't want points anymore, but for this one I would give my whole day's quota (with a warm heart) if only I could.

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• nglen (32138)
• [2008-07-25 8:58]

Hello Gert. Many congratulationson 4 years on this wonderful site. I hope you will not leave for good but just take a rest . You have always given me somthing to go for seeing your pictures. This one is a beautiful oicture with the four butterflies. Such detail and rich colours . a very nice compostion. and well taken . TFS.
Nick..
Hope to see you soon.

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• eqshannon (27911)
• [2008-07-25 9:45]

We must salvage what we have here Gert. I do not want to be labeled...I never liked labels...and hence I have decided that even though I may disagree with certain issues....photography is my love. And speaking of photography....why in the world would you get all of these beauties to come together? Did you use more than a flora for an attractant!? I am certain that the patterns of living creatures combined with the intricate patterns of the flower are among the nicest I have seen in a long time...You see? Sometimes deep inner feelings...those ones which we at times reject...such as hate and ill will and certain forms of sadness and sometimes depravity....those are at times the things and feelings which bring out the absolute best in genuine artists....which is more than likely why I shall die with a name alone...no money, nor riches in tangibles, nor real estate...but rich in friendships and the good things which I feel I have done and shall continue to do for any who cares...
Bob

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• jaycee (21912)
• [2008-07-25 10:15]

Hi Gert,

Congratulations on your four years on TN. Perhaps you will change your mind as I do and rethink your position.

How wonderful to find four beautiful butterflies on one bush. Another perfect picture and a thing of beauty.

I hope you will be back for the next four years and beyond.

Jane

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• maurydv (16502)
• [2008-07-25 11:32]

Ciao Gert,
congratulazioni per i quattro anni su TN, che festeggi con una spettacolare e simbolica immagine, che ritengo di una freschezza e bellezza uniche per cui la metto tra le mie favorite.
Grazie e complimenti
Maurizio

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• claudine (0)
• [2008-07-25 13:57]

Hi Gert,
This is such a beautiful and symbolic capture! What a great picture with those four beauties all in focus! This is not an easy shot to do and you realized it perfectly with excellent details, exposure, colors, etc. Congratulations! Yes, TN has changed a lot recently and I don't understand what is happening right now, this is nonsense to me. Thanks and keep well,
Claudine

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• CatherineD (6663)
• [2008-07-25 14:44]

Congratulations Gert for this exceptionnel photo. Such photo shows me the way to improve my skill and to learn for others TN people. I understand your decision but I hope you will come back soon or later, like the butterflies...
About this symbolic photo, I really appreciate the DOF and the colours. The composition is also great. I wish you a quick recovery and to continue to find joy in photography, even if you don't share it with us.
Warm regards,
Catherine

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• haraprasan (17792)
• [2008-07-25 22:08]

Hi Gert,
CONGRATULATIONS on your 4th Anniversary. A lovely capture of these beautiful fritillaries on single frame. Very well timed with sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

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• cloud (4689)
• [2008-07-26 0:26]

Hello Gert,
Such butterfly I met when stayed by the lake only it just fly away. It was very large and beautiful. On your photo You have excellent group. You have luck.
Best regards, Pawel

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• janhendrik (2386)
• [2008-07-26 2:48]

Great picture, don't go!

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• Shoot_Score (2370)
• [2008-07-27 22:49]
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• pilonm (2919)
• [2008-07-29 9:21]

Hello Gert,

I was away from TN for months and just came back recently. So I didn't realize yet all those changes on TN. Will see.....

You posted today a great picture to celebrate this 4th year of membership. I like the fact that you present each one representing one full year here. Great idea!

The colors, dof, exposition and POV are all well mastered here!

Congratulations and TFS!

Michel

PS. Good luck with the surgery!

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• ralfsworld (6266)
• [2008-07-30 4:54]

Hej Gert
Hade vägarna förbi och tänkte önska dig allt bäst med din operation. Jag kommer snart hem tillbaka från resan och har en del nya bilder.
Hälsningar från Kuala Lumpur
Ralf

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• marhowie (302)
• [2008-08-01 2:07]

Hi Gert,
Just to get you the facts & all the facts, I was never suspended from TN.
I was aware of their rules & refrained from the "PT" thing. I just had the misfortune of doing a couple of the "naughties" the same week it all went down.
The fact is I've always thought of TN as my home. It's where my love of photography was born..
I've left TN for several reasons, that I do not need to enumerate here. Needless to say there are plenty of other forums out there that will do do the same thing...and better.
F/13 pulled em' in nicely!!
Always your friend,
Howard
PS I got my new 300mmf/2.8 yesterday :)

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• bobcat08 (1431)
• [2008-08-02 3:10]

Hello Gert,

I say a few words to you.

Thanks for everything and "SO LONG" my friend.

I will miss your beautiful entries.

Regards Bob

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• liziafa (1231)
• [2008-08-13 11:57]

Hi Gert,
Very interesting display :)
Good job!
TSF Malgosia

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• Juyona (15565)
• [2008-08-13 13:35]

Hello friend,
surprising work,
color and wonderful details,
environment and deluxe realization.
congratulation 4 years making friends...
regards Gert and Siv.

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• Alex99 (18531)
• [2008-08-23 2:52]

Hi, dear Gert.
I am very touched by your thoughts and picture. Both are full of content and fine. I hope you will be here with all your numerous friends and admirers many years.

Fantastic in all respects shot. Pictured scene is unbelievable. All butterflies and flowers as well as the BG are great. POV and DOF are outstanding. Main subject stands out of BG perfectly. Terrific lights, amazing colours and stunning details of the insects and tiny flowers. BG is blurred masterfully. Bravo and my heartfelt congratulations.
Alexei.

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• goldyrs (9269)
• [2008-08-23 21:07]

Please come back, Gert!
We need you, we need to learn a lot from you!
Goldy

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• meyerd (5360)
• [2008-10-06 13:38]

Hi Gert,
I know I am late, lazy and all, so late that I did'nt even get the discussion and accusations about cookie points and religion. Let me tell you only this now: guys like you, Howard, Loot, Bob, Ivan, Peter and many others are what makes TN great. Since you invested so much in others (like in me) you got much recognition. People add points because the system allows it, as a sign of friendliness and greeting. We all mostly grown-up people on TN, but if some others like to hunt for good grades, let them hunt.

As a sign of recognition for your incredibly good shot of 4 fritillaries I humbly add 2 cookie points, let the purists fume over it. I hope you come back, I promise to be more attentive too!

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• Janice (18648)
• [2008-10-17 2:00]

Hi Gert,
I missed this one of yours.
It's a beautiful image - with all those butterflies together... they stand out so well on the white flower.
Missing you here
Janice

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• Silvio2006 (41320)
• [2008-10-17 6:00]

Ciao Gert, four splendid butterflies for your fantastic four years on TN, superb macro with fantastic colors, fine details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
PS my english is very poor and bad and i wish that you don't leave us, too much old friends go away from TN, I'm very sad for that, I hope that you soon return with us:)

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• Wolfpower (974)
• [2008-10-25 18:16]

Hello Gert

A beautiful image that represents 4 years of amazing input here on TN.
I have seen your work for the better part of the past 3 years and it is always impeccable.
This shot is tack sharp,no easy feat with butterflies that tend to flutter their wings,it is difficult to shoot one let alone 4.
Excellent use of the light,the colours are vivid and well saturated.
A beautiful composition.
I know intimately of the chaos you refer to and I agree a part of the TN innocence has been lost.
Their is an old saying that time heals old wounds.
TFS

Wolf

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• fragman (17609)
• [2008-10-27 9:27]

nice quartet, TFS Ori