The Last One

Critiques [Translate]

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• Luis52 (12751)
• [2009-04-15 9:11]

Hola Gert.
It is really sad for me to read Your note here, I must admit that You and some others great members who already gone, were my teachers and my inspiration to be a photographer, but I also must admit You are right in what is going on here.

I will miss Your great photos and notes.
Many thanks for being My friend for this past years, and I hope to find You in some other good photo place.

Luis Leal.

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• horia (14870)
• [2009-04-15 9:19]

Hi Gret

I completely agree with you, my friend!
It has been exactly what you say in your note and it's shameful...nowadays you hardly learn anything from here :(
It's also a bit shame to see you go...i will miss you (even if in the past few months i haven't posted here much). If you decide to create your own site or join a public place to post some new photos of your, please let me know as i would love to see what you come up with next.
Until then, it was a huge pleasure meeting and learning from you, my friend!
Take care and thanks for sharing everything
Horia

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• lousat (19222)
• [2009-04-15 9:26]

Hi Gert,i can't comment your choice and i respect that. Just my last thanks for your work on TN and for your magic gallery! And if you change idea...we're always waiting you!!!Good luck my friend,Luciano.

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• zetu (6085)
• [2009-04-15 10:06]

Hello Gert
Excellent capture with great details, good light and beautiful natural colors.
Regards
Razvan

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• billynewboy (694)
• [2009-04-15 10:16]

Hello Gert
I agree with you that the site has become more about points and not about learning.
I feel lucky that I joined the site a couple of years ago (under a different name) and have had the luck to have met up with young Joe, Horia, Necipp, Nick Glen, Paul H all of who I have learnt massive amounts from and every time I pick up my camera I look at my subject in different way as well as teasing the best out of my equipment.
I hope I have shared some of the knowledge I have learnt with others and always try to do so.
It does seem the the joy of learning about nature and photography seems to have been lost from the site.
I havent really had a chance to appreciate your work Gert which is to me an opportunity missed.
I wish you all the best in your achievements and hope you find a new avenue to showcase your work.
My Best Regards
Billy

And as for this picture which is superb you demonstrate the patience needed to achieve results in nature photography.

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• cataclysta (5440)
• [2009-04-15 11:15]

Hi Gert
Another sad news. You are also living TN. I hope that is is not for ever.
I like this shot very much. Nice POV, good blured background. Also nice set of colors vivid red vs delicate background.
Very best wishes from Poland
Krzysztof

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• PeterZ (17102)
• [2009-04-15 11:52]

Hello Gert,
What a disappointment! You are leaving us. It's very sad. You are the favorite of 360!! members. You are one the few real masters who left. Okay, I miss the technical advises and comments too, but when people like you are leaving us, who had to give the advises then?
I want to thank you for all you learned me and the joy I had to look at all your beautiful photos, like this one.
Hope to see you again,
Peter

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• PaulH (12949)
• [2009-04-15 12:39]

Hi Gert,
indeed what you say is sadly true..TrekNature has become alot like TrekLens. I have learnt so much about nature and who to capture it from people like yourself, but i respect uyour decision. All the best for the future.
Paul

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• jaycee (21912)
• [2009-04-15 12:50]

Hi Gert,

What is there to say? I for one will truly miss you, your pictures, and your helpful critiques. This Woodpecker is beautiful with your always wonderful colors, details, setting and composition. It's rare to see a woodpecker looking away from a tree! Take care.

Jane

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• matatur (4384)
• [2009-04-15 14:10]

A pity Gert, if you are not joking and this really is your last post in TN, even the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker looks back in a way almost questioning your decision, which, after carefully reading your notes, now does not seem so far-flung after all. On the other hand, your present post surely is a beauty in simplicity, the sharply focused and finely exposed bird poses quite nicely on a natural looking, lichen covered branch against a no-nonsense, blurry BG which does not dilute one's attention. This IS a good job my friend!
Mehmet

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• LordPotty (12033)
• [2009-04-15 19:04]

Hi Gert,
I'm glad you finally managed to get a good shot of this elusive Woodpecker,and a great one it is too.
Even though the black and white patterns are striking and quite eye-catching,they still probably make quite a good caouflage against silver birch covered in lichen.
It was a bit sad to read that you are leaving,but I do understand why.
Trek Nature isn't what it used to be in the early days.
There seem to be more and more photos of cultivated farmland,cultivated flowers and shots with buildings in them now,and a lot more really poor photos being posted.
There are still some good photographers and srious naturalists here too though,so I'll stick around for a bit.
Keep in touch won't you.
Cheers & all the best,
Steve

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• red45 (30219)
• [2009-04-15 22:29]

Hi Gert!

This is very sad news. But unfortunatelly you're right - TN became place to show photos and not much more. Looks like spirit gone. Still there are members who write good comments and try to post interesting pictures, but most people don't. I hope you'll send us a message about your new site - I'll be very glad to see your new pictures. Good luck old friend!

BTW - this woodpecker looks great!

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• cloud (4624)
• [2009-04-15 23:34]

Hello Gert,
Next excellent shot, joyful pose, perfect sharpness and BG.
Best regards, Pawel

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• goutham_ramesh (10360)
• [2009-04-16 1:17]

Gert, this is a picture with loads of details on the bird as well as on the branch! As usual the picture is pleasant to watch. on the nit side i feel the bird is bit in the center.

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• lsprasath (219)
• [2009-04-16 9:55]

Hello Gert, Trust me its just 3 months for me here and I already started feeling that the whole purpose is getting defeated here because of interest in collecting points rather than giving useful suggestions. I was so happy when you commented on my picture and suggested an improvement. It was just then when I was talking to my friend how this forum is not as useful as I thought of. And I see I am already going to miss that one person who was interested in knowledge than points here.

I totally respect your decision but I would really thank you if you can still take some time of yours to provide suggestions/feedbacks to new learners like me here. We were not so lucky enough to join this forum couple of years back :(

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• gannu (14687)
• [2009-04-16 10:06]

Gert, I agree with you. Unfrotunately it has become a region of collection here. Moreover the recent misunderstanding made many belive on self assessment. Moreover the copy right also created problem. But I believe those who want to learn will still remain here. ganesh

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• Alex99 (18399)
• [2009-04-16 11:02]

Ah, dear Gert.
What can I say? You are right, of course. But why do I feel myself very badly when I am reading your words? I think it is due the loss of the once more dear for my heart friend. However, we will be together at least in my heart and in my heart. Thanks for all your amazing shots and advises, for your talent and heartiness. As usual your three-dimensional shot is fantastic, its colours are the cleanest and details are extremely sharp. My heartfelt wishes and all the best.
Yours Alexei.

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• Miss_Piggy (6974)
• [2009-04-17 0:07]

Hallo Gert
You managed to capture this lovely Woodpecker in a great back view pose, showing all its beautiful plumage to its best. An overall "pretty" photograph with perfect details captured. Good focus and good sharpness. Proof of your great photographic skills is in the way you've captured the fine feathers around the face. Image presented in a delightful manner. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Anna
I for one will miss your great images, and I speak on behalf of Loot as well. You have always presented your postings in a perfect and delightful manner. You have been an inspiration for me, and I'll miss your presence on the site, but I respect your decision.

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• Noisette (3717)
• [2009-04-17 6:16]

Hello Gert
It is sad that you are leaving TN, i am a new member, i have a many to learn and i can only from masters as you, but the best photographers are going one after the other
Your picture is one of the perfect shot who gives us a great lesson of photography
Thanks for your critiques on my pictures and all the rest
Jacqueline

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• eqshannon (27821)
• [2009-04-18 19:22]

I feel as though I saw this coming...as it has with many others like the tide...

“Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.”

You are a fine, upstanding gentleman with a fantastic creative genius. I wish you the very best in all of your new and certainly exciting adventures......may you be Blessed!
Bob

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• goldyrs (9073)
• [2009-05-10 8:05]

A sharp shot, thats so beautifully composed...Yes, its been a long time Gert..
Hope all is well.
Cheers!
Goldy

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• pvs (13835)
• [2009-05-20 7:40]

Hi Gert,

While I was surfing what I missed the last months,I saw that you will stop as well, a pity as you always have nice and good pictures,I can understand your feelings about the site,but as things grow bigger they not always become better,I still enjoy this site and the pictures that are shown and a bonus if someone wants to give good advice is off course always welcome,thanks for your input and the critics you have given me during the last years,hope to see you back here or evt another site,thanks

Paul

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• jconceicao (2431)
• [2009-06-28 9:35]

Hello Gert,

Superb picture.
Beautiful colours with great definition.
Light,focus and sharpness are splendid.
Good note.

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• jignasi (14389)
• [2009-08-02 0:21]

Felicidades por esta nueva y bella captura. Hay dos puntos clave que sobresalen, el primero y especialmente es el perfecto enfoque a la cabeza del ave y también el extraordinario encuadre que has realizado.
Un abrazo Gert: Josep Ignasi.

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• marhowie (232)
• [2009-09-03 5:10]

Excellent parting shot Gert. Very beautiful.
I know what you mean about the site..
I see you've got a 300mm prime, it's a superb lens.
Very bright & sharp.
All the best,
Howard

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• roges (2922)
• [2009-09-30 7:27]

Hi Gert,

Excellent makro. Vackra färger och kontrast.
En trevlig dag,
Adrian

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• anel (15342)
• [2009-10-08 5:19]

Hello Gert,
Thanks for your kind visit to my butterfly. I had missed this fine Woodpecker picture, one of my favourite bird. Like always composition, sharpness and presentation are excellent. I also like the subtle colors of the background.
Happy to realise that you came back after a break. Reading your note I must say that in some points you are right,but even if there are some negativ things on TN, the fact that good photographers stay on the site will for sure help to improve people who are willing to learn.
And in this sense I would like to thank you for your excellent contributions. And we never have finished to discover new things..
Kind regards
Anne

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• peter_stoeckl (10213)
• [2009-10-10 11:22]

Hi Gert,
a very lively capture, splendid light! Perfectly well balanced to creat lively tension - unmistakably your handwriting.
A touchingly symbolic picture of reviewing your tremendous input to this site for more than 5 years. I agree with you in your analysis of recent conditions, and I am feeling some fatigue myself. Having been a rather irregular contributor to this site since months due to other personal reasons such as a heavy workload in my job, I apologize for my late reaction to your posting. It coincides with gratefully noticing two fresh postings from you after a several months' break.
Thank you my friend. Good to sty in touch with you.
With best regards,
Peter

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• Silvio2006 (40477)
• [2009-10-12 7:04]

Ciao Gert, nice see you again on TN, this one is not the last one, glad for that my friend, lovely diagonal composition with beautiful bird in nice pose, perfect focus and splendid blurry BG, excellent sharpness and wonderful colors, very well done, have a good week, ciao Silvio

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• ingridshaul (211)
• [2009-10-20 9:53]

Dear Gert,
I am so glad, you changed your mind and exhibit again our work!

This is a very interesting photo. It actually looks a lot like the South African Cardinal Woodpecker, except in the local species only the male have a red crown.
Incidentally I read somewhere - not long ago - that woodpeckers have a specially cushioned brain, to protect them against concussion from constantly hitting the wood...
The focus of your image is perfect - showing the sharp nails and on the other hand the blurred background intensifying the brilliant colour of the crown.
A beautiful portrait of a woodpecker.

Have a nice evening
Kind regards
Ingrid