Country file calendar winner

[burton_ii]

Anyone else feel some what cheated by tonights winner?

Admittedly I didn't enter this year but still bothered me!

[C0ffin D0dger]

Yeah, the wife and I were watching that and both commented that it really wasn't in the spirit of the competition. I know they do stuff like that for nature programs but for an amateur photography competition it's not really fair?

I'd expect all the photos to have been taken in nature, not in a studio with a load of performing harvest mice. They even demonstrated how relatively easy it would have been to get the shot in those conditions.

[malks222]

absolutely!!!! when they turned up and showed the mice in the conservatory, I thought- really?!? they’ve picked a completely set up shot like that as a winner of a wildlife competition.

as you also said, once they recreated it, it took about 3minutes to get the same shot again?!?

[Vintage Racer]

This shot is completely against the 'spirit' of the competition and does not send a good message to any youngsters, who may now think that it is perfectly ok to take creatures from the wild.

They had thousands of fantastic natural shots to choose from, which were responsibly taken in the wild/garden and by entrants of all ages, with all types of camera. It's a complete disgrace in my opinion, that they should choose to 'endorse' the practice of using wild creatures as 'models'.

I spend many hours photographing wildlife in their natural habitat, either from my hide, or as 'opportunistic' shots. I always work within 'standards of care' of my subjects and ensure that they are not disturbed by my presence, or photographic techniques.

The shot may well have been within their 'rules', but it clearly shows that their 'rules' are poorly thought out, with little regard to the wildlife of the UK.

Edited by Vintage Racer on Monday 30th September 14:09

[Lynchie999]

just took a look ... the offending image...

Yes, I agree with the above... (but will they overturn a public vote ? )

Its not even that good...

[rossub]

Annoyed me too. Ok, it's creative - but agree with the above that it's supposed to be about catching something in a moment that's not possible to stage in advance by human hand.

If enough people complained, they'd think twice next year.

[eltawater]

It's just one step away from using a stuffed animal, the end result is the same as it's not in the spirit of the competition.

[Lynchie999]

... seen on twitter earlier people are complaining and taking the mick ...

https://twitter.com/MissLouiseMcnu1/status/1178976...

[Skyedriver]

Just shown this to my wife who bought a couple of their calendars last year as Christmas presents

Her comment "well I won't be buying any of their calendars this year".

[eein]

Their calendar has been poor for a few years. They are a good example of the difference between 'taking pictures' and 'photography'.

[Tycho]

Lynchie999 said:

... seen on twitter earlier people are complaining and taking the mick ...

https://twitter.com/MissLouiseMcnu1/status/1178976...

https://twitter.com/DorstoneTom/status/1178378636560338944/photo/1