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Forums · UKNP

One foot in the grave (c)

Discussion

13 replies
Posted by David Sewell on December 9, 2008 at 5:35 AM
I thought I would share one of my favourite pictures from the archives with you. This shot of a Glapagos Giant Tortoise was taken at the Charles Darwin Research Station when I visited in 2003. The original slide had always been a favourite, but I have to be the first to admit that it had quite a strong pink cast, and although the head was correctly exposed, the carapace was way over.

Thanks to Photoshop both colour cast and exposure can now be corrected fairly easily, and the scan is now much better than the original transparency ever was. OK, I know it still isn't the finest shot technically, but it reminds me of Victor Meldrew so much. It also makes a change from bird/mammal pictures!

Original taken with an Olympus OM2n using a 50mm f1.8 Zuiko using 200asa Fujichrome
Posted by Barrie Harwood on December 9, 2008 at 5:37 AM
Could use it for a 'Name that Mod' competition :smile:
Posted by John Chapman on December 9, 2008 at 5:40 AM
I am lost for words on this one David. :biggrin: :toast:
Posted by PhilH on December 9, 2008 at 7:14 AM
LoL great portrait and what an expression....

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Paul Inglis on December 9, 2008 at 7:18 AM
Hi David,

Awesome! Victor's keeping well then! :biggrin:
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Brett Lewis on December 9, 2008 at 7:33 AM
Self portrait David..? LOL!

I used to enjoy seeing this on your desktop in the office.. Made me smile then and still does.. Nicely captured moment in the long life of this fantastic animal.

Brett :razz: :biggrin:
Posted by John Robinson on December 9, 2008 at 8:47 AM
I,m envious !
JohnR
Posted by Ray on December 9, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Looks like some of my colleagues here at work.

A really nice portrait, it works really well, no crit’s.
Posted by David Sewell on December 9, 2008 at 10:38 AM
How could I have posted this without removing that black line at the top(the edge of the transparency) from it?

I don't beleeeeeive it...

David
Posted by tony flashman on December 9, 2008 at 12:38 PM
He looks like I feel........OLD!

nice one David

Tony :toast: :toast:
Posted by Tom Smit on December 9, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Nice shoot. Do you have any idea how old he/she is/was?
Must be a hundred years or so.
Wel done.
:toast:
Posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 9, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Hi David, cracking title, however if it's 'Lonesome George' you are very lucky to get so close. He is still on view, but kept a good distance from the general public. The thought that after all these years the line might continue are now dashed sadly :frown:

Steve

FYI http://www.galapagos.org/2008/index.php?id=158
Posted by Matt Cole on December 9, 2008 at 3:32 PM
we don't see many of these on UKNP! It's always nice to see something a bit unusual. A very nice shot, well taken.

Matt
Posted by David Sewell on December 10, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Thanks for your comments everyone, I have been pleasantly surprised by your reaction to this picture. Elsewhere my personal favourites have tended to fall flat.

Stephen - this isn't Lonesome George, he was out of reach when we were there as well. This one was one of a group you are allowed to approach closely, they also appear in Master and Commander.
Tom - I have no idea of the age, but it is a he as this group is all males that are surplus to breeding requirements
Tony - I know how you feel!!!

Thanks again everyone.

David