Thanks

After the recent comments, questioning my honesty, this will be the final image that I post on UKNP.

So I would like to thank all those who have helped me over the past 4 years, your honest critique and sound advice has been invaluable, so thanks once again.

I was going to post another full frame shot of a Gadwall, but then I thought what the heck, so heres a shot of a Kingfisher on a natural perch and just so no one feels fooled or duped, I've cloned out a bright seed head and yes, it is a bloody huge crop.

Best regards and take care.

Andy Shepherd...

Its a great shot Andy
and you already know my position and I think you are making a big mistake.Take care
JohnR

Another cracker Andy and you know my position to you should stay, take care

Karen

This is a great shot, wish it was one of mine
I too think you're making a big mistake by leaving Andy.
The door will always be open for you to return.

Geoff.

Great shot Andy - I have only been posting for a short time, but have been watching and have been consistently amazed at the quality of your shots - I will be sad not to see them anymore...

Take care,

Oscar

Nice shot Andy! What have i missed and where are you off to?

Dale

I too will miss the images that you post Andy. This is yet again a great image of a species that I lack coverage of.

I do hope that you decide to return.

Chris

A great shame to lose you from here Andy.

Although I didn't participate, Simon's topic was thought provoking. Not a question I'd ask myself, as I'm comfortable in my own skin that should I ever feel the need to crop, I shall do so without hesitation. The fact that most of mine aren't is a mere coincident and just happened to be the way I work. Despite this, it's never occurred to me that a cropped image is a lesser image. Certainly my college lecturer didn't hesitate to suggest cropping in the days when we're all shooting slides.

Not trying to change your mind necessarily but I do think that one should only quit on one's own terms, and no one else's. Hope you reconsider.

Regards,

Des

Andy why are you leaving . It seems to be about cropping from judging by Des' comment above, but having reread the cropping discussion i don't understand, i feel like i'm missing something. Anyway i hope you reconsider as your images will certainly be missed.

Lovely image by the way, great colours

Jack the cropping topic was, well, cropped! -The Mods

Its a shame you feel you have to.leave as I think turning your back on the forum - a whole community of individuals - achieves nothing - other than making me feel guilty for raising the topic of cropping Perhaps you should've slept on it a while.

Simon

The image is great but irrelevant in the context. Seems as if the original thread has been edited. Andy - other first class contributors (and you are one) have left the forum for the same reasons in the past, and the forum was worse off. I too hope you will reconsider.

I do hope you will reconsider, Andy, as I also will miss your posts, and helpful comments. Sometimes discussions on this forum go ways that I personally disagree with, but if a forum is to be open and honest that is going to happen to us all from time to time.

David

Good Luck Andy. Nice KF.

Ian

This is great shame Andy, everyone has their own methods, some traditional, some utilising the technology available, some based on personal preference etc etc. Your methods are no better or no worse than anyone else's, they are just yours. The forum should be a place for swapping ideas on technique and continued education.

I would certainly like you to stay.

Calum

What a shame you are leaving the forum. I truly hope you will reconsider.

Good morning,

I am not going to mention what was said on Simon's earlier thread because these comments have now been removed by the Mods, plus I also don't think a public forum is the place to do it and I'm quite sure if I did, the Mods would lock this thread in a heart beat. you're right - The Mods
Simon, e-mail sent.

Thanks for your kind words and e-mails.

For what it's worth, we think that retiring from UKNP, a forum that has helped you and you it, because of the opinion (since removed) of one other is the wrong decision; people disagree all the time!

All the best for the future. - The Mods.

Best regards

Andy Shepherd...

A great shame with quality posts like this.

Have a rethink Andy

you will be missed

Andy it's plain to see that you have a lot of friends on here and that you give the group/forum a lot of enjoyment from your images. To leave because of an opinion/some opinions about cropping would be a great shame. Photography is a tool for catching what one see's, how one decides to present an image is a personal choice, cropping is a personal choice I'm a big fat bloke who cant crawl round on my belly to get near to a subject so very often I have to crop to get a decent pic. It would be a shame if you went just because of this one topic. I feel cropping is far less of a "sin" than cloning but thats just my opinion. I think if we are all honest and just say if an image has been cropped or cloned or for that matter manipulated in any way then it is down to us to post what we think is a good image and for others to judge it as such. Re-consider and for the benefit of people like me who enjoy seeing your shots then stay.

Regards.

Hello Andy

For what it's worth, we think that retiring from UKNP, a forum that has helped you and you it, because of the opinion (since removed) of one other is the wrong decision; people disagree all the time!

I think you should read this and in all honesty I think you are making a huge mistake in leaving this forum because of my comment regarding cropping. It is only my opinion and if you don't like it then you don't have to listen to it. Some people take my advice on photography because they like my style and like the success I have acheived with it. If you don't like my opinion on a certain process (cropping) or don't like my style then fine, it is your opinion as that was my opinion. I apologise if I have upset you in any way but leaving the forum because of that is a bit silly (in my opinion).

Danny

Although I won't be posting any images for the foreseeable future, I will still be contributing to the forum as often as I can, so I'll still be around.

Thanks for the kind words and advice.

Andy

Just carry on what you have been doing Andy and enjoy and that is seeing,capturing the beauty of nature. All the best

Hi Andy.
On the cropping post you were unfortunate in that you unwittingly provided a perfect example with your Bearded Tit + repost at just the wrong time.You probably feel that you were singularly picked on as the worst 'offender'.
But as you saw from the other comments on Simons' post and from all the good wishes on this post,you are not alone.
The majority use the cropping tool to a greater or lesser extent,myself included, and simply use it as another tool.And so the majority do not question your honesty (or we would be a bit two faced if we did,wouldn't we)
Personally I think Danny is Britains best nature photographer at the moment but I don't agree with his thoughts on cropping and I think you should agree to disagree and take his and everyone elses advice to stay and share your wonderful images with us.
It's nice to see that you will still contribute but it would be even better to see your images too Andy.

Phil.

I think its the comment that captive,stacking, cropping, blending, baiting etc etc is cheating thats at the root of all this.
I do stacking because I find it new , and exiting and interesting.
But cheating ?? So be it then - I cheat all the time
JohnR

Guys,

Enough is enough...

Don't you have the tact and diplomacy to know when to bow out gracefully and keep quiet? What is to be gained from raking over the ashes of the fire?

Andy has made his comments and his choices, please respect that and refrain from taking further digs .

My apologies Andy, but neither Tom nor I think there's much further to be gained by letting the argument continue... so end of topic.

edit...Hmmm - I see a few of you don't want to stand by your comments and have removed them .