Ok, so Ive been thinking about this for a long time, and seems its a common topic of conversation among swimbaiters.

Why is it that some swimbaiters totally come down on other swimbaiters for PhotoShopping photos prior to posting such photos online?

Who are those swimbaiters that dont like others Photoshopping and who are those swimbaiters that Photoshop? Im not talking names here, Im referring more to abilities, consistent results, and of course those who dont have abilities and consistent results.

So, how come some people want to criticize those who PhotoShop? What are their motivations?

shhhh

http://calfishing.com/gallery/d/7620-2/aaq.jpg

Hows that for photoshopping. I think that fish weighed 4lbs or somethin prior to photoshop?

I was just goofing around when I was in highschool photography.

Ryan Thoni


If people concentrated on the important things in life there would be a shortage of fishing poles.
~Doug Larson

I agree why get mad because sombody doesnt want to reveal there spot.
I have always found there are ways to take pics without photoshoping or revealing your spot. One of the best ways is to pull up next to some reeds and use them as a back ground. Knowbody will know where you were, just about all lakes have some reeds in them. Use those shots to post online and avoid people crying about it. Use the other shots for your own album.

www.mattlures.com

I don't photoshop because I could give a crap }( I don't blame them for photoshopping, BUT I do think it takes away from the fish and the photo. I like how some of the people kneel down and take it on their boat or like what was said about tule backgrounds. All and all said it's their fish/photo...

Like Fish Chris says, "LETS SEE THAT FISH !"

Leroy

I am a big fan of not showing the background. Believe it or not people do look at all of these photos with big fish and in essence pre-fish off of photos that they see on this site. I guarantee there are people that look at these photos and if they can identify the lake and it is within a reasonable distance from them they will go to the lake and try it because they have the mentality of "if you can catch them, they can catch them". A lot of the lakes we fish are small and they don't need any added pressure, especially from somebody who hasn't taken the time and effort to get things figured out themselves. Why put in all the hard work getting a lake dialed in only to have some internet lurker sitting on your spot the next time you are at the lake.... I know I don't want that.

If people are worried about taking away from the picture then they should take two, one with no background and one for themselves with a background. I don't look at the photos to see the background or what lake they were at, I look at them to see nice fish, Rob isn't grading us on the beauty of our photos.

For more kneeling down photos with water in the background please click the link below.......

Jake J

http://calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/jakej/

I don't know if I was the first person to post a big bass pic online with the background edited out, but it's a distinct possibility. I did it for all the logical reasons, no need to explain the obvious. If people dislike it, that's no sweat off my back. I hope they can enjoy a picture of a big bass for what it is, a picture of a big bass and if they're mad, well then they're mad.

As far as what other people do in regards to their pics I can respect all levels of "show and tell" and I certainly appreciate that many of the best fishermen in this state if not the country take it upon themselves to add their pictures to calfishing.com. When I look at the member galleries right now there's 2826 user submitted photos. I think that's awesome whether it's a picture of a bluegill or a big bass, photoshopped or otherwise. It's all part of the community.

For me, I enjoy posting my pics whether I remember to take them in a place that makes the background ambiguous or whether I forget to do it and have to use some photoshop. I don't paste in fake backgrounds to any of my pics (Fish Chris made the joke pic of me under the golden gate bridge on trophybassonly.com, not me lol) but I do take things out. Sometimes I take out stray lures that may be laying around on the deck too ;)

Things I don't typically do these days are; weigh my fish in at the marina, post my fish in Western Outdoor News, post my fish on every fishing website I can find, or make a big deal about every fish I catch. I've done all of these things at some point, I just don't feel compelled to very often any more. I see that as analogous to the photoshop thing, it's just a progression that anyone who catches a lot of big fish will probably come to at some point. Not everyone, but a lot of people. You won't have perspective if you've caught 3 or 4 ten pounders but if you've caught 50 or 100 your view on things changes.

The final stage in this type of progression is to simply not post anything at all, anywhere. I don't think I'll ever get to that point because I enjoy looking through my pics on a lazy day or whilst bored at work - and if a few of you keen eyed individuals can tell the difference between a Coyote bass and a Rancho Seco bass just by looking at the fish, well... you deserve the info :) my .02 on the topic.

Put them in the livewell and take a picture at a different location on the lake :-).
It usually happens here in Austin, that some new guy is proud of his fish (we've all been there), that he takes the picture in front of the one condo or house or boatdock. That spot will get hammered for about 2 weeks, not getting bit, people usually don't go back, sticking to their typical milk run spots. If I've got a spot that people have been hitting, I'll go back at very odd hours.

Hey Matt, where is this at? showing a good fish at a lake only gives away the lake, not when or how or where on that lake it was caught. Take a picture like this and it is a guess. Matt congrats on your placing in the Bay Bass Tournament.
David

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/5613-MVC-027S.JPG

Attachment #1, (.JPG file)

Thanks David. However I am more observant than the normal person. I starred at your picture for 3 hours and it finaly came to me. I recognized those exact reeds. I can tell by their thickness and colors. I can also recognize those exact bunches of reeds. I know your spot and lake. I will not divulge your spot over the net but the lake is where Adam caught his 16.
Pretty good huh? }( }(

www.mattlures.com

Here is a good one for ya, I have a bunch of pics on my phone all with back ground thats right with back ground. When I show people the pics Over 90% of the time the first thing out of there mouth is.....Nice fish! nope not that. WOW what a pig! nope not that. Oh My God! nope not that, nothing to that effect. They say
" Where is that?" LOL!!!!

Best of luck!!!
Don.

http://calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/bassindon69/basspics/

Nothing like fishing!