"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by Morgan:
Do not be too quick to pat yourself on the back.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” - Mahatma Gandhi, 1869 - 1948

Originally posted by LydiaToo: While I don't find photographing a dead mouse in good condition nearly as disgusting as one decomposing on the bottom of a pool *grin* , I do appreciate Morgan's truthfulness and the fact that MINE is the first image he's commented on in over 4.5 years. :) Photography that brings out a strong reaction is good, I think. Everyone has his ideas about what's proper. Some disagree with nudity, some with shooting animals kept in zoos... and so on. Some even oppose black and white images. To each his/her own, I say. No animal was harmed in the making of my image... and so I say... Life is good, even when it's not. ~Lydia

Message edited by author 2010-01-02 21:26:57.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by hihosilver:
I clicked on this photo to see your latest winning as I always enjoy your sense of humor...;-)

Errrmmmmm...I'm rather speechless now...::promptly faints::

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by bspurgeon:
Let's not beat Lydia up too much, value judgements should be left at the door. I think the ethical boundary mentioned is fuzzy, but appropriate, and open for interpretation for many photographic subjects.

Have these crossed a line?

Should be in water, correct?
Randomly picked this image, but in general, are we exploiting the homeless?
Discussed in the past, but a good example of how insect photography may be acheived.

and, finally, my own exploitation of a dead critter.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by Brent_S:
Lydia Dear, I was hesitant to comment on this shot when I first saw it even though I found it rather repulsive. Now seeing the positive way some have reacted to this image as someone who feels compassion for all creatures great and small feel I should say something. I really don't think you and some others here have taken the time to consider the ethics of what you have done here? This was once a living creature with a soul that probably died a pretty horrible death by drowning in your pond. It would be one thing to use the body to sustain that of another or even arguably for science. But to use it in this way for something as trivial as a ribbon at DPC I feel is really quite awful. And I cringe at the thought that some ribbon hounds here at DPC will see this entry and be inspired to dig up more dead stuff or capture other critters in a manner that causes them discomfort or even eventual death.
So kudos for a shot very well captured Lydia, but I hope you and all other members here at DPC never cross this ethical boundary again. One that as a good person you just didn't think about enough at the time you crossed it :-)

Message edited by author 2010-01-02 16:38:46.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by Lydia:
While I don't find photographing a dead mouse in good condition nearly as disgusting as one decomposing on the bottom of a pool *grin* , I do appreciate Morgan's truthfulness and the fact that MINE is the first image he's commented on in over 4.5 years. :) Photography that brings out a strong reaction is good, I think.

Everyone has his ideas about what's proper. Some disagree with nudity, some with shooting animals kept in zoos... and so on. Some even oppose black and white images. To each his/her own, I say.

No animal was harmed in the making of my image... and so I say...

Life is good, even when it's not.

~Lydia

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by thomasroed:
Agreeing with Morgan. This is not cool.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by Morgan:
How disgusting and perverted. When do we start propping up dead human remains and handing out awards for that? This is beyond comprehension. Shame on those who praised these actions as acceptable.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by quiche:
I love it! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who sees a dead critter and immediately thinks "Ooh, photo model!" Haven't ever tried blow-drying an ex-critter, though. That was a touch of genius.

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by Ja-9:
I hope you gave her the bit of cheese when you buried her....that is a precious story...great picture

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment by tanguera:
Aw geez! Like it's not competitive enough around here...

LOL! Amazing story and a shot to match. Congrats on the ribbon!