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11-29-2021, 02:19 PM - 1 Like   #1
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PetaPixel: Bug Photographer of the Year Under Fire for Drugging His Subjects

https://petapixel.com/2021/11/29/bug-photographer-of-the-year-under-fire-for...-his-subjects/

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Macro insect photographers are up in arms this week after the title of “Bug Photographer of the Year” was awarded to a photographer who drugs his subjects for his ultra-close-up photos.
QuoteQuote:
“My new technique in anesthetizing insects rather than killing them seems to work on those creatures upon them as well so I may uncover more info in time,” [Steve] James wrote.


11-29-2021, 02:45 PM   #2
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Haha good timing, I just read that article and then popped over here

The contest organizing body seems to be in the belief that this behaviour is okay - personally, I haven't much of a stance on this topic, but it's an interesting debate. If the insect is truly flying away perfectly fine afterwards, is any real harm done? Do the insects feel that they're "drugged" - ie, are they sentient to some extent? (Draws a parallel here to recent events in the UK re crustaceans.)

If these insects do not have a conscious of any sort - is it then okay to drug or even kill them? If not, then is it okay to cut flowers and such for a photo? How about invasive insects or pests? Lots of hard questions that lead you down a rabbit hole of thought...
11-29-2021, 02:50 PM - 1 Like   #3
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My first reaction was hilarity at the thought of there being an award for taking photos of insects, followed by a giggle at them being incensed that said insect was drugged.
Maybe this is a method I could use for portrait photography?
(My macro photography endeavors have been limited to photos of my tied flies for use in forum posts)
After reading the article, I have a better understanding of the issues inherent in having to take stacked images of a live subject, but these people are getting sideways over not killing insects, the most numerous creatures on the planet. I could understand it more if they were simply concerned with having a level playing field, but that wasn't what most of the objections were.
I am losing all faith in humanity.

11-29-2021, 03:11 PM - 4 Likes   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by crazy4oldcars Quote
photos of my tied flies
Is tying them up really any better than drugging them?

11-29-2021, 03:14 PM - 1 Like   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by bertwert Quote
If the insect is truly flying away perfectly fine afterwards, is any real harm done?
It may think it can fly perfectly fine, but it's still more likely to cause an accident. Zero tolerance.
11-29-2021, 03:46 PM - 2 Likes   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by crazy4oldcars Quote
but these people are getting sideways over not killing insects, the most numerous creatures on the planet
One out of three insect species is endangered (there are very few studies from Asia, Afrika and Latin America, so this estimate is not undisputed, but the general trend is not in favor for many insect species), so avoiding killing or harming them unnecessarily is not as absurd as it may sound.
11-29-2021, 03:49 PM   #7
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Looks like there’s a spicy debate going on there about that method of stilling insects... but it seems the contest rules do not get that specific so the photographer must be cleared. I personally think the matter is getting out of ordinary and reasonable lines. Too much noise for bugs that are alive in the final round.
(Edit / addition: I don’t think he worked unethically but rather effectively. There are more photographers using similar means but of course now that he won everyone is offended and socked by the cruelty.... yeah right)

11-29-2021, 03:56 PM - 1 Like   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by crazy4oldcars Quote
Maybe this is a method I could use for portrait photography?
Hmmm. The members here would soon spot a stoned subject…..
11-29-2021, 03:57 PM - 3 Likes   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by wadge22 Quote
Is tying them up really any better than drugging them?
It's roping them in the first place that's difficult.

11-29-2021, 04:03 PM - 1 Like   #10
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I used to rib my vegan friends by asking them if they could hear a carrot scream when they pulled it from the ground, would they still be a vegan?
11-29-2021, 04:21 PM   #11
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Did you ever look at the selection of products at the local big-box store to rid your house and yard of bugs? These goodies don't chase bugs into the next yard, they kill them!

I wonder how many of the folks who are taking issue with his anesthetizing bugs have a selection of bug repellents and poisons in their own garage. Hmmm...
11-29-2021, 04:37 PM - 3 Likes   #12
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Well I guess they would hate my guts, my day job is an exterminator.
11-29-2021, 04:46 PM   #13
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Narcotizing insects for observation is a time-honored strategy in scientific research. I don't see the issue.


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11-29-2021, 04:48 PM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by jbinpg Quote
I used to rib my vegan friends by asking them if they could hear a carrot scream when they pulled it from the ground, would they still be a vegan?



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11-29-2021, 05:54 PM - 2 Likes   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by bertwert Quote
Haha good timing, I just read that article and then popped over here

The contest organizing body seems to be in the belief that this behaviour is okay - personally, I haven't much of a stance on this topic, but it's an interesting debate. If the insect is truly flying away perfectly fine afterwards, is any real harm done? Do the insects feel that they're "drugged" - ie, are they sentient to some extent? (Draws a parallel here to recent events in the UK re crustaceans.)

If these insects do not have a conscious of any sort - is it then okay to drug or even kill them? If not, then is it okay to cut flowers and such for a photo? How about invasive insects or pests? Lots of hard questions that lead you down a rabbit hole of thought...
How many folks are expressing indignation over the morality of "drugging" insects simply because the contest winner found a bit of a loophole in the contest rules that others failed to exploit?
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