Nature Photography and Rehabilitation

Beginning of article

The Hand of Man

Nature defined in the Living Webster Dictionary (1974) is "The material world, especially as surrounding man and existing independently of his activities" and... "a primitive, wild, or uncultivated condition." The descriptive terminology suggests that "the hand of man" should not be part of the nature story--since man is candidly excluded. If we omit the secondary broader definition "the universe with all its phenomena" then we are in keeping with the PSA definition, one which I believe has weathered the test of time and ought not be revised.

PSA Nature Division permits special leniencies including scientific banding, detailed macro or micro photographs (as hybrid flora), or, if "the hand of man" appears it should enhance and be unobtrusive. The definition also lists specific exclusions as artificially produced hybrids (plants or animals), mounted specimens, and derivations or manipulations altering the truth of the nature statement. Nonetheless, judging becomes spirited when a wild hedgerow is perceived as a road, a truly wild dog is regarded as a domesticated species, or a catchlight deemed defacto evidence of photo flash and such slides disqualified or downgraded. Should judges request a reading of titles before giving disqualifying scores, or all titles read? Perhaps. Nonetheless, this portion of the Nature definition is succinctly worded and should not present an obstacle for experienced judges.

That man takes the picture reveals "the hand of man," or we would have no pictures. This is not too different from Heisenberg's "uncertainty principle" that no measurement can be precise since the measurement itself introduces error. What is one to do? Much guidance ensues from common sense, but we must adhere to a few …