OK - "Animals in their natural environment" question.

IS A PHOTO OF AN ANIMAL AT THE ZOO "NATURAL"?

Keep this in mind.  If you're reading this, you're likely engaged on this site.
Share your thought here first please.

On other contest sites I participate in, photos of animals in the zoo are not considered to be in their natural environment.

I'd agree with t5. Another thought - how about kitties and doggies at home?...  It's not specified, but my impression would be non-domesticated animals. Just about everything that moves under it's own power qualifies.

Hmm. Anymore these days, one might argue there are more white lions in the zoo than in the wild. So the zoo could be considered their natural environment. And I have photos of animals in the zoo where you could never tell what the environment because of a blurred or dark background. I would hate to submit an outstanding photo of a wild animal and not get votes because it wasn't taken "in the wild." That being said, I think images that clearly show fencing, cages, bars, people in the background, etc. are not wise choices for the topic.

Good take on the subject michael-s.  I wish there was a Blurb on the submit page that could be updated before a week like this to provide some basic tips.  I know TOny would be challenged to do that and often the topic comes down to the wire.

Maybe...just maybe we could ask him to put a comment on the submit page to "Check the TOPIC WEEK SELECTION thread for guidance on this weeks theme".  That way people just MIGHT read a thread like this before clicking submit.  AND it might encourage more people to contribute to discussions like this if/when during the week someone speaks up and says, "Sorry little kitty foo foo sitting on your lap doesn't really fit the theme".   Come on GFA...That's domething YOU would say isn't it??  Good luck everyone!

Say??? - or - Think!!!

I think that animal is anything that is not mineral or vegetable.  So that includes insects, fish, mamals, reptiles, BIRDS and maybe others.  A lot can be found in the backyard, street, park, lake, beach, etc.

To me this is a pretty wide open theme.

LL, week 48 was "Animials", (before your time), and yes it was determined it is a VERY wide open topic including humans. One entry was a guy wearing a bird costume in a parade as well as several pets and caged animals. 

I don't know who suggested the topic, but by the additional wording I'd guess it was to eliminate some of the too easy "snap shots" and portraits. As we've both said, it is very wide open, something everyone has access to with a little imagination so we don't have to look at Fluffy or Rex lounging on the couch.

Aye Cali???

Also, "in-there-natural-environment" would indicate you need to show the "enviornment", not just blur it out. This challenges you to create a setting showing more than just one element in your photo.

Ok, I have to weigh in on this one. When we say "in their natural environment" are we talking about the species of the particular animal or the animal itself.  If you are talking about certain species, they can live anywhere in the world.  If an animal is born and raised in a zoo is that not the natural environment for that particular animal?  Let's face it, I live in Dallas and my chances of seeing really "wild" animals is pretty slim. I don't have the budget to go out and view "animals" in their natural habitat....yeah, I know I could shoot the rabbits at night that plague our neighborhood, the armidillos that are in the area or possilbly catch a stray coyote at night....but let's be real, the zoo is about the best place to see animals for me.  

My intent and hope in suggesting this topic was for entries to be submitted of animals in their own personal natural environment which may include those who have been in captivity most of their lives, if that is the way it has been for them during their time on earth.  I anticipate those shots of the best photo quality taken of animals in the wild will likely place highest in members' eyes and hopefully be selected as the "most boosted" by the "most boosters".  However, that being said, I anticipate some outstanding shots of some pretty special dogs, cats, etc.  Hey, let's have fun with this one!!!  And yes indeed as gfa stated, it is hoped that the environment is a meaningful/significant part of the shot...likely no Bokeh effect in these winners! 

Sorry to disagree with the masses, but an animal born in a zoo is not living in the evironment nature intended.  Yes it may be all the animal knows, but it's not natural for say a lion to have his food delivered to him every evening.  You know what I mean?   I'm not against zoos (unless they are poorly run) but as for this weeks contest, I don't want to see a bunch of zoo shots considering the topic title and I already see a few.

I'm with you DD. This topic has an almost unlimited array of subject matter that can be captured beautifully, with out the "Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh MY", in a cage because they are easy targets.

Sorry Bear.