Couldn't resist temptation - Sorry!

[Ndukes]

In breach of my own ethical standards I couldn't resist the urge to paste this seagull onto one of my photos of last Friday's partial eclipse. Please forgive.



Eclipse image - Nikon Df, 1/4000 at f40, -3ev, iso 100
Seagull image - Nikon D7100, 1/1600 at f8, iso 400

[Shadowman]

You are forgiven, I would have placed the light source to the right of the bird to make the lighting more consistent.

[selig1656]

Mystical indeed

[AlwaysOnAuto]

What John said, but nicely done just the same.

[John 2]

Agree with John but very nicely done. As to ethical standards, making images like this is perfectly legit in my view provided it doesn't purport to be a true record and it is all your own work. That's art - isn't it?

[chauncey]

I would have placed the light source to the right of the bird to make the lighting more consistent.

Or, rotate the birdy until the light appears to match up.

[IzzieK]

Same thoughts as John here too Neville...wrong side of the light for the bird but the idea is there, just move it a little bit to match the light and you're home and hosed. Good job...

[dje]

It actually works for me just how it is Neville. The bird appears to be fleeing the mystery light.

You are forgiven my son !

Dave

[Ndukes]

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions and thanks to Dave for much appreciated absolution.

[JBW]

Forgiven! I like it. But as I like the shadow world so much I just might darken it down and have the seagull flying by the light of the moon?

[jcuknz]

It would have been simple enough to flip the bird so that there is continuity of lighting as William suggested in #6. I see nothing to forgive.

[Wavelength]

What a terrific fusion; even though light is from back, that gives enough illumination to see the face and at the same time does not give the feeling of photoshopping... So i liked it this way

[Stagecoach]

Great job as it is Neville.

[Texas Dave]

I think if you just flip your bird and add a mongoose you'll be there!

[Ndukes]

I think if you just flip your bird and add a mongoose you'll be there!

Would that be a flipped mongoose or a plain one?

[Ndukes]

Many thanks to all for comments. It's interesting how opinions vary as regards light reflected on the bird. I did a version with the bird left of the sun but, strangely enough, it didn't look right. Strange also how we don't find anything unnatural about fill in flash and other additional lighting setups which seem to contradict natural light in outdoor portraits. I guess we just adapt to convention.
As regards ethics in the context of copy/paste across separate images, I think John 2 is exactly right. The image should not be represented as authentic. I suppose my eclipse with bird also represents a genuine possibility even if I was not lucky enough to have a seagull fly into shot just at the right time.