Thursday, February 08, 2007

Fake Photos??? Naw!!!

So, most of you thought that that guy was photoshopped in huh? Hmmmm… Well, I hate to tell you that this is not the case! As a matter of fact, as far as I can tell, this guy actually DID jump across… and you thought that I would post fake photos! Sheesh! You have no faith in me even though I did string some of you along with my 3 part story of my “experience in the restaurant” back in mid December (The Unexpected Visitor). I don't think that I will ever get LGS's trust back after that one!

It turns out that this series of photographs are well known on the Internet. On one particular site, an additional photograph from a different angle is provided of the pinnacle of rocks in question. To get a clearer view, click on the photo. As you will see, the jump that was made by the foolhardy photographer was not as dangerous it is appeared to be from yesterday’s blog. Judging from the scale of the person lying down on the rock, I think it is safe to assume that the drop would be about 10 feet or so and not the 900 metres as assumed. Either way, however, the jumper photographer is certainly not the sharpest pencil in the drawer to be carrying out this sort of activity.

During my research, I also came across a couple of other photographs of others jumping across so it seems that this might be a regular occurrence.

So…Blogger friends who thought I was misleading them …. Hmmmm … That’s alright! I suppose I had it coming! LOL

Now for you, who are interested, check out the following photograph that made it into news stories before it was proven to be a fake. Click on the photo to see how it was done.

Cheers!


http://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/canyonleap.asp

11 comments:

Cheryl said...

I spent a long time looking at those photos. I don't care if the drop was only 10 feet, I can't imagine having the courage (foolishness?) to leap.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Okay dave, my apologies. I shall trust you implicitly the next time.

Well, now that we've established that the photos are valid, it still beggars disbelief at this guy's actions.

I have read an interview with a Park ranger from Grand Canyon where he relates how this father tried to scare his daughter as a joke by apparently falling off the edge. His intention was to land on a ledge just a few feet down but he somehow misses or bounces off the ledge and falls to his death. One wonders what appeared on his tombstone?

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

You can't trust anyone these days :)

Becky Wolfe said...

I believed they were real because I believe people are dumb enough or BRAVE enough to do such things. Too risky for my boots!

The shark one I have also seen and firmly believed it was fake but still think its a cool photo. Just seeing the shark alone scares me!

Janice Thomson said...

Had faith in you every second of the way Dave...well almost :D A few photographers have lost their lives trying to get that "perfect" picture-one has to wonder at the motive for such actions-recognition? money? Guess it never occurs to them if they die they won't be around to enjoy anyway. Man is always trying to challenge nature-she's only forgiving up to a point. Great posting Dave.

Monika said...

Oh well, so he IS a moron. That's the folly of youth I guess.

Bernie said...

I never had any doubt of your veracity. I doubted the originator of the photos.

Jazz said...

Mea Culpa Dave... How could I doubt you? *hangs head in shame*

And now that you have us all trusting you, will you be posting fake pics? :-p

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Great photos. I wonder how the person on the rock got back, though. Or IF he did.

I've bookmarked your blog so I can get back easily. Thanks for visiting mine.

Dave said...

Hi Cheryl!... I agree..Courage it is NOT... Foolishness it IS! :-)

LGS... No apologies needed! All in good fun! :-) Your story reminds me of a lawyer in Toronto who used to, when law students used to come on tour, slam his body up against the office tower windows to show them how tornado-proof they were ... Well, one day they weren't so tornado proof!

Marie!!!!... :-) I am just kidding... Trust is hard earned. Take care! :-)

Becky.. I know how unbelievable it is but there are definitely dumb people out there!

Hi Janice... I know what you mean... What people do for recognition! Not my cup of tea!

Well Monika...That moran lived yet another day... I wonder how long he will survive living like that.

Oh, I know Bernie... I just love giving everybody a hard time! :-)

Hey Jazz!... You have given me a great idea! Thanks!

Hi heartinsanfrancisco!... He did get back... This is what the photographer said...

We've come to the end of this little story. Look carefully at the photographer.
He has a camera, a tripod and also a plastic bag, all on his shoulder or in his left hand.
Only his right hand is available to grab the rock and the weight of his stuff is a problem.
He lands low on this flip flops both his right hand and right foot slips away...
At that moment I take this shot.
He pushes his body against the rock.
He waits for a few seconds, throws his stuff on the rock, climbs and walks away. YIKES!!!

Regula Scheifele said...

Oh my... I did doubt these photos as well, not because of the foolishness of the guy attempting this jump in flip flops (!!!)... But guess he'd value his camera & equipment higher than his life and wouldn't take the risk of getting a scratch on the camera...