The Value of Photos
Feathered World September 2003
Men have written to me from all over the world, asking for photos of my
pigeons or of various Tipplers, Rollers and Tumblers, which prevail here in
England. I have in fact sent dozens of such photos, which I had on hand, but
what use are they?
Photography is a very expensive undertaking. At best they can only
illustrate typo. No photo can show character or capability. Not every
Tippler, Roller or Flying Tumbler responds to ace management - they are no
'cull free' strains. The losses and failures are quite staggering. Who can
tell the difference between good ones and failures from photos, or even by
handling, in the loft? Not me! No, they have to be test flown and carefully
observed to see how they withstand the strain of use, in a given environment
Video tapes can be an improvement but in the case of Tipplers - flown in
marathon contests, I have never seen a suitable tape. Brief snatches of
footage, supposed to be of the same kit during the same contest, are all
that I have seen. To obtain a creditable film of a Tippler contest one would
have to employ a very creditable referee/judge/timer who has some status
within the Fancy. Brief footages of the kit at regular intervals along with
a running commentary and view of a clock. During daylight hours, this would
be fairly easy - but when the daylight goes, what then? Well it's all down
to the running commentary and expertise of the referee.
It has been said that the camera cannot lie, but I disagree. During the
second world war I saw about 1,000 German prisoners being marched to a
stockade by British troops. Filming started - but the man in control stopped
it. He then ordered that only the scruffy and bedraggled German prisoners
must be filmed - the smarter ones were taken away - well out of sight, until
the filming stopped.
Therefore you see how the camera can be a liar. Well! All of this Tippler
timing must be based on expertise and integrity. The honour system must be
observed Just as keenly as the official system - otherwise it becomes a
farce.
There is nothing that brings a club down as badly as when timing, judging
and refereeing are allowed to become sloppy. Apathy, laziness, incompetence
are the most despicable of vices. Due to these. whole civilisations and
empires have vanished. Don't let it happen to your club.