Reaction To Tourism’s Use Of Altered Photo
[Updated] Following complaints on social media about a photoshopped image posted by the island’s official tourism page, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said they “inherited image assets that are less than ideal”, “regret using an image that was badly altered/photoshopped,” and added that they are working with local talent to “capture images that are authentic to showcase the island.”
The image was recently posted on the Bermuda Tourism’s social media accounts, and was greeted on Facebook with some comments complaining about the image being photoshopped.
The social media posts cited various issues such as one cyclist appearing to be missing a front wheel, one cycle’s back wheel missing spokes, and the shadows falling incorrectly; while one person posted a link to the original photo — which is available for sale on a stock photography website — saying “Ya’ll been exposed.”
The altered photo posted on the official Bermuda tourism social media accounts:
The photo was posted with the caption “Why not pedal your way around the island?” and one comment from a professional photographer said, “Seems a bit silly to ask ‘why not’ on an image where the cyclists have been added in. You might want to include the rear spokes and the front of her bike next time.”
Another Bermudian photographer posted under the photo saying, “the shadows look very suspicious,” while another person saying, “Shadows are wrong off bikes vs trees…sad they cant get photo of real people on bikes.”
The image is being shared across Facebook, with over half a dozen professional Bermudian photographers expressing dissatisfaction about it.
In one of those social media posts, Guilden Gilbert said, “As a photographer, I am absolutely appalled that the BTA has released such crap as an ad,” adding that the “image is clearly two images merged” and “whoever did the editing should be fired” as it is “absolutely poor work.”
“I wonder if Minister Shawn Crockwell finds this to be acceptable quality of advertising from an entity the taxpayers have funded to the tune of $20m. These people may be pedaling, but I would hazard to say the lady probably won’t get too far with no front wheel.”
Mr. Gilbert told Bernews, “I think the ad is a disgrace, and it is a slap in the face to the local photography and image editing talent that is available in Bermuda.”
Left shows the original image, right shows the tourism image with cyclists added, click to enlarge:
Shadow Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva said, “As we reinvigorate the Bermuda brand and seek to attract tourists to our island, we must recognize that we are in competition with the world and must ensure that our marketing is as professional, polished and effective as our competitors.
“That’s why the latest debacle from the Bermuda Tourism Authority is so disheartening. People from around the world have taken note of the amateurish photo editing job on the “Walking and Pedaling in Paradise” section of the tourism website, creating an unnecessary and easily preventable blemish on our island’s image.
“The questions that must be asked are;
- Why were Bermudians not hired as models to create a realistic set of photographs?
- Why has the BTA not created an avenue to have local Bermudian photographers submit work highlighting Bermuda’s natural beauty?
“Bermuda is a beautiful destination with much to offer the world and our efforts to be competitive are hampered when substandard representations of the island reach the marketplace and the eyes of our potential customers.
“With 27 million tax dollars invested in the BTA and the Bermudian economy riding on their success, perfection is not expected, but a professional product certainly should be. The BTA must raise their standards to a global level,” added Mr. Desilva.
The top image is the original stock photo, the bottom image is a screencap from the tourism website:
BTA Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Victoria Isley, said: “The BTA recently used an image — that was part of the former Department of Tourism’s photo bank — to promote the great biking activities available on-island.
“Although photoshopping is a common marketing practice, we regret using an image that was badly altered/photoshopped.
“At the same time, we are heartened by the overall positive responses and engagement on social media including 860 likes, 131 shares and many positive comments that capture the spirit and intent of the post.
“Given the level of positive engagement, we’re keeping the social media posts up as is, but will work to remove the photo from our website where it was also used previously.
Ms. Isley continued, “We’re undergoing an audit of all image archives so we can eliminate images that don’t align with the authenticity the BTA strives for in its marketing.
“While we have inherited image assets that are less than ideal, the BTA team is working with local talent [both still and video] to capture images that are authentic to showcase the island on an ongoing basis.
“We are excited to introduce this new messaging representative of the island’s vivid, real beauty,” concluded Ms. Isley.
The official tourism account also addressed it on social media this afternoon, saying, “while some previously inherited image assets are less than ideal, we’re dedicated to working with local talent and sharing your own fan photos to authentically showcase the beauty of our island going forward.”
Update Sept 30, 8.28am: The BTA has replaced the photoshopped image on their website. Screenshots of the old and new versions are below.
Old website page:
New website page:
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aaaand the beat goes on.
There is NO need to photoshop Bermuda. To do that is laziness and stupidity. Bermuda reality is BEAUTIFUL and we don’t have to improve it with fake s*!t.
clearly you do not have an idea of what you are commenting on ‘outkasted’ – “BERMUDA is really beautiful and we don’t have to improve it w/fake s*!t.”
1. Bermuda still is BEAUTIFUL in the picture
2. If you READ the article you are shown (2) images 1 with cyclist 1 without
3. The people in the (2) images were PHOTOSHOPPED unto the ORIGINAL IMAGE of BERMUDA!!!
SMH@Quick to state inaccurate/inappropriate comments
If you’re going to complain about ‘accuracy’ you might want to direct your comments to the correct person.
Photoshopping isn’t laziness, it takes a lot of work. The laziness is that they didn’t audit their inherited stock, and as is often the case, the public eye can often prove a better screening process than an office assistant or intern in these cases. Hopefully this means they will be paying better attention and shouldn’t see this again.
Course the other laziness comes with the photoshopper who did the original work and whoever originally screened, accepted and released payment for it into the stock files for use; it should have been sent back the the editor for improving.
Well, you need to ‘shop Bermudians out, improves the image!
Attention: Ms. Victoria Isley & Minister Shawn Crockwell.
Sent from the desk of Mr. Raymond J. C. Ray
If you have a spare moment, please view my site.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNGpywSs5rI-pvhYB7__Jpg/videos
(Unadulterated photos of “Bermudful Bermuda” All shots by me)
All shot were taken by me…”Bermudaful Bermuda”
This photo is like de O.B.A/ubp’s tenure EMBARRASSING and PATHETIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not as bad as when the plp Gov’t ran a photo of Hawaii (!) in an ad saying it was Bermuda. Hypocrites, all of you plp’ers!
Exactly right. Now that was ridiculous. At least this is really Bermuda.
The 2nd picture looks MUCH better. Haters need to stop whining and let the BTA do their job.
Not hate, just very,very disappointing.These “professionals” are being paid a lot of money.This is just out and out laziness.
They thought they wouldn’t be caught out.
What do they take us for?
PATHETIC!…is this what that big shot American is here to promote?
Get rid of him and his Cohorts and let BERMUDIANS do the work and let BERMUDIAN Photographers work.
Totally agree…..
hmmm,, With all of Bermuda’s natural beauty, is there really a need to photoshop anything when it relates to our natural scenery?? seems a bit odd
You folks do NOT UNDERSTAND what PHOTOSHOP means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whistleblower, now one is saying that they photoshopped the scenery.
People know that only the bicyclists were inserted.
What they are saying is, is that since Bermuda is already and attractive and beautiful place, there is no need to photoshop in some people that seem to be enjoying themselves. The scenery speaks for itself.
Also the photoshopping job of inserting the bicyclists is so bad and looks very fake that it actually takes away from the photo.
Couldn’t have said it better myself,, Thanks..
Photoshop means Fake!
The only thing that’s been photoshopped in is the pedal bikers . The scenery remains unchanged and is original .
Furthermore I can’t say conclusively that the front wheels of the bikes are in fact missing . The angle is such that it looks to me like they are there but obscured .
So , in the end , big f’n deal .
What is ironic is that they’re on private property where the public would not be able to actually cycle.
Actually, they changed the colour of the water as well.
so what?
Who’s to say that the original color was accurate?
Big Deal? How about the fact that we are ALL paying the BTA 20mil to advertise Bermuda, and this is what they can come up with? This is a slap in the face to all Bermudians, especially local photographers.
Typical Zane Desilva attempting to score brownie points, smh.
In regards to the picture in question, its horrible. There is no front wheel, it looks as if the female rider is riding up hill on a down hill slope and the shadows are completely wrong.
and how much are you paying the police force to do something about the violence here? Probably more!
What’s the big deal?
Absolutely. It’s a story about nothing.
BFD.
Agree Creamy, BFD: almost all advertising is ‘Photoshopped’ these days… it is seen as an ‘accepted’ part of the retail process!! Get a life folks…. at least a photo of Bermuda was used to advertise Bermuda: better (and far more truthful!) that some ‘Bermuda’ advertising I have seen in past years when the photographs were not even taken in Bermuda!!!
This is why I think the NY office handling social media in Bermuda is NOT a good decision.
If you are not physically in Bermuda or not even Bermudian you cannot market our island!
Hire Local PLEASE!!
@bdaluv—-you can hire Bermudians for the NY office, but you still need to hire foreigners to make sure the Bermudians show up on a monday morning and don’t leave too early every day!
Do NOT generalise the work ethic of a WHOLE country based on the actions of a few.
Oh piss off!
you know it’s true.
BULL****!
lucky 7 – It would take a foreigner to make such a stupid remark.. Thriving on negative untruths about Bermudians.. No need for such a statement…you can stay beyond 6 years now! Actually you can now stay as long as you like!!!
Why do you think most foreigners think of Bermudians as lazy? Have you ever stopped to think about maybe there’s some truth to it?
@ expat—-And how/what exactly do you think this community got built up on? certainly not the sweat of foreigners, thats why your @$$ is here benefitting!!!!!!!You don’t know the half of whether we are lazy or not, you just know that you stepped into a roll already made!!!!!we don’t need expats. expats here need expats,!!!
Debora,
I AM 100 PERCENT 2ND GENERATION BERMUDIAN AND I LOVE MY ISLAND–OUR ISLAND. I JUST WISH EVERYONE WOULD PUT IN MORE EFFORT, YOU OBVIOUSLY DON’T OWN A BUSINESS. ITS NOT MY FAULT THE TRUTH HURTS. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD,”QUALITY” EMPLOYEES OUT THERE, BUT ON A WHOLE, SADLY, I CAN MAKE THAT COMMENT BECAUSE MOST OF US KNOW ITS TRUE.
learn how to write and type!
Your stereotyping the entire workforce.. I will admit, that there are many Bermudian employees in a host of industries that lack a good work ethic and satisfactory level of professionalism, but there are also many others who go far above the call of duty, so your comment is very unfair.. your sarcasm is unnecessary and exaggerated.
Bdaluv…good idea but problem is those in NY office and Bermuda office who were probably responsible for the photo SNAFU are Bermudian and previously worked for Department of Tourism. Hire only “qualified” Bermudians would be better.
I’m embarrassed. It is obvious that the BTA does not care. Bernews thanks for sharing this story to show how incompetent the BTA really is. Get people in tourism who actually know what they’re doing.
Also how much are the staff being paid? Cause there work shows that they’re all a bunch of amateurs.
Zane DeSilva has good points, however I’m also reminded of the stock Hawaii photo in the early 2000s when his party was the govt.
Basically, everybody’s fallen short.
Agreed, Zane would do well to think before he speaks. But the OBA promised to deliver us from those dastardly deeds. Read their campaign literature…again!
““inherited image assets that are less than ideal”
This is not an acceptable excuse. Having ‘bad’ images in your inventory does not compel you to actually use these bad images.
The BTA is acting as if they had to choice, and were essentially forced, to use bad images. With a 20+ million dollar budget, they don’t have to capability to actually look at pictures before using them in ads?
I also thought BTA has in house graphic designers? These in house professionals could not fix the picture, or create a better one?
When will we GET IT. The definition of insanity….”Doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result”. POOR BERMUDA.
Far cry 3
“Given the level of positive engagement, we’re keeping the social media posts up as is, but will work to remove the photo from our website where it was also used previously.”
BTA Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Victoria Isley
Wankers. Bunch of wankers.
Not even Glenn Jones can spin this one into anything positive
When I used the word “wanker” Chris, it was assumed I must be a British expat. Yet you apparently can use the word without the same criticism. Interesting.
Anyway, now that the word is ok for “real” Bermudians, I’ll use it as well.
You are a total wanker. An absolute first class total wanker.
I absolutely agree.
1st class????..gimme a break,he’s way down the list!
Yes , you are a Wanker.
Another shot across the bow by Guilden Gilbert.
Then again, not far off the mark.
Very little difference in my opinion.
Too much of the budget is bieng earmarked for compensation packages…and here we go again, ” we inherited…” blah blah. Did y’all not apply for your various positions in the bta or what?
We deserve better.
I don’t understand us as Bermudians instead of us coming together to hold the government or the BTA accountable, many prefer to still look back at the plp . vote for who you want. But this is an epic failure let’s come together and demand the BTA do better. Leave the plp out of it. BTA admit you made the decision to use the photo, not picking up on the flaws, remove it immediately. Apologize and be more careful pay more attention to details. And move,
Ronda firstly if you wanthink to leave the plp out of it tell Zane to keep quite…
Secondly you can’t talk aboUT mistakes until your party says sorry for the platinum period which was a big dud
how can Zane keep quite…he is the opposition minister….surely you weren’t saying that
(keep quite)when OBA sat in opposition…you supporters
(oba) go away…
Come on Ursula, do you mean quiet?
In your case,I am certain that you know better.
@rockfish—did you not read her name–drunken ursula? hi boo, boo..I know you know how to spell ….
He doesn’t have to keep quiet but this is silly.
Ursula, please sober up, it is quiet, not quite! Incidentally, Zane does need to keep QUIET, you might know the saying, then again you might not, ‘people in glass houses should not throw stones’.
And move on…..
Victoria, have you even been to Bermuda yet or is your only caption photo shopped pics? Just crazy.
Bill Hanbury, Shawn Crockwell, Glenn Jones, Karla Lacey, Jill Dill. One of you speak up cause Victoria has dug herself a deep hole and she needs help HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
what else are they doing wrong there?
i was too bzy looking at the rest of the scenery to single out the photo flaws…who else noticed the bike front wheel..? of course a photographer would notice and critisize because that is their passion and will analyze a pic that they didnt take…thats why some things are better left unsaid…why bring attention to miniscule things that the majority had missed…
@keepin it real –for real—Really !!do you want whats real or do you and others still get jacked up over lies..I don’t like to travel somewhere based on a photo i’ve seen and find that its not quite like the presented image!! If ya photoshopping may as well stay at home and watch Bermuda on t.v…If we send out phony messages we get phony results..Ask Wayne Furburt, former Tourism Minister, He knows about photoshop and by the way that tourism concept fell by the wayside also.. We so busy trying to ly we no longer know whats true…Need people that can use their THIRD eye!!!to wake up the walking zombies…
Valid point Rhonda.
We don’t always agree but your spot on here.
Money.
And follow this now new trend.
A new flavor coming out.
Corporation Lip Ice Cream.
You will get it.
I wana see Hanbury and Crockwell ride down Fort scar on a bike with no spokes. Good luck. And please tell us and the tourist how you done it. Lol And these are the people we have in charge. Lol.
Had I not reD the article I would hv never known what the big deal was. Ever gone on a site and look for a hotel? Book it cause it looks great and get in it and it’s crap? All tourism companies false advertise. Had a visitor come here based on the photo that wouldn’t have been dissapointed cause u can ride a push bike in Bermuda. Stop the negativity for cryin out loud. That’s what our problems are. Think positive. If it works. Than so be it
Dreb’ tree bears fruit. As minister of everything, The tourism ministry also had a “We had to deceive you” policy ? Many years of suffering to come to repair the damage.
If this is the best that the opposition has in the way of attack, then all I can say is things are going really well.
Bulls****.
Not the opposition at all.
Others observations and comments.
P*** off.
You wouldn’t call Zane DeSilva part of the opposition?
Try reading the ******** article.
I have no idea why this is a problem. The new version looks fine, and it probably saved an unnecessary expense of maybe $10,000 on a new photoshoot to get the same picture with two cyclists in it.
Honestly, who cares?
If it helps sell vacations, use it.
I can take a better picture than that, for free, tomorrow.
The new version isn’t fine. Not even a little. Should we really pride ourselves on celebrating mediocrity?
Clearly you have no understanding of ‘the industry’ or how much it would actually cost to legitimately reproduce this shot.
No lights, reflectors, diffusers, grip, stylists, models or assitants would be needed. You’re shooting two people – from the back – in the middle of the day. On push bikes. It doesn’t require an agency represented professional with a $40,000 camera — you’d be fine with any $200+ point and shoot. Hell, you don’t even need a tripod – just straighten the horizon in post.
Yeah. I’m sure our competition is using shots taken by amateurs on $200 point and shoots.
Do you honestly think people are looking for spokes in a wheel?
Nuts……..no problems here WTF
wife: Honey let’s go to Bermuda for our 15th wedding anniversary next year
husband: Sounds great but why did you choose Bermuda?
wife: well you know how you like nature and ride your pedal bike
husband: yes
wife: well I was looking at the tourism website for Bermuda and they have a pic of two people riding a pedal bike and the back tire has no spokes and there is no front tire.
husband: really, how can you ride a bike with no spokes and no tire?
wife: don’t ask me, it is shown as something we can do and i’m interested.
husband: book the tickets. sounds weird but I like nature and riding and maybe this is a new way to ride so let’s give this a try. If this is false advertising we can always go into the tourism department and complain.
The end. hehe
I have always been of the opinion that not only local photographers should be used to capture images of Bermuda; but post cards should be printed in Bermuda. When I worked in the post office and had to process thousands of post cards that our tourists used to sent back home showing the beauty of Bermuda; I used to shake my head as I realize these post cards were printed outside of Bermuda allowing another country to rake in the monies made off our tourism produce.
It was posted on a website. I know you’re stuck in the 1930′s but for chrissake try to pay attention.
Bring back Global Hue,lol!
What grinds my gears is that instead of acknowledging and apologising for the error they are trying to put a positive spin on it!
Any other private marketing company, someone would of gotten fired.
Is it almost as bad as when they used a picture of Hamilton with:
“Where’s your favourite place to shop in St. George’s? #Bermuda”
-> https://www.facebook.com/bermudatourism/photos/pb.111083639108.-2207520000.1411940494./10151865512129109/?type=3&theater
Thank you Bernews for sharing this story.
No one got fired when a picture of a beach in Hawaii was used in a Bermuda publicity campaign.
This is an absolute non-event.
@ Creamy,
Exactly!! A silly mistake which should not be repeated. Maybe the BTA need to update their portfolio of Bda pics so they don’t need to do this sort of thing again. Of course they would use some of our skilled local photographers.
If inserting bike riders into a photo is the worst the BTA has done well…
Too much fuss about nothing.
Is the male rider on a mountain bike with straight handles or a racer bike, with curve handles, but what does the BTA tell us.. we will leave this photo with all it flaws up,the BTA encourages us to just blame the PLP….and do not hold them responsible …what are we the people going to say, okay we trust your judgement leave it up…after all you don’t have to answer to us…..
Oh stop making targets out of people, Rhonda.
Jesus…it’s a fail on the BTA’s part. It was completely unavoidable. But it’s not like the BTA went into someone’s house and beat them up.
Chill out, folks. lol
BTA are the best ! Plastic people putting out plastic work . You could make Donald Trump’s toupee look as natural as Dolly Partons headlamps !
I really don’t think this is that big of a deal. At the end of the day the photo is fine for the intended purpose. Would probably been better without the added shadows howeve. Not nearly as bad as the time – I believe it was 2003 – that Bermuda used Hawaiian beach shots rather than Bermuda! As far as Bermudian photographers; I would highly recommend a guy named Peter Matcham: his shots of Bermuda and other work are,without question, the best I have ever seen!
Nice plug
Hanbury and the BTA can do no wrong in the eyes of some diehard, gullible Bermudians. They should be eternally grateful for the generosity of Minister Crockwell(using our money) who seems to have been bamboozled and outwitted.
Where did he study law?
Halle Berry does it So does Kim K and Denzel . Nothing wrong with making something beautiful more beautiful It”s 20014 folks We must use the technology that is available. The competition does.
Any one of Roland Skinner’s photos from past and present would sell Bermuda better than anything else that’s been tried.
It is a big deal when you badly and incorrectly
photoshop a photo for no good reason –
and it is misleading to tourists who would come here as they
can’t cycle there on that trail. But I will say I would rather that
than any of the horrendous fake staged photos of the So Much More campaign that actually decreased tourism to Bermuda…white granny bathing suit girl and woman in housedress on water street …the horror.
You’ve obviously not seen Gavin Howarth’s work. His library may not be nearly as large, but it definitely holds its own.
And ANY of Roland’s work? Really!? Have you seen the pictures inside Paraquet?
Another plug
Wow, a photoshopped photo on an ad. Bet that’s a first!
Compositing 101: Make sure the shadows match.
Proof is in the pudding. If it works there should be no complaining. If those hired to run the BTA do not produce, get rid of them and hire new people. That’s what happens in the non-civil service world.
This whole commentary is silly. For those of you who state, ‘what is the big deal’?, the big deal is Mr. Dodwell obliterated a whole government department whom he considered to be ineffective and incompetent. He devised a completely new concept with new players at great expense,p(though we will never really know how expensive, I take it PATI is not applicable in this case) namely, the BTA. So what do we have now? A bunch of non tourism but business related individuals who have not devised one new concept and who have the gall to issue a promotional picture with ‘spot the mistakes’ attached to it. This is a shocking state of affairs for Bermuda. We will never move forward with this lack of attention to detail, not to mention a lack of innovative ideas. Time to take stock of where Bermuda currently finds itself. January sees the first year icompleted for Mr. Hanbury and co. Please, in the interests of openness and transparency Bermudians must be kept abreast of the accountability in this department.
Crap.
This concept was studied and implemented by the PLP, not Dodwell. Ask Vince Ingham, and the many others who drew up the plans..
To me the point is that there are so many wonderful photos of Bermuda by both professionals and tourists alike why even bother to use something photoshopped to that extent that it’s so obvious. Besides, Bermuda doesn’t need people in the photos to sell her; she could stand alone on her beauty if she was marketed correctly. They need to market to everyone, not just the high end. The high end visitors are NOT the ones that will return again and again and again simply because the fell in love with the island.
Be a bit silly to say “why not pedal your way around the island” ..and not feature people on bikes. May as well be a picture of Paget Marsh.
Looks like the original photo may have been flipped.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that’s Élys Harbour.
And not a visitor would have noticed until all you experts and pundits pointed it out, and they still don’t care. Why not talk about all the shootings while your at it idiots. These comments, including mine get read by all kinds of potential visitors, and I’m sure it quickly changes their minds about a visit. Turkey’s. Keep it up, it shows how we are our own worst enemies. We have a jewel just 2 hours away from the wealthiest market in the world, and we constantly degrade ourselves and scare away visitors with our own selfish interests.
Well done bermuda.
Photogate I tell you it’s an outrage….let’s have a March and general strike…….what is the big deal? Put people in the photo so they can imagine being there……
We have enough talented locals to do advertising.
“BTA Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Victoria Isley, said: “The BTA recently used an image — that was part of the former Department of Tourism’s photo bank — to promote the great biking activities available on-island.”
hahaha…the DoT strikes again. BTA do not rely on anything used by the failed DoT.
Anyone remember when the PLP’s DoT used a Hawaiian beach pic to promote Bermuda? Where was Guilden and co. then?
Life must be extremely good in BDA for people to complain about such minuscule issues.
Grow up BDA.
So because I do not see and/or comment on the use of Hawaii by the BDOT I should say nothing about this absolute piece of crap composited image?
The fact of the matter is that the BTA is a private entity operating with $20M of the tax payer funds and its role was to improve the Tourism lot for Bermuda and was supposed populated by industry professionals who are expected to do a better job of promoting and re-growing the Bermuda Tourism Industry than did the BDOT.
Why does the BTA need to use an old bank of images when a similar image, excluding the need to create a composite could have been created, inexpensively using a point and shoot camera?
Further, there are any number of talented photographers in Bermuda, why not hire one of some of them to create images for the advertising campaign for Bermuda? This could serve a number of purposes, (1) hiring local talent means income for this local talent (2) you can actually have the images you want by telling to talent what you are looking to capture and present and (3) by giving photo credit to a local photog it could generate income for the photog……
Are we saying that because there was mediocrity before it is acceptable that we have mediocrity now? At what point do we expect/demand better?
Isn’t is funny how you can all my name questioning my integrity but you are hiding behind a faux name? I don’t bite and I am very willing to engage in respectful conversation/dialogue/discussion/debate/discourse.
So the use of one picture from the failed BDoT is all the evidence you need to show that that the BTA is a failure? What about all their other marketing initiatives that has happened under their very limited tenure?
Your hatred of this Government is clouding your once reasonable judgement.
Where did I say anyone had failed? One error like this does not equal failure in totality, the failure, if any, only exist with the use of this image.
Further, while I many not agree with many of the thighs said and done by this Government I certainly do not hate them…….I think there is a huge difference between disagreeing and hating……but maybe. I wrong in holding that view.
And if we were hiring amateurs using cheap cameras for our tourism campaigns Guilden would complain about that as well. Along with Zane, Bermuda’s pro whiner.
Again, another putting words in my mouth, please point me to where I stated use amateur photos, although. I have seen some very good ones that could definitely be used.
I said this elsewhere and I will say it again here: In my view the BTA should run an image contest based on a variate try of themes and invite photographers, pro and amateur to submit. The images should be reviewed without any names attached, just a number and the best images for each theme selected. When the images are selected, the images selected for pros a usage fee should be use and prizes awarded where photos from amateurs are selected.
This would, in my view, expand the number if people taking this wonderful art form more serious and it would help to document areas if Bermuda that we rarely see in images.
so there are shootings and beatings going on left, right and center and you lot want to complain about a couple of fake bikes in a tourism photo??
Maybe if folks were out biking on trails more often instead of shooting at each other and causing disturbances then I bet there would be actual pictures of people enjoying this activity and we would have an actual photo to use.
#priorities #mixedup
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Mar/01/bz/bz03a.html
It saddens me to see such a cheesy Photoshopped photo for promo for a beautiful island. Tourism department, if you ever need a local photographer to help PLEASE contact me or one of our other bermuda photographers. Id be happy to come take a photo for you to use for promotion. There is no need for this photo to be altered and used when you have LOCAL talent who can do this for you.
http://terrastimelesstreasures.smugmug.com/
27 million is up for grabs… you people just can’t resit! Everybody’s trying to get a piece.
How about volunteering your time and expertise?…no?
Yeah I don’t blame you, all the clowns at the bta are bieng paid handsomely. At least a bermudian photographer may spend their money here, unlike bill who is slated to go home(america) with over a mil.
Resist…that is.
Bingo Binky! First thing to catch my eye. It has been flipped. It is old too. After hurricane Fabian. The fact that it implies that visitors can trespass on private property to enjoy that view makes it unacceptable.
It is obvious that the BTA prefer to hire people who have no interest in tourism. They are in it for the money and from what I understand it is good money too. Results or no results, they still get paid… gooooooood. Someone who just started was hired and has no tourism background.
No wonder the BTA is getting caught with their pants down…
first we need to be honest to these suckers and put ants everywhere. don’t forget the biggest cockaroach swarm on the planet.in the trees we need some big rats. now we got the fauna taken care of. in the foreground I think we should photoshop in a truck of landscapers with blowers weedwackers and chainsaws or even an excavator if the budget still has loot. get a soundbite for that. put some gangbangers in hoodies lookin suspicious and a siren wailing too. tourism is all about keeping false hope alive. legalize cultivation of cannabis sheeple. then a blurred photo of a man smoking a big joint taken at the dump by a drunk would sell Bermuda, all it takes is a smile fools
Besides the fact that the pic is backwards, what a storm in a teacup this has turned into!!!
So what if a couple on bikes were put into it! So what if the shadows are not right!
Who cares if the colours were enhanced a little????
It is sloppy work on somebody’s part. Being printed/shown backwards should have been picked up right away. Grounds for firing? Nope. Grounds for a warning to be much more aware of what & how work is put out is more like it.
IMHO the whole concept of the BTA has been badly photoshopped ! We need to dismantle it and cut our loses .
It’s a shame since the New York team doesn’t know how to photoshop I would have hoped that the BTA’s on island creative team would have done better, I guess not. I guess the New York and on island creative team need a refresher course in advertising, photoshop and Bermuda. Smh