This month, The Center for Inquiry and The Tallahassee Skeptics are seeking creative photographers and computer artists who can concoct the most convincing UFO photo that uses a Tallahassee landmark or building as a backdrop. The winner will receive $250 in cash. The faux-UFO photo also will be published in the Tallahassee Democrat. It's one contest that actually encourages faking it. "Nowadays, with Photoshop and other computer programs, it's really pretty easy to come up with credible-looking photos that are completely fake," said Bruce Thyer, a Florida State University professor and member of the Center for Inquiry. "We want (the contest photos) to look seamless - not a couple of kids with a fishing pole and a hubcap." The Tallahassee Center for Inquiry and the Tallahassee Skeptics are interlocking groups that seek to expose hoaxes, quackery and urban legends. Thyer used the example of a photograph that circulated on the Internet almost immediately after Sept. 11, 2001. The image depicted a smiling, waving tourist on top of a World Trade Center Tower at the moment the hijacked jets were crashing. It later proved to be a Photoshop-ed sham.

"There was a whole story going around about how they found a camera in the ashes and processed the film," Thyer said. "It was very touching at the time but ... none of it was true." The UFO competition is intended to be more lighthearted. "I thought it could be a fun way for a Boy Scout troop or a fraternity to pick up a little extra money," Thyer said.

View: Full Article | Source: Tallahassee.com

hm, it may be fun, but ufo pics are already getting veiws of less credit given towards them. whether they be flying saucers or gov't secret improved technology for aircraft - stealth, new type of engine ect ect.

I was actually thinking about that Leleil. However, this contest can also have a positive outlook. Any future photos that people do bring can immediately be categorized and "processed" under any or all of the accepted Faked-Photos. And thus able to determine whether or not the photo was hoaxed.

Assuming this is there intentions, unless they're only perpetuating the myth to debunk any true photos at all.

My dad's a semi-professional photographer. Has all the professional equipment, except we don't have a dark-room. It's a shame we don't live anywhere near it

I'm starting to doubt how accurate people are who examine photos and call them fake. If anyone watched "Hogzilla" on national geographic channel, you know why. They claimed the photo was most likley a fake, and make a few points as to why, wich seemed plausible. But at the end, the photo was most likley real, because everything about it fit the truth.

do i win ?


edit: im actually impressed and disappointed with how easy that was and how well i think it looks lol

by disappointed, i mean, if i could do it so easy so can most anyone else. so many more are probably fake

wonder if i can fool people in the UFO section here ?