It seems that some have missed the point of the survey. The idea at hand was in regards to the front cover photo of the 2005 WASCO catalog. The idea was in taking a survey to see if such a 3-D reference as portrayed in the center of the photo would be an idea to pursue if cost feasible. This would be a 3-D reference, a deer form,one complete unit, not photos. As far as entrusting;if you use photos,a nose cast or any other reference material that you may purchase, then the answer is a resounding yes. Yes, you trust these references to help you be that better taxidermist, to make your mount more lifelike and to gain more insight,knowledge and understanding.
That is what the references are there for. This is the reasoning of my earlier post on this matter. It was just an idea and a discussion that I had with Rick Carter that prompted the post. Thanks, Ed.
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And my reply was a "resounding" NO! I love Rick and he knows I'm and ignorant SOB, but he knows I'm gonna say what's on my mind.
Now to you. What's the first rule of taxidermy REFERENCE?
1. NEVER USE ANYONE'S WORK AS A REFERENCE.
Now I'm sure as I sit here, Rick's interpretation is pretty damned close to the real thing, but it's NOT PLASTINATION. It's a great teaching tool, but I don't TEACH. I WORK.
Can you imagine if we took George and used him as reference? What would this forum look like LOL. Sorry bud I had to do it the foot was there and I pushed it in.
This would be another part of reference material, not copying somebody elses work. As far as " never use anyone's work as a reference " this can be a debate that can last forever. Why?,because we do use use the work of others for reference material {i.e. reference photos,nose casts,photos cut out from magazines and so forth} so that we may portray the specimen mounted as close as we can to a live one. If this were the case as far as never using someone else's work then I suppose that when certain questions are asked nobody should ever answer " check your reference material ". I would also have to say that noboby should ever buy reference photos or castings or even any type of book because these are references. Truth is, most of us use someone else's work - Everytime we order a form from WASCO,McKenzie,VanDyke"s or whomever. I am not trying to be a salesman or anything else,it was a simple survey to gather opinions no matter what they are for they are ALL helpful. Thanks, Ed.
But if you think photo's and nose casts are "copying someone else's work", I already know I've lost the argument.
George,
Anytime anyone purchases a nose cast,a form,a reference photo,manual and so on; Technically you are copying someone else's work because it was done by them,not yourself. You said " Never use anyone's work as a reference" not me. I have refered to everything as "REFERENCES".
Once again,this is to be used as reference material. A 3-D reference to gain more insight and knowledge,just like the other reference materials that are purchased and used. Your opinion and your vote are appreciated. Thanks, Ed.
Ed I think what George is say is that you would be working from someone else work if the full reference was sculpted. Now if the reference was cast from a fresh specimen that would be a more accurate representation of the muscle structures, and I think that is what Ed is talking about. Just my view on it...I would defiantly feel more comfortable working from a cast than a sculpted piece. Then again unless you're going for ribbons, who's going to notice the difference...sculptors in the business are amazing and keep getting better!
Joe Turcotte