Hello Rosemary. Thank you so much for your comments. I showed this picture, saved on my camera to some friends at the art gallery, today.. None could make out at first glance, and some asked if it was superimposed or otherwise. I liked that.."a doubt". I have a couple images of this particular "coconut" that has been floating and washed ashore around this bay, at different times of the day..All taken "as is, where is"

Kind regards from Malaysia

Thank you Dave. It's an original shot, uploaded right from the camera without any editing, imaging or add on. That's a compliment from you then. Oh no, the crab is fine...its a little foot or two behind the coconut. This is the view as seen and captured  through "the eyes of the crab", the beholder...crab's eye view. Cheers!

Kind regards from Malaysia

Thank you Leslie for your comment. It's good to question if one doubts something, but one can't categorically establish that as a fact without any basis. .

Why would any one in the right frame of mind, submit a competition entry" a load of bull", which is judged by the moderators (FUJIFILM UK LTD), posted for public viewing and subject oneself to be crucified and have one's proven credibility and reputation ( not in photography yet), flushed down the drain, just for "shopping a stupid coconut"?

Masterpieces are created by the eyes of the beholder. An artist perceives quite differently and has his / her own reality world, in creating, composing and presenting. You become the beholder. For the real artist, there is no cheating on oneself, just like in calligraphy, music, golf, or in life.

In all sincerity, I take this "doubt' which is your birthright, as a great compliment. Thank you.

ps.....i did look at the shot blown up, and you can see a line to the bottom of the 'nut' to the left side and just under, it's not a shadow, very indicative of being 'added'. don't get me wrong, have no prob with that but honesty is best, you prob have a very good chance of winning all things considered.....

Hello Annie and Wullie Rodger. Thank you for your comments, and you have both touched on the concept of honesty.The contents are noted and I respect your views, though independence of thought and rationale is the essence.

Photography is an art and can be very subjective. The "truth" never hurts, and because this is a competition,  the only people at this juncture who can verify the authenticity and validity of this image are the team from Fuji Film Uk. They are the experts in this field. Do you think anyone can fool this team?

Reuters and National Geographic have admitted on some occasions of fraudulent shots in their photography. Unfortunately that shall not be in my case. There is a Chinese saying, " If your conscience is clear, do not fear on knock on your door after midnight"

Winnie, I like what you said by saying..." you probably have a good chance of winning, all things considered". Yes, this image is from the camera, to the PC and on to FinePix. The image holds all the physical properties. I have running images too.

WullieRodger, what you see in its purest form, is the very image  that will earn me an eventual "like" from you. 

I enjoy the participation, it inspires a novice like me and winning is secondary. Defeat is something that must be accepted, rather than to be ashamed of victory. I like to take pride in being a winner.

Mr(?) Po Lo,

You, sir, are a male chicken that screams ****-a-doodle-doo in the mornings.

Good atmosphere, well-incorporated.

MRBenjamin

If it was taken using a flash then that would give it the starkness and sharp outline  that makes it look like it's been added later. You say you have other shots of the coconut so why not put one here or in your gallery to show other views of it.

I think your photo is wonderful, a big like from me !

Greetings to all. Thank you Mr. Benjamin, Southern Girl, Mr. Stuart Dunlop, Birbee. Against my will, I have uploaded another two images,  taken in sequence. The image above ( competition entry) was taken on 18.9.2022 at 6.03 pm. The second image in my gallery, was taken on same date at 6.36pm. The third image, was taken at sunrise at 8.08 am. For those in doubt about "crabs and coconuts" you could have a good view here. This particular "coconut" has not left the bay, for sometime, but lies in different parts of the beach, depending on the tide. I have yet,  many other images.

Yesterday, I sent a mail to the moderators of this site and competition, to make their stand, as some statements could be defamatory.. I don't have photoshop nor coral draw, nor any other applications to enhance these images. They are from the camera to the computer, and then uploaded into this site. ZERO ADULTRATION.. I have told Fine Pix, the problem lies in being a professional artist ( in my field) using a good compact camera ( JV 200- Low priced). My credential are of least value here, but one must have or be in authority to dispute the validity or authenticity of any image.

I am enjoying my sunset years, added a hobby and have entered this competition in good faith, for fun. I like the participation and the competition but if one feels that this a "fraudulent " representation, then he or she must report me in to FinePix, or prove me wrong in any court of law, or for some, you can even wager ( your call ). That's fine with me.

Thank you for the support. It's very welcoming! I shall, after this competition is over make all these statements public, without prejudice and without mention of names. The art fraternity would be amused as I have a large worldwide following.

Huang poh lo I believe you, I sense you are a man of honour.Its a big world with many strange objects in different countries.You can sure cause a debate. All the best >  joe

Mr. Joseph.bradley5 and Mr. Howard Walker. Thank you for believing. This does help to put "right" what that can go " so terribly wrong" with a simple competition entry, just by perception, and standards not based on reason but otherwise.

I don't lick my toes in the bath, nor do I lick coconuts - don't like the taste! Composition-wise, this might have been better with the coconut placed a little to the right, whether by picking it up and putting it down again or otherwise matters not. I remember the Lone Pine in Penang island - was this near there? (I was there in the fifties and sixties, so it may have changed a bit!) Whether your photo has been manipulated is open to debate, but your "name" does look a bit contrived, Marco?

So much controversy! Well, I like this, anyway. VBOL.

Hello Sharni ( sounds very Indian) and thank you. Yes, its controversies and I am taking it in good faith, as I know my stand. Kites must rise against the wind and sometimes one has to go against the tide of popular opinion in a civil manner.I have reiterated earlier" It's not who is right or wrong, but what is right or wrong"

You must be one that likes challenges.

Have a fruitful day.

Hello Jean (eastj). You are absolutely right. It can be a vexation to the spirit and hence my soft stand. This controversy is a technical issue and cannot be proven wrong, just by assumptions,  inferences, deductions, and hearsay.

Thank you for your kind words and well wishes. Very sweet indeed. You have great shots out there. A winner will recognise his/her talents, then work his/her tail out in developing them into skills, and then use the skills to achieve his/her goals. Seize the moment. Cheers!

Thank you Pam. Coconut is very much in use daily, in the Malaysian cuisines. They come in different sizes  and clones. In jest, I shall remember the Garden of Eden..

Thank you George. Yes, I look forward  myself to posting more images, that perhaps can touch the life of another or just food for thought. This came in my mail this morning:

Husband: What will you do, if I win the pools?                                                           Wife      : I will take half and leave you, that's for sure!                                                 Husband: Excellent, I just won $12, now take 6 and buzz ( xxxx) off!!

Laughter, the best medicine!!

I am somewhat dismayed at some of the accusations made about this picture. It does have an odd perspective, but that's part of it's genius, surely? I wish you the very best of luck with this image.

Hello Jean, you are enjoying life to the fullest and I am sure the camera ( from a quick glance at your gallery) is giving you instantaneous gratification. To capture a moment in time and be able to share, is a wonderful joy, that cannot be expressed in words and age is no barrier. 

The awakening of creativity is when you produce something different. It's fair to have an opinion or debate on it but there must be a basis and such  must be made of sterner stuff. Thank you for your kind words, and I have surely made many friends through this image. That itself, is my reward and baptism.

Hello joesills. Ha ha...I did, but got booted out of NASA, for breaking traditions, a spaceship at sea. I have now, named this spaceship "Coco-Jo"

Thank you for your comment, which is respected. This is a technical issue and I am zero in that area. Any attempt to rebut will only lead things to go in semi-circles. I am in correspondence with Fuji UK and Fuji Malaysia. As a governing body for this competition, a stand has to come from Fuji. This validation has been my request, and I expect that to be forthcoming.It's a legal and moral obligation for Fuji to fulfill, from my point of view.

This entry was submitted on the 22.9.2011. I can imagine the build up it would have had, had it been earlier.

Perfect landing...

Hello there Crowley. You really have some great pieces out there.

Thank you. It has been a subtle approach without grinding one's fist. I am only awaiting a validation from Fuji. If it comes , well then good, if not, I will take this to the next level, with Fuji, as it is the governing body of this competition. 

In Chinese Calligraphy, I write many proverbs , and one of them is " True gold is never afraid of the refiner's fire". Cheers mate!

Looks real enough to me so I will give it a big fat like. 

Hi Huang Poh Lo,

I like some when first looked at it thought it had been edited but after looking at your other coconut photo's and copy and merging them I think you are the greatest photoshoper the world has ever seen and should travel the world showing us your techniques.

If this is photoshopped then the one taken at sunset is shopped as well, as the trees and horizons match.

Lovely photo and for those doubters prove it has been edited!!!

http://www.myfinepix.com/blog/martinberry1961

http://www.myfinepix.com/gallery/541006

http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/337633

Congratulations on creating an image that has provoked such controversy.

If I could only do the same as that is my ideal idea of photography

As Noel Coward once said. The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

Thumbs up from me.