why are these 2 corals the same species but look completely different?

[person]

On tidal gardens i saw a german blue digiata that looks like this

but i saw another german blue digiata for just 5 dolars (the one uptop is 35) except it looks like this

so, are the prices different because the look of the coral is different, or will they both look the same, if so would it look like the first or second image?

 

[exnisstech]

Lighting and post processing images is my guess. Can't say for sure but I won't buy a coral that is shown pasted on a black background. It tells me the images has been heavily processed. The colors in the bottom image look very natural, even the plug and putty are the correct color.

EDIT: The bottom does look like a fresh cut tho. I like to see some growth on the plug to tell me the frag is growing. That just me after loosing a few fresh cut frags.

 

[Asagi]

Id say it all depends what lighting spectrum the coral is photo under. That kurl only looks good under full spectrum.

 

[person]

Id say it all depends what lighting spectrum the coral is photo under. That kurl only looks good under full spectrum.

thanks, what is a kurl?

 

[Asagi]

thanks, what is a kurl?

me misspelling coral

 

[person]

me misspelling coral

oh, lol

 

[Asagi]

On tidal gardens i saw a german blue digiata that looks like this

but i saw another german blue digiata for just 5 dolars (the one uptop is 35) except it looks like this

so, are the prices different because the look of the coral is different, or will they both look the same, if so would it look like the first or second image?

I have no experience with tidal garden, but it’s interesting they don’t talk about photoproteins when selling a coral like this. Honestly if you get this thing home and you’re running actinic it’ll look black. And $35, no way. Free at some frag swap is better.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

There are many variables...like others said, pictures are usually processed if they're posted online (particularly if the store is widely known). Then again, they could both be equally processed (or unprocessed) and the differences in appearance due to phenotypic plasticity (meaning species can be identical but look very different due to genetics). It's probably a mix of the two.

 

[Pntbll687]

Lighting and post processing images is my guess. Can't say for sure but I won't buy a coral that is shown pasted on a black background. It tells me the images has been heavily processed. The colors in the bottom image look very natural, even the plug and putty are the correct color.

EDIT: The bottom does look like a fresh cut tho. I like to see some growth on the plug to tell me the frag is growing. That just me after loosing a few fresh cut frags.

Just and FYI, that photo from Tidal Gardens is not transferred to a black background. They shoot all the photos in a spot that has a black bottom and background to get those shots. I do the same for when I post corals for sale, it looks better and makes it easier to photograph.

That said, I do not know what kind of photo editing, like white balance and color shifting may or may not have been done to that picture.

 

[PotatoPig]

Even the same coral piece can color up and look very different depending on its health and what’s going on in the water. I’ve had corals that were reddish brown color up into bright green over time.

And that’s before you start gaming the lighting spectrum…

 

[exnisstech]

Just and FYI, that photo from Tidal Gardens is not transferred to a black background. They shoot all the photos in a spot that has a black bottom and background to get those shots. I do the same for when I post corals for sale, it looks better and makes it easier to photograph.

I don't believe that for one minute. If that was the case the black would have varying shades. Tidal gardens is local to me and I love the place. But ever since Than stopped taking the photos they have been heavily manipulated.
EDIT : It also doesn't make the coral look better IMO. Who has a blacked out tank they keep coral in?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I don't believe that for one minute. If that was the case the black would have varying shades. Tidal gardens is local to me and I love the place. But ever since Than stopped taking the photos they have been heavily manipulated.
EDIT : It also doesn't make the coral look better IMO. Who has a blacked out tank they keep coral in?

Whether or not the background really is black, I highly doubt that the photo hasn't been edited fairly heavily...its for advertising purposes and these days any professional company that uses pictures for ads and can afford to hire someone who can use editing software does so. Anyone who thinks that every picture in whatever magazine they read, billboard they see, company's website, etc. hasnt been edited to some extend is a little behind imo.

Any professional company that sells coral like Tidal Gardens definitely does at least some editing. That doesnt necessarily mean that the photos are misleading, although sometimes they definitely are, just that anyone buying online needs to be aware that photo editing is a part of why the coral looks like the absolute perfect specimen.

 

[14 foot reef]

The great part about Than and Tidal Gardens if you catch his live sales, he runs the photo through a time lapse color change from I believe 6500K daylight to ultimate blue 20,000 k

Here is the you tube September live show on you tube

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

The great part about Than and Tidal Gardens if you catch his live sales, he runs the photo through a time lapse color change from I believe 6500K daylight to ultimate blue 20,000 k

Here is the you tube September live show on you tube

Thats nice but that doesn't mean the video or pictures havent been edited...what's the true value of seeing a photo edited under white light in addition to a photo edited under blue light?

 

[14 foot reef]

Thats nice but that doesn't mean the video or pictures havent been edited...what's the true value of seeing a photo edited under white light in addition to a photo edited under blue light?

If I were you with these concerns on doctoring pictures for sale items, I would look into the reputation and the history of Tidal gardens a little deeper. I think Than is one of the true pioneers in this hobby trying to deliver to our reefing community honesty and quality. Than is a true gentleman and thrives for perfection in his products at all cost.
I have never bought from him, nor have I met him, but I have followed him for many many years.
Tidal Gardens is the real deal.
I bet he would even go through his photo process with you or any of us if we emailed and asked him about his techniques and filtering processes.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

If i were you with these concerns on doctoring pictures for sale items, I would look into the reputation and the history of Tidal gardens a little deeper. I think Than is one of the true pioneers in this hobby trying to deliver to our reefing community honesty and quality. Than is a true gentleman and thrives for perfection in his products at all cost.
I have never bought from him, nor have I met him, but I have followed him for many many years.
Tidal Gardens is the real deal.
I bet he would even go through his photo process with you or any of us if we emailed and asked him about his techniques and filtering processes.

I dont have any concerns myself because I'm not the one who asked the question.
Also, the word "doctoring" makes it sound as if its intended to mislead, which I didn't say. I said theyre almost certainly edited to some extent like every picture used to advertise a product in practically any industry. It a standard practice. I didn't say the colors were oversaturated or anything similar...I simply said the original picture was likely edited.

 

[14 foot reef]

I dont have any concerns myself because I'm not the one who asked the question.
Also, the word "doctoring" makes it sound as if its intended to mislead, which I didn't say. I said theyre almost certainly edited to some extent like every picture used to advertise a product in practically any industry. It a standard practice. I didn't say the colors were oversaturated or anything similar...I simply said the original picture was likely edited.

Fair, thanks

 

[chip shop]

I’ve never seen 1 look like the second picture but plenty like the first