Re: The NEW Tennis Balls Photo Thread - 'Photoshopped photo created on 5th May', claims YouTube video

[Tony Bennett]

Meanwhile... we forget that this is the original photo:

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How high up was this person who took the photo?

Were they in an Umpire's chair or on a roof?

Standing here maybe, but then there is a fence.

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Maybe the fence this side is chest height so you could take a picture unobscured, it's a drop down the other side.

Anyway....

114cm no more no less.

Hilarious.

Of course, one of the main questions about the Tennis Balls Photo is WHO TOOK IT?

At least two people claim to have taken it.

There is even a dispute about when it could have been taken.

Then there is the long, elaborate tale by Kate McCann of how enchanting Madeleine looked on the tennis court and how she dashed back to her apartment to get her camera. I didn't find it wholly convincing.

Some have commented on the size of Madeleine's body on the photo and queried whether her head could have been photoshopped on to another girl's body.

IMO these are sufficient concerns to have a robust discussion on the Tennis Balls Photo.


@ Mods

But the main purpose of my post is to ask one of the Mods to move this and the previous 14 posts to the most recent Tennis Balls Photo thread, which is here:

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This thread is only about the 'Playground Photo'. The last 14 posts really belong on the Tennis Balls thread

[Guest]

I agree with you apart from the height of the fence which is clearly above head height as is normal for nets round tennis courts.

It's not clearly above head height, I think someone could take a photo over that.

Could the photo have been taken through an open gate in the fence? 

But I think that is more likely, there must be steps down there.

Has anyone tried to reproduce the photo by going to PdL & trying to take same shot?

Good question.


Am I the first to ever spot this in 8 years? I find that hard to believe.

[DaTroof]

Are the two courts at different levels? It looks like the one on the right is about a meter higher than the one on the left in the photo that shows both courts. If the path between the courts is at the height of the court on the right that could account for the difference & the photographer could have taken photo through one of the holes in the fence.

[Guest]

Tennis courts from another angle.

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Yes they are different levels.

We can see the wall and the grass area from where the tennis ball photo was taken.

[Guest]

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[Guest]

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Any more doubts about where the picture was taken?

Definitely the lower court over the lower fence.

[Guest]

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The tennis court is below the level of the grass area.

The fence looks about chest height from this side - or there may not be a fence on the extreme right of the court - hard to tell, steps down?

Madeleine is absolutely standing at the end of a court behind a base-line.

It all fits.

I don't like the look of that blossoming bush at bottom right, looks contrived to me, like it's been planted - but why is it there, that's what we should be asking.

No shadow in line with the par-a-sol?  Hmmm..  very suspicious.

[Guest]

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The tennis court is below the level of the grass area.

The fence looks about chest height from this side - or there may not be a fence on the extreme right of the court - hard to tell, steps down?

Madeleine is absolutely standing at the end of a court behind a base-line.

It all fits.

I don't like the look of that blossoming bush at bottom right, looks contrived to me, like it's been planted - but why is it there, that's what we should be asking.

No shadow in line with the par-a-sol?  Hmmm..  very suspicious.

There's a shadow of a dog under the chair. The dog has obviously been removed from the picture.

More McCann games.

[rustyjames]

Agree about the fence - below is a streetview from August 2009.  Not much more than the height of the handrail.

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Also visible on the playground photos:

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and here ....

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[rustyjames]

Standing here maybe, but then there is a fence.

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Is that photo of the same tennis courts.  All the others have a single fence/gate between the two courts and no floodlights in sight.

[TheTruthWillOut]

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I think you're right. That image is the tennis courts (3 courts) ~600 metres from 5A/Tapas/last photo pool tennis courts (2 courts). The one were all the adults played their tennis tournaments?

I personally think there are actually more interesting aspects to the tennis ball photo than whether it is photoshopped. Like how there is no other kids or anyone/anything else in the shot or how multiple people claim to have taking the photo and generally being very sketchy about it (why?).

Was it ever stated explicitly where the picture was taken? I honestly don't remember.

[ROSA]

Was the Tennis pic used as a alibi a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place to convince us that she was still alive on the given date.

[Guest]

Standing here maybe, but then there is a fence.

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Is that photo of the same tennis courts.  All the others have a single fence/gate between the two courts and no floodlights in sight.

Yes you are probably right. Or maybe they have changed the fencing arrangement and lighting. It's still Mark Warner (MW logo) and a lot of it still fits. I don't see another similar MW tennis double court arrangement elsewhere.
Could be a MW generic design at other facilities.

But anyway....

Verdi has put some good photos up of the tennis court with the lower rail, there is no question about this one.

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It's still the same solution to "where was it taken".

[Guest]

Found it.
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It's still Mark Warner Ocean Club as per the MW web site. Floodlit courts.

I think Verdi's picture is the one though.

[ROSA]

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[Amy Dean]

What is the connection between the photos you posted, ROSA? Is the girl on the left Madeleine? It doesn't look like her.

[ROSA]

They are both Madeleine McCann just showing how simular looking these 2 photos are

[Guest]

They are both Madeleine McCann just showing how simular looking these 2 photos are

For what purpose?

[rustyjames]

Verdi has put some good photos up of the tennis court with the lower rail, there is no question about this one.

Think it was actually me and not Verdi :-)

[Guest]

So it was!

Sorry rustyjames.

[Amy Dean]

They are both Madeleine McCann just showing how simular looking these 2 photos are

For what purpose?

I think ROSA means that some people doubt that the playground girl is Madeleine but, in view of the likeness to the earlier photo, it is her.

I know it's all a matter of opinion and perception but they don't resemble each other to me.

[Guest]

Standing here maybe, but then there is a fence.

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Is that photo of the same tennis courts.  All the others have a single fence/gate between the two courts and no floodlights in sight.

Yes you are probably right. Or maybe they have changed the fencing arrangement and lighting. It's still Mark Warner (MW logo) and a lot of it still fits. I don't see another similar MW tennis double court arrangement elsewhere.
Could be a MW generic design at other facilities.

But anyway....

Verdi has put some good photos up of the tennis court with the lower rail, there is no question about this one.

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It's still the same solution to "where was it taken".

Not guilty M'Lud!  As much as I would like to take the credit, integrity dictates so I'm compelled to admit that I haven't posted any tennis court photographs.

I will however take the opportunity of posting up this link to one of HiDeHo's excellent videos, in case some readers haven't already seen it - or even a just a reminder..

Discrepancies: Madeleine's Mini Tennis


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[Guest]

I know it's all a matter of opinion and perception but they don't resemble each other to me.

Wow.

Really?

You can't be serious.

[Amy Dean]

Maybe I need to go to Specsavers. What do others think?

[joyce1938]

Was this picture the day Maddie played tennis, or the day that the children ran about picking up balls from an adult tennis match?  Because that happened too. joyce1938

[j.rob]

HWhat stands out for me is that: 
1. Why is Madeleine wearing sandals to play mini tennis? I very much doubt this would have been allowed as they are not appropriate footwear for this activity?
2. Why is she holding tennis balls used for adult tennis rather than mini tennis?
3. Why is she standing on an adult tennis court rather than a mini tennis court?
4. Her body looks hunched with the head at a strange angle.
5.  The picture looks contrived/static and is taken from a distance and at an angle that makes her look isolated. 
6. Where are the other children or pieces of equipment/tennis balls? It is a strangely sterile picture - lacking in life or depth.

Why would Gerry 'love' this sad, contrived and isolating image of his supposedly beloved eldest daughter looking hunched and alone in the expanse of an adult tennis court?

The day and timing of Madeleine's group's mini tennis that week would appear to be a bone of contention. Different adult have claimed it was on different days that week - Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - but, significantly, not on Monday which is the day it was scheduled to take place I think?

Does this mean that Madeleine never played mini tennis that week? Not on Monday or any other day. Kate is strangely silent on the children's activities on Monday. Had something happened by then? 

Whatever the sequence of events I think the tennis ball photo is an attempt to place Madeleine as happily running around playing mini tennis as late as Thursday when, unfortunately, she was in no fit state to do so and quit possibly had not been all week - certainly since Sunday/Monday. 

What I really don't understand is why such a terrible contrived photo? At least have her wearing trainers? And why the floppy hat which would fall off and in any case it didn't look like an especially sunny day so why needed at all? I can only presume that there are some messages here. The Joker likes playing games and sending out messages, imo.

[kaz]

HWhat stands out for me is that: 
1. Why is Madeleine wearing sandals to play mini tennis? I very much doubt this would have been allowed as they are not appropriate footwear for this activity?
2. Why is she holding tennis balls used for adult tennis rather than mini tennis?
3. Why is she standing on an adult tennis court rather than a mini tennis court?
4. Her body looks hunched with the head at a strange angle.
5.  The picture looks contrived/static and is taken from a distance and at an angle that makes her look isolated. 
6. Where are the other children or pieces of equipment/tennis balls? It is a strangely sterile picture - lacking in life or depth.

Why would Gerry 'love' this sad, contrived and isolating image of his supposedly beloved eldest daughter looking hunched and alone in the expanse of an adult tennis court?

The day and timing of Madeleine's group's mini tennis that week would appear to be a bone of contention. Different adult have claimed it was on different days that week - Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - but, significantly, not on Monday which is the day it was scheduled to take place I think?

Does this mean that Madeleine never played mini tennis that week? Not on Monday or any other day. Kate is strangely silent on the children's activities on Monday. Had something happened by then? 

Whatever the sequence of events I think the tennis ball photo is an attempt to place Madeleine as happily running around playing mini tennis as late as Thursday when, unfortunately, she was in no fit state to do so and quit possibly had not been all week - certainly since Sunday/Monday. 

What I really don't understand is why such a terrible contrived photo? At least have her wearing trainers? And why the floppy hat which would fall off and in any case it didn't look like an especially sunny day so why needed at all? I can only presume that there are some messages here. The Joker likes playing games and sending out messages, imo.

I'm completely confused about this photograph. Rachael Oldfield says it was taken on the Thursday 3rd about tennish in the morning when according to Jane and Cat , Ella and Madeleine were sailing. Oh my head hurts!

[Guest]

THE TENNIS BALLS PHOTO

From 'madeleine' by Dr Kate McCann, p. 57 (hardback ed.):

"Standing there listening intently to Cat's instructions, she [Madeleine] looked so gorgeous in her little T-shirt and shorts, pink hat, ankle socks and new holiday sandals that I ran back to our apartment for my camera to record the occasion. One of my photographs is known around the world now: a smiling Madeleine clutching an armful of tennis balls..."'

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[kaz]

THE TENNIS BALLS PHOTO

From 'madeleine' by Dr Kate McCann, p. 57 (hardback ed.):

"Standing there listening intently to Cat's instructions, she [Madeleine] looked so gorgeous in her little T-shirt and shorts, pink hat, ankle socks and new holiday sandals that I ran back to our apartment for my camera to record the occasion. One of my photographs is known around the world now: a smiling Madeleine clutching an armful of tennis balls..."'

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That would be on the Tuesday according to KMC.( Even though Monday was the designated day for mini tennis according to the Warner activity sheet) but Rachael says this happened on the Thursday morning doesn't she?  
, erm and then I think it must have been at about ten thirty, Madeleine and Ella and their sort of group came to have a tennis lesson as part of their crèche activities, erm and Kate didn’t have her camera and Jane was there then as well and Jane took some photos of both Madeleine and Ella, that’s one, that poster of Madeleine with the tennis balls, that sort of pictures”.
1578    “That was taken on the”?
Reply    “Yeah that was that morning”.
1578    “Thursday”?


So that was her version for Thursday morning . Cat Baker and Jane Tanner say Madeleine and Ella were sailing . We could put it down to a poor memory but she did manage to agree with Jane  about the afternoon activities.







''................erm Jane and I went down to the tennis court and had a hit, erm cos she’d had her lesson that morning and I’d had mine so, we had about an hour hitting, just hitting the ball really, erm and Gerry and Kate were watching and erm and then we went back up and Grace was ............................''

NO MENTION of the MCC children being there and Madeleine shouting.







Jane's version of the same incident .



''.....................Erm, and I think we played ‘til about, phew, half two, because I think, I’m not sure if this is going to be another question that you are going to ask, but I think that was the last time that I saw Madeleine, because Kate and Gerry brought the kids, all the kids down to the play area to, they would have their lunch before they took them back to the Kids Club, and I think that was about two, quarter past two’ish, and I can remember Madeleine shouting things to us on the tennis court, you know, and I can remember Gerry sort of going ‘Oh good shot’ or whatever.  And I think that would have been the last time that I personally, you know, I personally saw Madeleine......''

And yet Jane was down the beach according to her on Thursday morning


....................   “Yeah, erm, I think we met Dave and Fi coming back and they said they’d seen Madeleine and Ella on a boat, because they’d taken the kids sailing that morning, so they said ‘Oh we’ve seen Madeleine and Ella on a boat down there’.  So then we went down to the beach, erm, and Russell took out a kayak and I sat and just played on the beach with Evie at that point.  And we saw, erm, they’d come off the boat and we saw Ella and Madeleine and the rest of the group, they were just, erm, they’d just come off the boat and they were getting ready to walk back up to the, erm, tut, the Kids Club, so”.












Making sense of those interviews is sheer torture.

[Guest]

Exerpt pinched from Dr Martin Roberts, 23rd January 2014

POSSIBLE CERTAINTY 

And so to mid-week (parentheses mine).

"During Gerry's tennis lesson, Madeleine and Ella came to the adjoining court with their Mini Club for a mini-tennis session... Standing there listening intently to Cat's instructions, she (Madeleine) looked so gorgeous in her little T-shirt and shorts, pink hat, ankle socks and new holiday sandals that I ran back to our apartment for my camera to record the occasion. One of my photographs is known around the world now: a smiling Madeleine clutching armfuls of tennis balls".

Thus Kate McCann tells us in her book (madeleine), clearly and unambiguously, exactly where her daughter Madeleine was that Tuesday morning, May 1st. She arrived at the tennis courts, together with Ella O'Brien, during Gerry's tennis lesson, which had started at 10.15. She was not therefore where she should have been at that time – with her kid's club playmates, at the pool.

On Thursday afternoon at about 2.40 p.m. Kate McCann captured the iconic 'last photo' of her daughter dressed in "an outfit I'd bought especially for her holiday: a peach-coloured smock top from Gap and some white broderie-anglaise shorts from Monsoon".

Madeleine was wearing nothing else but a sun hat. She was signed into the crèche by Kate that same afternoon at 2.50 p.m., no doubt following a hurried exodus from the pool area, but unfortunately twenty minutes late for the 'chalk space pictures' activity, which began at 2.30 p.m. Between them the McCanns arranged for Gerry to collect the children later while Kate went off for a run. That is what Kate McCann says in her book. There is no mention whatsoever of any additional visit to the children's playgroups in the meantime.

Since Kate has told us exactly what Madeleine was wearing at 2.40 p.m. we also know what she was not wearing – her swimming costume. So what did she do come 'dive and find' time at the pool from 3.30 to 4.30 p.m., stand and watch?

'It is not possible to be certain that' Madeleine McCann attended at the Ocean Club playgroup during the times referred to above and, by extrapolation, on any other occasion that week.

(Thanks to mccannfiles.com)