Results 1 to 36 of 36

Thread: Waterbuck Exit

  1. #1
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default Waterbuck Exit

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I thought I should post something a little different to yesterday's post

    We found this Male Waterbuck just after leaving an almost totally useless attempt at getting some shots of White Throated Bee-eater on Lake Manze channel, Selous Game Reserve Tanzania, 6th July 2012

    It was getting quite dark and we were on a moving boat, albeit slowly.

    EOS 1D MkIII

    300mm F4

    F5.6, ISO 1600, 1/4000 (no time to drop ISO)

  2. #2
    Ofer Levy
    Guest

    Default

    An impressive image! I love it. Won't mind seeing more room on the right.

  3. #3
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Ofer,

    Thanks for your comment, I would have liked more room, sadly there is none, just glad I did not have a body with the 500mm in my hand

    It happened all too fast.

  4. #4
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Ken, good dynamic capture with good detail and exposure. You done well.
    I would clone or remove the bush or leaves from RHS.

    Cheers Andreas

  5. #5
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Andreas,

    Could you be more specific as to which "bush or leaves" you mean.

    Cheers

    Ken

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Pretty cool shot Ken. Love the pose and the flying sand. Wishing the tree in the upper right wasn't so close but glad to see the horns are free of merges. Got a similar shot of a pronghorn breaking off like this, happens quick doesn't it.

  7. #7
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Steve,

    Thanks for your comment, "pesky" palm trees

    Have you posted your Pronghorn here, I would love to see it

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the action in this and the wild look in the eye. The trees in the rhs don't bother me at all, glad the horns are in clear air. More on the right would strengthen the image but if it isn't there it isn't there. Biggest problem was that I was about to post a waterbuck. Oh well.....

  9. #9
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Hilary,

    Please post your Waterbuck, always nice to see these beauties

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Ken,
    Pesky indeed! Came back to this one as my curiosity got the best of me . If you like playing with PS a little, and you get bored, try flipping the tree, moving it to the other corner, and removing the original. Gives a nice parallel line with the body. No tree at all gives you a third option . A pretty cool shot as posted though and interesting (at least to me) to see the differences.

    Never posted the pronghorn shot as it was an ISO 1600, late overcast afternoon, 50% crop image taken in May 2011. A quick, worked up version from last year looks ok as a small web post, but haven't revisited it with better PS skills and more patience since then.

  11. #11
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Steve,

    I will give that a try, if I could only figure out how to do it

    Cheers

    Ken

  12. #12
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Never tried it before tonight but it was actually pretty easy.

    1. Lasso tool around the tree (including the outer edge)
    2. Layer/New/Layer via Copy
    3. With new layer active,
    Image/Rotate/Free Rotate Layer,
    and drag the box to the opposite side.
    4. Image/Rotate/Flip Layer Horizontal.
    Click the green check mark and use the eraser tool to clean up and blend the edges of the pasted tree.
    5. Layer/Flatten Image when done.

    Disclaimer: Not to be used by the purist or for photo contest entries

  13. #13
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Steve,

    I managed to figure it just about, so here it is, it works very well, best tip I have had in ages thank you very much

  14. #14
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Steve,

    Our posts crossed

    I used quick mask selected the tree and some sky inverted selection, new layer, moved the selection and then rotated it using transform, finally cleaned out the original as best as possible. Luckily I do not enter photo competitions

  15. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Repost is great and the IQ is tops for the ISO used. Love the pose and the sand kicked up.

  16. #16
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Looks great Ken (and natural). As I said, not for purists, but if you like playing around...And this hobby is supposed to be fun, isn't it?

  17. #17
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Ken,
    RP looks pretty good.

    Thought it is clear what i like to be removed, the palm tree parts.What else nothing else is that distracting in this image.

    Cheers Andreas

  18. #18
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I would never have thought to move the tree. Very cool and really improves the image.
    Gail

  19. #19
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The riverbank perspective really enhances here Ken, a great opportunistic shot, with the flip now providing some good room.
    TFS


  20. #20
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andreas Liedmann View Post
    Hi Ken,
    RP looks pretty good.

    Thought it is clear what i like to be removed, the palm tree parts.What else nothing else is that distracting in this image.

    Cheers Andreas

    Andreas,

    If I was clear as to what you meant then I would not have asked, if you had said palm tree then I would have understood.

    Everybody else most particularly Steve, thanks very much for your kind comments, I actually think this is one of my best ever images, but I have strange taste
    Last edited by Ken Watkins; 08-04-2012 at 10:56 PM.

  21. #21
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    Posts
    48
    Threads
    9
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Ken,

    Hope you enjoyed Tanzania? Great action and IQ of an animal not often photographed!!

    Regards,

    Riaan

  22. #22
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Riaan,

    Uganda is one of our favourite places most particularly Ruaha, we have been three times now usually Selous and Ruaha, and will be back in 2014. I have lots of Waterbuck images they are so beautiful and extremely photogenic.
    Last edited by Ken Watkins; 08-06-2012 at 01:07 AM.

  23. #23
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Watkins View Post
    Riaan,

    Uganda is one of our favourite places most particularly Ruaha, we have been three times now usually Selous and Ruaha, and will be back in 2014. I have lots of Waterbuck images they are so beautiful and extremely photogenic.
    Ken, don't you mean "Tanzania"?

    One of the best poses/angles I've seen on a waterbuck shot, great job Ken...
    It's unfortunate about the bland grey sky, but what can you do...

    Nice job on the RP too - good call Steve - not what I would do (personal choice) but certainly shows a good thinking platform about image design

    Ken - here again, I feel you could get more out of the waterbuck (yes - ligthening it )...
    Slight dodging of shadows and midtones on the buck, and 10pts saturation.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  24. #24
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    Ken, don't you mean "Tanzania"?


    .

    Oops that is twice now senility is getting closer by the day!

    Can you do a re-post based on what you would have done, as I think that may better express your ideas.

  25. #25
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Watkins View Post
    Can you do a re-post based on what you would have done, as I think that may better express your ideas.
    I posted a repost. I would not have moved the branch/leaves, but my suggested changes were all pertaining to the waterbuck - so it makes no difference if I do it to the OP or RP.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  26. #26
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Morkel,

    It did not come up when I first looked, or my old age is getting the better of me

  27. #27
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Watkins View Post
    Morkel,

    It did not come up when I first looked, or my old age is getting the better of me
    Perhaps just a slow response from the system...
    And...what do you think...?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  28. #28
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Morkel.

    Sorry.

    Opened both in PS and sat them side by side, I can see yours is slightly lighter most noticeably the eye, there is also very slight in the red in the fur. Is it an improvement I really do not know I would leave it to others to decide but I think that only way would be to print both at full resolution, and I have run out of ink in two of my cartridges.

  29. #29
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Northern Rockies
    Posts
    1,273
    Threads
    106
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I prefer the tree located on the right in the OP. Since the waterbuck appears to be spooked & seems to be running for cover IMHO he would not be heading into an open space.
    Andrew

  30. #30
    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,690
    Threads
    363
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Ken,

    Wonderful action captured. As to moving the tree....to thine own self be true.

    Best,

    Chas

  31. #31
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Andrew and Chas.
    On the moving of the tree question I am now inclined to agree with you.
    I really do not approve of excessive manipulation and would not in any normal circumstance undertake this sort of excercise but I thought the idea was interesting and it was.
    I will keep the photo as was when posting on Zenfolio for linking to my trip reports.

  32. #32
    Ofer Levy
    Guest

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Ken,
    If we are going serious PS in here - here is my quick take.
    Used Morkel's version, added canvas to the right, cropped a bit off the top to get closer to 2:3, slight levels and colour balance adjustments. I really don't want to get into an argument in here as there is really no point. However, are the essence and story of this image different if the OOF tree is on the right or if it's on the left...?
    For me the last version is much nicer than the original with the tree on the left and added canvas.

  33. #33
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Ofer,

    Thanks very much for going to all of this bother, I find it really heartening that so many people have taken interest in this image. As to what is better I think everybody has there own point of view, but adding further canvas has certainly added even more

    To hopefully expand this further I will sometime probably on Saturday post the next frame in the series, this has the added puzzle of far more tree in the BG.

  34. #34
    Ofer Levy
    Guest

    Default

    It's my great pleasure Ken. Isn't it why we are all here for...?
    For me, getting an outstanding image like this one is a small miracle. So many factors have to work together in order to create this miracle. We are blessed and lucky to have the most amazing modern technology that we can use to turn this small miracle into work of art. (as much as I don't like using this term.)
    At least 95% of the best shots I have taken in the last 10 years need some manipulation to make them sing. Nothing that changes the story or the essence of the image. I guess I am not as talented as those who get everything perfect in the camera so I just have to "cheat" by adding canvas here and there, clone out some twigs if needed etc.
    Surprisingly I am fine with that and prefer it over seeing images which are simply not as good without the slight manipulation. I think this image is a good example to what I am trying to say.
    Cheers...

  35. #35
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ofer Levy View Post
    Isn't it why we are all here for...?
    I sincerely hope so

  36. #36
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What an awesome thread with much to learn here. A superb capture was made even better with steps on how to get there. Ironically, it was that tree on the right that bothered me but it never occurred to me to move it to the other side. What a difference it makes. Love the action and the kicked up sand!!!
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics