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Thread: Space to Think

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Space to Think

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    Carrying on with my monochrome series...
    High key Kalahari lion on a sand dune.
    All thoughts most welcome...


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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Another worthy effort in B & W processing, Morkel.
    I like the comp a lot, I think is a tad bright though, a bit darker would look nice for me.
    Dan Kearl

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks Dan.

    Quote Originally Posted by dankearl View Post
    I think is a tad bright though
    Hence I said "high key lion"
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, I do like the space all around and position of the subject, however I'm with Dan, I would expect this to be far higher in contrast between the Black & Whites, hence High Key. Having the midtones for me, gives the impression more of a B/W image rather than a contrasty one. I also feel the darker BKG bush competes with the subject, lightening this I feel brings more focus to the subject IMHO.

    Just my take.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    however I'm with Dan, I would expect this to be far higher in contrast between the Black & Whites, hence High Key. Having the midtones for me, gives the impression more of a B/W image rather than a contrasty one. I also feel the darker BKG bush competes with the subject, lightening this I feel brings more focus to the subject IMHO.
    That's not how I understood Dan's comment as he was commenting on it being 'too bright'.
    But what you're saying makes sense.
    In this repost I dodged the highlights some more (particularly the sky) and also dodge the shadows on the bush.
    WDYT?
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 09-24-2012 at 06:31 AM.
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    he was commenting on it being 'too bright'.
    Indeed, sorry for that, rushing too much.

    It depends on what you are trying to achieve here I think Morkel, wethers it's very contrasting tones, or something that has a bit of everything. I know this has probably gone a little too much the other way, but I feel if it's High Key, then this is more 'in keeping' with that route I think? Certainly toning down the BKG bushes is an improvement I feel, however I wonder if again, it's a compromise between the two. Be interested to know your thoughts & direction.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,
    interesting composition with a lot of space.Like the placement of the lion in the frame, quite nice.
    Usual IQ, but think it is not really High key , from my POV there should be less mid tones than presented.But the biggest issue are the OOF bushes and dunes ,i find they are a bit distracting for me.Think they are not giving anything to the image.
    On the other hand ,they BG could be then quite empty.So actually i am not sure about them.

    I think overall, it is not my cuppa...: Sorry Morkel.

    But always interesting what are you are trying out.
    So,keep going.
    TFS Andreas

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    BPN Member Steve Uffman's Avatar
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    OP wins for me......on my NEC Multisynch in a dark room, the background does not come across too bright...and lion is IMO regally overlooking his kingdom...too me the rear right distant foliage seems to add a sense of height and dimension.....without it the King seems to be sitting on a bump (less regal) rather than atop a tall hill (more regal)....(maybe its my time in Lewa where such hills and backdrop are not uncommon)

    Of course I see the image as more emotive this way so what is distracting to some only adds interest to me...
    Last edited by Steve Uffman; 09-24-2012 at 06:47 PM.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Morkel - I like the wide open space but I too find myself wishing that the oof foliage beyond the ridge was not there (and I know you don't like to clone). Also there's a halo along the lion's back. This is one that just isn't working for me as well as the others in your series. I would love to see it in color though.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    From following the thread and looking at the reposts Morke, I would be swayed to try something in between your repost and steve's. The brightness of your respost looks better IMHO but it needs a bit of punch in the shadow areas to make the lion really pop.

    Jamie

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for the feedback, folks.

    Incidentally, I love the OOF foliage behind him as it gives context for the setting in the dunes and is a typical Kalahari shrub. But then, I was there .

    Quote Originally Posted by Rachel Hollander View Post
    Also there's a halo along the lion's back
    Sorry, Rachel - not seeing it, at high res or BPN res?
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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie_Douglas View Post
    From following the thread and looking at the reposts Morke, I would be swayed to try something in between your repost and steve's.
    thanks Jamie - I agree, will try tonight...
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Morkel - I see it in each of the images, it's a white line along the back in each of the images.

    Rachel

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    mmhmm...I thought you were talking about a big halo around the lion
    I'm pretty sure that's a lighting effect - will view on the NEF file and revert
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    I like your first repost...I like it in colors and I like it in B&W>>>Nice one mate!

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