One of last year’s cubs mimicking his mother by searching through the rocks for crabs.
Techs Canon 1D Mark IV with 400mm F5.6 @ 5.6 1/320, ISO2500, resting on beanbag.
Zero NR applied. AF seems to have picked up the rear so I am spending the weekend calibrating my lenses. The IQ around the face isn't where I would like it to be but still IMO a sweet image that I am not going to overlook. it could have simply been that because I was working in AF expansion left and right sensors and the boat was rocking, that it picked up the rear of the bear.
Let me know what you all think processing and crop wise.
Thanks again
Jamie
Last edited by Jamie Douglas; 10-05-2012 at 01:46 AM.
I like the moment, look-back pose and setting/framing here, Jamie. Just feels a tad too dark? More detail could perhaps be extracted from the bear and surrounds...but I am viewing on the less-than-ideal laptop monitor so will have a look over the weekend on a better one.
IQ does look good for the ISO used...you must enjoy the difference between the 7D and 1Dmk4
Hi Jamie, obviously you were happy as is, but look at the image again and then open Levels up, then crank back the RH slider to around 226 ish (personal taste), now what do you think?
OK, overall I think it's too dark hence the above comment, (and Jamie knows I will be frank with him ). I don't mind the OOF rocks in the FG as it does, as you say, give the image context. I like the look back and the grains of sand (small pebbles) on the rear underfoot and the seaweed/kelp makes for an interesting environment BKG where these bears forage at low tide. I'm not to worried about the ISO/Noise as you had to do what you did to achieve the shot.
I will let you play with the 1DX, but when are you picking up the next MKIV?
Keep the good work up.
TFS
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Hi Jamie - a very cute look back pose from the cub. My first feeling was too dark as well so will be interesting to see how Steve's suggestion works out. Not sure if this is full frame but I might consider taking a bit from the rhs and adding to the lhs if you have any more room there.
I like the moment, look-back pose and setting/framing here, Jamie. Just feels a tad too dark? More detail could perhaps be extracted from the bear and surrounds...but I am viewing on the less-than-ideal laptop monitor so will have a look over the weekend on a better one.
Yep I agree and thanks Morkel, it does look too dark now I look at it again.
Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus
IQ does look good for the ISO used...you must enjoy the difference between the 7D and 1Dmk4
I just keep thinking "what if I only had my 7D for this trip", I don't think I would have come away with anything. Enjoy is an understatement.
Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski
Hi Jamie, obviously you were happy as is, but look at the image again and then open Levels up, then crank back the RH slider to around 226 ish (personal taste), now what do you think?
OK, overall I think it's too dark hence the above comment, (and Jamie knows I will be frank with him ). I don't mind the OOF rocks in the FG as it does, as you say, give the image context. I like the look back and the grains of sand (small pebbles) on the rear underfoot and the seaweed/kelp makes for an interesting environment BKG where these bears forage at low tide. I'm not to worried about the ISO/Noise as you had to do what you did to achieve the shot.
I will let you play with the 1DX, but when are you picking up the next MKIV?
Keep the good work up.
TFS
Steve
I applied your level adjustment and it hit the nail on the head in terms of bringing this to life, so thank you. Not sure what Janice (my wife for those of you that dont know the name) would say to another MKIV. Right now I am working on a 500F4 so maybe it's wise I don't push my luck. Looking forward to seeing your 1DX, sorry I mean you again in Feb/March.
Originally Posted by Rachel Hollander
Hi Jamie - a very cute look back pose from the cub. My first feeling was too dark as well so will be interesting to see how Steve's suggestion works out. Not sure if this is full frame but I might consider taking a bit from the rhs and adding to the lhs if you have any more room there.
TFS,
Rachel
Hello Rachel, thank you and this is about 85-90% full frame. I played around with many crops and felt this was the best I could come up with. I wanted to avoid having the yearling too centered and think the space on the right gives a sense that the bear is burrowing into the rocks to find crabs. Thanks for sharing you opinion though
Hi jamie ,
like this cute look back, with good details throughout the image , colors and contrast working fine.
I would choose a slightly different crop, the subject is too centered for my taste.
The bear is looking upright so i would suggest , to crop of the bottom and the RHS .As always a matter of taste.
And even that the RP shows more detail, i would go a step further in lightness.
Hi Jamie, personally I think it looks better, WDYT? I think also the colours seem to look more 'natural'?
Yes I do like the change so thanks again Steve. I did think this was a touch on the dark side but I was keen to keep the natural feel of the moment. Conditions were pretty gloomy but I think the level adjustment kept that feel and gave it just a little more punch.
I am tempted to reduce the magenta in the reds around the kelp area as well. Something I noticed last night.
Hi jamie ,
like this cute look back, with good details throughout the image , colors and contrast working fine.
I would choose a slightly different crop, the subject is too centered for my taste.
The bear is looking upright so i would suggest , to crop of the bottom and the RHS .As always a matter of taste.
And even that the RP shows more detail, i would go a step further in lightness.
TFS Andreas
Hi Andreas, I know what you are saying about the crop and if I hadn't already cropped it I would probably try something along the lines you suggested. I try to avoid cropping my images too heavily and this is already IMO as far as I want to push it. I know it's just a wee bit centered but it highlights the nature of the yearling bear forgaging amongst the larger rocks.