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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Latching onto Hilary and Steve's close-ups .

    This elephant was totally wild. We were just totally close. Very close. I like close-up portraits of wildlife with selective focus like this...
    Though I know many people will feel the DOF is too shallow...for me it was about the eye...




    Techs:
    D three-S
    70 to 200 mm
    f2.8 | 1/800 SS | ISO-400
    Taken in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
    Slight crop from top and RHS


    Last edited by Peter Kes; 10-22-2012 at 10:04 AM.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    While I agree with you re. the eye, I do think the DoF is too shallow. I would like to see the tusk & trunk in focus. I think, even with more DoF, the image would still be about the eye because of the color which makes it compelling. Neat image.
    Andrew

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    Crop closer Morkel, that's my advice. It is all about the eye and I don't think you need any outside background. My one issue would be that the tusk, being so light, does draw the eye more than the eye itself, and it is a magnificent eye. The elephant is a great subject for these kind of images, certainly worth pursuing at every opportunity. I don't mind the selective focus, although I think it would work better with a tighter crop.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks guys.

    Hilary, please do post a crop suggestion repost?? I went for the eye here at the ROT powerpoint top left, and liked the OOF ear on the LHS a lot?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Morkel, I had 3 ways of looking at it, all instinctive crops rather than 'by the rules' crops, however, the IQ is severely compromised by the crop so have only ended up posting one. I do sometimes make these harsh crops with my own images (not to post) but rather to help train my eye to see alternatives in the field when I have a chance to get them closer to full frame.

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    Hi Morkel

    I have to disagree with Andrew and Hilary , i really like the image as presented ... the DOF is perfect... love the fact u can see the OOF ear and body.. there are zillions of images close up of elis eyes etc... i really like a different perspective ... which this is...
    only suggestion would be to remove or clone or darken out the blue top left corner ..

    TFS
    Peter

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    Peter, that's the wonderful thing about photography … all the different opinions and viewpoints. It always gives me hope, because there is bound to be someone out there who likes what one produces (hopefully!).

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - with the shallow dof, I prefer the op but agree with Peter that the blue corner has to go. Good that you got a clear look at the eye. So often the long lashes are in the way.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, I wondered when you would post this, glad you did.

    I am with Peter about the blue, however have you added any Detail extractor to to top part of the head, looks a bit 'enhanced'? I would have expected if below the eye was on the same plain as the top half both would have the same amount of detail if the FP was bang on the eye? Either way, a very arresting image and I really like the colours.

    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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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    I am with Peter on this one and agree on eliminating the blue of the ULC.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    I also like it as presented and agree to lose the blue corner.

    Cheers

    Austin

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    I like the DOF, though would agree on sorting out the top :HS.

    TFS.

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  23. #13
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for the feedback, folks.

    Hilary - you've certainly made me think, will explore a few crops from the full file again.... - though I still like this one personally

    Steve - no detail extractor applied, only tonal contrast very lightly as you know...

    About the blue, wanted to crop it out but wasn't happy with the results. I toned it down quite a bit already (was a vibrant sky)...so will look at diminishing it's impact some more...
    Morkel Erasmus

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