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Thread: Nursing Ele

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default Nursing Ele

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    I had posted a similar shot taken in Namibia but I actually prefer this one. This was taken in the Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa on a morning game drive in August.

    Canon 7D
    100-400 @ 400
    1/1250
    f7.1
    ISO 400
    HH from a safari vehicle, slight crop from left and above to remove tiny part of mother's ear, levels, curves, selective dodging, burning and color adjustments, sharpened in CS5.

    C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

    Rachel

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    Rachel,

    So I can add some perspective to my reply, can you tell me how far you were from this scene, what time of day it was, where was the sun in relation to you, why you were at 7.1, please. Thanks for the time you take to answer and for sharing this fine image.
    Last edited by Grady Weed; 11-19-2012 at 04:44 PM. Reason: spelling

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Grady - According to my EXIF data I was 18.1 meters (so about 60 feet) away and it was taken around 7:45 am. The sun was behind me and maybe slightly to the left (judging by the shadow from mom's leg). I have found that the 100-400 is sharpest at 6.3 or 7.1 so I tend to shoot at that if I have sufficient ss.

    Thanks,
    Rachel

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    Thanks for the extra information. I did own a 100-400 and used it mostly at 6.3. So the settings are spot on for sharpness, at least to me. I like the mom's foreleg and belly for the lines and textures, it also presents a nice contrast. As for the nursing calf, the curled trunk is a nice bonus as is the closed eye. To me the closed eye denotes a soft touch, a bonding if you will. The clean skin of the calf, the ear in particular, is pleasing, yet it gives off some nice details. If one looks closely you can detect eye lashes on the calf. Another nice bonus. I do not mind the slight shadow, too much more would have not been good. But as is...well you can't have everything can you. It looks as if there are some slight wet spots, around the calfs mouth and just beyond the eye to the right, nice. It's almost full frame too. I say a well done is in order. TFS.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Grady, much appreciated

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    Very nice tender moment well captured Rachel. Perfect techs and excellent composition.

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    Beautiful image. I love the contrast between mom's wrinkled skin and the calf. His trunk is so small, it really shows how young he is.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi rachel, a very arresting image, love the curled trunk and closed eye, bliss...

    Good techs with nice sharpness & detail. If you have the image area and the ear is not clipped, I think it would be nice to have the whole ear in of the calf at the foot, but you may need to juggle the crop?

    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 Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Sid, Laurie and Steve. Steve - unfortunately I don't have the whole ear of the calf.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    nicely exposed and framed, Rachel

    I agree with Steve, more ear would be better...I know you were going for a ROT placement of the drinking/suckling point, but less leg of mom and more ear of baby would go down well with me
    Morkel Erasmus

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Very nice Rachel, A larger view would be a tad nicer for my taste, but still, a very nice moment captured and
    the IQ and techs are perfect.
    Dan Kearl

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel,
    like the graphic look you present , of an intimate scene in an elephants life.
    Techs work really well, nothing to critique for me.

    Only minor thing is the "missing" part of the ear, i think.
    Nice one , Rachel.

    TFS Andreas

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Morkel, Dan and Andreas. A valid point about the calf's ear. I just don't have it though.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Wonderful done Rachel. Great image

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    This image is really working for me, and I am not missing the ear. The focus of this capture is the nursing behavior and that curled up trunk. You may even wish to consider a tighter crop. I also really liking all of the lines created.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Anette and Marina

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