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Thread: A pod of hippos

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default A pod of hippos

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    Just taking a different slant in presenting the image and stepping away from the rather saturated image that this one is, so I guess it could be a 'marmite' shot - some may like it, others may hate it, but occasionally we all dip our toes into the water.

    This was taken from a rather large pod of approximately 16+ hippos, all at various stages of growing up. This one was one of the bull hippos who in previous images was challenging others. Keeping the skiff quite still, in a very short space of time they began to accept us and became more curious, although it's always a good idea to keep a safe distance, especially when they dive out of view!!! Could have avoided the clipped ear of the youngster, but focus was more on the male. Quite surprised at the SS don't ask, just one of those things, need to crank the ISO up, but hey...


    Steve
    Subject: Hippos in water (Hippopotamus amphibius)
    Location: Botswana
    Camera: Canon MKIV
    Lens: 500f/4 HH
    Exposure: 1/80s at f/11 ISO400 +0.33 stop compensation
    Crop: Cropped slightly for presentation (original capture vertical)




    Last edited by Peter Kes; 11-21-2012 at 06:06 PM.
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    Hi Steve,
    I really like the perspective here and the OOF hippos add to the aura of the image. The subject is nice and sharp even at this SS.
    BTW I got my 500 f/4 L II :-) But have not had the time to go out and shoot much.
    Cheers
    Sanjeev

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Great news Sanjeev and welcome to the 'Long lens' club , just have a quick read on the booklet for settings, you will love it. if you have some local small birds try it with these, but you may need a tripod for support.

    Thanks for the feedback.
    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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    Steve - you can be forgiven for the off techs when the image still comes out this great! Great low perspective and I like the tones. Would probably work well as a duotone too. My only area for improvement was going to be the cut ear of the middle hippo but you already covered that. I'll swap you a piece of hippo ear for a piece of elephant calf ear .

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Steve

    i really like the "feel" to the image... Only suggestion is to crop the yellow sliver from top ... To give a uniform Bkg.

    lovely image ... Dare I say it... Would make cool B&W

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Rachel/Peter, it's a bit brutal but. I did think of going Duo or quad as it's a little softer on the eyes IMHO, but the darks really then go dark and need more control.
    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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    Steve - I rather like it and think with a bit more time you could really come away with a great b&w image. Interesting how the conversion changes the feel of the hippo's eyes, the one on the left (as we look at the image) really grabs me now.

    Rachel

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    Steve,

    I hope you do not mind a different perspective here. When I first saw this wonderfull image I immediately thought of a B&W! Then as I read and scrolled down, viola, you beat me to it. So...I took it one step further and did a somewhat square crop. A little off of the top and bottom. I first saved the color version, then in CS$ converted to a B&W, then did a slight shadows and highlights reduction, then a minor unsharp mask. I feel it is a nice effort in the right direction of what I would like to see. With the RAW file, pehaps you could give it a go. As it is the color version brings out the reds of the hippo nicely. You have guts getting that close to a pod of hippos. Stay safe and tfs.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    I like the OP the best minus the strip of yellow at the top.
    Great comp and the OOF hippo at the back really adds. Great low POV as well.
    I love the touch of pink mucosa from the nostrils.(Weird, I know)
    In a perfect world the second hippo would not be there as I feel he is the weak link in this image, especially with the clipped ear.
    Definitely a keeper,
    Gail

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Steve,
    excellent IQ for the these faux techs !!!

    Low POV works as ever so nice, though i am not sure about the other hippos , not much you can do about.

    Like the contrast , real tough , but i miss some more color. Not more sat , but more variation.

    Looks like you used a B/W adjustment layer (overlay or even hard light ?) , i would never have tried to post it.But maybe it is worth a try, !!!

    Get rid of the yellow top part.

    TFS Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Here you go for those that like 'Disney' colour.

    Grady/Andreas will come back, just dashing out the door, thanks to the rest of the folks.
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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Here you go my way

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    Steve,

    I like B&W version more than the color version. Excellent comp and techs.

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    Hi SteveLove the image, I think the B&W has great potential ... I can't really comment on tonal range as I am viewing on ipad. Still waiting on my Eizo screen delivery (next week ) . Then I will play around with it if you don't mind ! On to a winner with this image ... Sorry about lack of input but have been offline... Will Catch uo soon

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi folks, many thanks for the comments, feedback and RP's.

    Grady, like others I hope, I have no issue about anyone RP, as it can always be a 'point' we never see when we are creating our images and may offer a better option. Plus, trying to describe a direction is, or can be, long winded to write, where as a RP is instantaneous and visually what you envisage, so going B/W is a valid alternative that is now worth exploring, thanks.

    Andreas, the shot was taken around 6.15 in the evening, with very saturated light offering more softer tones and not so much highlights, producing less perhaps pronounce definition, but appreciate the suggestion, however I feel it's going a little away from the initial image . The OP was just exploring a different way of showing an image. The 'style' is just a quirky option, nothing as complicated as you suggested , unlike creating my mid tones mask. Ever used Calculations in PS?

    Then I will play around with it if you don't mind !
    Peter I will hold you to that Sir, I can fwd a larger version if you so wish via Dropbox. Seems like Xmas is coming early, you will love it, it's the way to go, but expensive.

    cheers
    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 Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Andreas, the shot was taken around 6.15 in the evening, with very saturated light offering more softer tones and not so much highlights, producing less perhaps pronounce definition, but appreciate the suggestion, however I feel it's going a little away from the initial image . The OP was just exploring a different way of showing an image. The 'style' is just a quirky option, nothing as complicated as you suggested , unlike creating my mid tones mask. Ever used Calculations in PS?

    Steve - just wanted to stay as close as possible to OP ,only a bit more color variation, just an idea.Think the OP looks quite interesting !!!

    Used calculations for creating some fancy masks !! So i know about them, but i think this a very powerful tool and you need a bit of time and patience to explore to whole thing.

    Thanks Andreas

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