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Thread: Bighorn Ram Descending

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    Default Bighorn Ram Descending

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    Mark IV, ISO 400, 100-400@400, f/6.3, 1/1000, +0.67 ev.
    Sharpened, cropped for composition, WB @ 5200K, recovery & highlights adjustments.
    It was about 7˚F & sunny when I shot this image. The ram was descending the cliff face to assert his dominance over a ram that was born this year. It was fun to watch the smaller ram turn away from the big boy & then the big boy put his head over the smaller ram's hind quarters as a show of dominance.


    Andrew

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew - I really like the position of the ram in the frame though I would consider cropping some from the rhs and from the top to eliminate most of the very bright snow on top and also some of the shadow on the rhs. The ram and dof look good to me though I might consider dropping the brightness of everything except the ram a few points just to give the ram a bit more pop. Nicely done and I'm looking forward to seeing more from this encounter.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew, each time you post here, each time I see how much you have come along since our paths first crossed, good work, likewise the techs.

    Looking at the crop, if you have it I might move the whole thing down so there is a bit more space, but try not to lose too much above, I really like the inclusion of the snow as it gives that habits these animals live in. In addition I like the posture with the slight movement of the rear legs and trailing snow, The colour of the Ram is excellent camouflage when set against the rock, but not necessarily for photography, as the head & horns blend in too well.

    I think if you can, you should look to using layers and adjustments, if you don't already, as this is the fine tuning/controlling factors you need to finally create your image IMHO. I used another layer to bring out more depth in the snow, likewise a Curves adjustment for the rocks to define things, note the nice shading coming through on the RHS you captured. I then dropped the overall saturation by -10, but then painted back in the Ram to try and add more separation, finally adding some more USM to the Ram & then using a % brush painted it across the rocks too.

    Hope this helps.

    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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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Andrew meant to add, check your web setting for conversion as the OP has an untagged profile and therefore the image may not be presented to it's full potential.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Rachel, Steve, thanks very much for your suggestions.

    Steve, unfortunately, there is no more room at the bottom. I really like your RP. It takes the image up a notch.
    Andrew

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    I like what Steve's done as the OP looks washed out. It needed more contrast and texture but also look at the profile it was saved in as Steve may have hit the nail on the head.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    I dig these guys. Steve's repost rocks and addresses my main issues with the OP...though I would've liked more space at the bottom...
    I agree that the ram blends in with the BG, but I like the behaviour-in-habitat portrayed here.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew,
    Steve used the right path, but i think there is more room for going even a tad darker and more contrast , for more depth in the image.

    Like the descending posture of the ram , and in a better world you would have chosen a wider angle to include more room to the bottom.

    TFS Andreas

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  12. #9
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Andrew,
    I like Steve's repost but agree with Rachel on the crop.....as usual, I like them a bit tighter although as you can see.....many like the room. I really like the action and the environs...just not quite so much for me.

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