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Thread: Stare of the River Behemoth

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Stare of the River Behemoth

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    Few things are quite as unsettling as being given this kind of stare from a massive hippo bull at eye level while you're sitting on a boat meters away.
    This is the kind of experience that makes a photographic safari on the Chobe river such a bucket-list item.


    This photo was taken from a specialised photographic boat with swivel seats and gimbal heads built-in for maximum flexiblity on the river. Anyone wanting to see a short video clip of the boats can contact me via PM.


    Techs:
    Nikon D3s
    Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    f8.0 | 1/1000 SS | ISO-3200
    EV +0.7
    Full frame save for slight crop from top and bottom

    Morkel Erasmus

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    A lovely image Morkel, well exposed, good details and lovely DOF, just love the low angle one is able to get when shooting from the river. My only nit if i have to nit pick is the OOF hippo in the BG catches my eye and draws attention away from the main subject.

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    Nice looking hippo Morkel! Not sure if I would be too happy in a boat with these beasts hanging about!

    TFS

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - great low pov and dof. Another amazing result at such a high ISO.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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  8. #5
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, for me I would have liked a bit more DOF, around f/11 and perhaps as you only have the one eye visible, a more side on profile. I would try your luminosity mask to just bring down the overall light and to help the shadow areas for form & shape. Have you tried applying some Detail extraction too? The OOF hippo is 50/50 for me, as I can appreciate how difficult it is to get one on it's own. Certainly once they except you and know you are not a threat, they do come closer, so the experience is even better.

    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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    And a sneaky killer stare it is. So brave of you shooting so close as well. I really like your low angle and your composition including what looks like oof rocks in the bg.

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  12. #7
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
    Morkel Erasmus

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