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Thread: Chobe Shuffle

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Chobe Shuffle

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    Captured in January on the Chobe river in Botswana from a dedicated photographic boat.
    Full frame side-to-side...sky a bit washed out so I went for a monochrome version with a high-key sky.
    In the spirit of honest critique and to stimulate discussion - let me have it. What do you like - and why...and what don't you like, and why not?

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s
    Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    1.4x teleconverter (yes I should have taken the converter off - had it on for some bird photography)
    f11 | 1/800 SS | ISO-2500
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Hi Morkel,
    I think monochrome, which I am not a fan of, is a good choice with this image as it shows the elephants' skin quite well. I like the action, the swirling dust & the flailing ear as well as the bit of grass under the right elephant's neck. I would prefer to see the entire right elephant. Also, the head of the left-most elephant is a distraction to my eye.
    Andrew

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Morkel:

    Well, my first impression was the same as Andrews, the head on the left had to go. But then, I had a different thought. I like the balance and the two framing heads. Do wish I had a sliver more on the left, but know it isn't available.

    I also lightened the head on left slightly.

    Just an option.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Morkel - the conversion and toning look good. There's a lot to like here, the texture, the dust, the ear, the slight lean of the middle ele. I actually like the bystander on the lhs and wish there was a bit more of him/her. I would crop some from the rhs but maybe not as much as Randy, perhaps to just behind the front legs.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
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    Well, not much in it for me to like. Sure, the right ele's ear is different. But not all that interesting. And it raises questions that are not answered. Is it deformed that way? Was ele shaking its head? Did the wind or the other ele blow it up like that?
    Off topic, BUT - I am preparing my semiannual posting of a photo!!! However, as they say - "don't hold your breath"
    Tom

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for the suggestions folks - keep them coming

    Tom - I would have thought you've been to Africa enough to recognise an elephant headshake? Surely the dust and flapping ear was a dead giveaway? ;)

    Looking forward to your semi-annual event.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, I like the quirkiness of the image, with just the head on the LHS and the truncated end of the RH elephant, it seems to balance the comp. It's quite clear to anyone who has been to Africa what is happening based on the gesturing/posture of the elephants and dust being kicked up, so I'm rather puzzled with Tom's reply/comment?

    Tonally it looks good albeit I'm using the laptop. To me Randy's crop is too tight although it focuses the posturing, however I think it plays a good role, as quite often you have to do things to see if it works, but this is just my take, right or wrong.

    Now the question, and I'm surprised no one has picked this up, or commented on, especially as it's B/W. The Elephant on the LHS appears to be tonally different to the other two, there is no light, depth, tone etc compared to the other two. The light appears to be coming from your left shoulder, but nothing is hitting this LH ele, looks a little odd because it just looks flat????

    TFS
    Steve
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Steve - I just thought the one on the left was likely in the shade of its own body.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,
    nice one and you made the best out of it, with some tweaks in the tonality on both elephants on the side it could be even a tad better for my eyes.
    Great low POV and nice processing as usual.

    I would go for a crop like Randy , but not that tight as him.

    Wonder what comes with the semi annual event , the next IOTY :-))))))) ????!!!!

    Cheers Andreas

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Morkel I am trying to ensure I did not read previous comments but the first thing I noticed was a repost. My fist reaction was that there was a very interesting image, but there was a certain amount in the frame that did not enhance the interesting parts. I would suggest something like this:

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    Hi Morkel, not a bad image at all, agree a B&W is the best option here, the tones, contrast and textures are great ignoring the ele on the left who as steve mentioned is indeed lacking in tone and texture and for me doesn't add much to the image at all. Af the RP's i like Jonathans most emphasising the central ele and the head shake as well as loosing the ele on the left hoever i feel it a little tight on the bottom. In an ideal world as you have mentioned no converter would have helped and possibly allowed you to frame the whole of the ele shaking his head.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for your comments and suggestions, folks.
    I actually liked that the centre ele was "framed" by the 2 on the side. The LHS one is in the shade of another ele out of frame. I could try and induce some more contrast/tone in there...?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Great conversion Morkel..yeah they were giving each other a proper go. Was a great afternoon

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  20. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    It sure was Badger!!
    Morkel Erasmus

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