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Thread: Bison Mom and Twin Calves

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    Default Bison Mom and Twin Calves

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    I took this imag about 1 year ago when I first took up this hobby. Needless to say, I knew next to nothing then. I'm a little bit better now with birds, but still have no experience with wildlife. Would like to get your comments and feedback on this image.

    5D3
    300f2.8 I IS + 1.4X II
    1/2000
    f4
    ISO-2000
    AV mode
    +1 EV Bias, Evaluative Metering
    Handheld from a car window.

    I wish I had chosen a smaller aperture like f5.6 or f8 and an ISO-400. I love the colors here, almost lie a painting, and at the time, I didn't realize that twin calves is in fact rare in the wild.

    Less than 2 mnths beore my departure for Africa, I'd better learn fast.

    Thank you

    Loi
    Last edited by Loi Nguyen; 04-25-2013 at 11:42 PM. Reason: too much sharpening

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Loi - nice to see the little "red dogs" and I really like that you captured the one mid jump. I'm not so sure if you reduced the ISO to 400 that you would have had enough ss to freeze that calf. Just something to bear in mind. I do see a little bit of noise near the top but you can apply a little NR selectively. It still seems a bit oversharpened to me.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Loi,

    great capture of the little one jumping. I like that. If you have applied sharpening the same amount to the bushes beside the calf and under the jumping calf, try to reduce that with brush set opacity lower. The calfs could use also a little less, IMHP!
    Rachel mentioned already the NR.

    have a great weekend

    Ciao
    Anette

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Looks as though you already had some talent when you started your photography b/c this is a pretty cool capture. Love seeing the little ones and the difference in their colors. The one mid-jump is awesome although wish it were sharper. Loving the environment on this one. Might include a tad more on the bottom for mom's virtual feet.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Thank you everyone. Glad you think this is a cool image. I put the Mom and calves on a different layer, applied one more NR to the BG, and sharpened only the subjects. Also reduced sharpening. Too bad about the image sharpness to begin with. Seeing this image makes me want to jump on a plane to go to Yellowstone now!

    Loi

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    Like the repost Loi! What a fun shot really like the jumping calf, it makes the image for me. Like the the colors and contrast as well. As Rachel mentioned, I'm not sure if a lower ISO/shutter speed combo would have worked here as I'd imagine it would show motion in the jumping calf and it wouldn't work for me at that point.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Loi, firstly the image looks very saturated overall, I think you could just tame things back a bit, plus you need to check your web settings, as the image is displaying an untagged colour profile which also does not help your image.

    Regarding the image, I would have removed the 1.4, this would have meant you have all the action, everything in and not just part of Mum (Mom) or was that intentional? If you went for more DOF your SS would have dropped, and therefore not have frozen the jumping calf, so it's a trade off unless you up our ISO even more, but you might have gained a bit with the loss of the converter. I think a little off either side based on the OP could help 1024 x 724, but personal taste.

    Interesting image. BTW Where are you going in Africa?

    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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    Thank you everone for your good feedback. Here is a repost based upon your suggestions. Reduced saturation, sharpening, and noise further

    Steve, we will be at Abseli fr 2 nights, and then 10 nights in th Serengeti, and 2 more nights in Kenya. I heard ou just got bak from Africa. Did you use your 500mm mostly r shorter lens?

    Thanks

    Loi

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Loi, I think it is, but using the laptop, so can't be too specific, however I am there are others who can chime in on the RP.

    I heard ou just got bak from Africa.
    Lost me here Loi.

    Did you use your 500mm mostly r shorter lens?
    I prefer too, as I know what I want plus it means I can give the subjects room and try NOT to encroach on their comfort zone, unless they come to me, as quite often they are crowded with people & iPhones, plus you need to pick your spot at times, to avoid the circus of vehicles!!! Obviously it depends on the situation too.
    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 Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    They are cute! I prefer your last repost. I would try and achieve some of the separation between subject and finely detailed surrounds/background in LR/ACR by pulling down the clarity slider and painting some clarity back into the subjects using the brush.

    Enjoy your African trip!!
    Morkel Erasmus

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