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Lifetime Member
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Hi Rachel, Yep I agree..! I think its a great image, and the breath makes it for me. The fog adds also to the mood... I wondered how this might look as a b&W? Not in a position to try right now but just a thought from me. Got to get in before Morkel..!!
TFS
DON
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BPN Viewer
Hi Rachel,
I really like the mood of this one. I also think you did a really nice job on the PP to show the breath and the subdued colors really capture the foggy feel. I also looked at this as a B/W and while not a real fan of that media, I have to say this one looks good on all the B/W presets in PSE10.
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BPN Viewer
"I wish I had a bit more room below but this is full frame"
But you had on a 100-400 and you shot at 400. As I like to nag
, compose the shot then pull back 10% for later frame optimizing. We are not shooting 35mm chrome (thanks goodness).
Tom
ps - Good thing his ear did not cover that eye, else it should have been deleted in camera.
Last edited by Tom Graham; 04-29-2013 at 01:58 AM.
Reason: added ps
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Wildlife Moderator
Hi Rachel, tough conditions and you got the shot.
For me this is very much a 'work in progress' image where you now have a better understanding of what & how to achieve the next image and this is also echoed by your own self assessment. You nailed the techs & processing so now it all about the easy part, the comp.
Like the look & feel overall and retaining the breathe is never easy as quite often a fine balance or trade off with other areas.
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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Lifetime Member
Thanks guys, interesting thought on the b&w. I'll take a look.
Thanks again,
Rachel
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Wildlife Moderator
Hi Tom, be nice if you would care to share some of your images as well as your thoughts, I know you said you had some you were preparing to share soon, how are they coming along?
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
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Hi Rachel, I prefer the color image because of the subtle color in the BG grasses. I like the visible breath. TFS.
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Macro and Flora Moderator
I think you have done a good job Rachel, regarding the bas - easily fixed add a little canvas or recrop larger then fill in the empty space with content aware, i don't think you will need to add much so there will not be any noticeable distortion in the grasses.
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Hi Rachel, I think this is quite an excellent image. The overall mood is conveyed with regard to the rut, morning conditions, and the breath vapor is handled very nicely (not an easy balance to pull off).
I am quite OK with the head angle in this particular image - artists do it all the time - it makes you look deeper into the elk's world, and the image as a whole as he likely responds to another contender. I rather like the B&W as well. A bit more tweaking, and a Lum Mask or two will make the conversion POP. Well done.
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Wildlife Moderator
Interesting Rachel, I quite like the B/W it gives the image another direction. I also agree with Jonathan, that a simple extension of the base would resolve your own wishes and not that hard to do. Looking at the Elk, albeit on the laptop I do feel that you could bump up the mid and 3/4 tones to bring back a bit more depth & contrast, don't use Contrast though! It also helps to give a bit more form to the rump too.
I am quite OK with the head angle in this particular image - artists do it all the time - it makes you look deeper into the elk's world, and the image as a whole
Very true John, nice reminder, thank you.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Lifetime Member
Thanks very much gents for the kind comments and suggestions. They are very much appreciated.
Rachel
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Hello again Rachel...
Thanks for the B&W repost, it resonates with what I had in mind which is satisfying for me as I don't think B&W very often. I also think the B&W image is equally as good as the colour version as I feel it add emphasis to the animal and the breath over the BG without destroying the mood...
TFS
DON
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BPN Member
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BPN Member
Nice mood here, Rachel, and good job in making the morning breath discernable amidst the fog, not easy to do without making it look weird.
I'm not too bothered by the room at the bottom here.
And...I like the B&W!
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Lifetime Member
Thanks Don, Anette and Morkel. Anette - I had played with both luminosity masks and selective burning of the area but wasn't happy with the result of either. Decided to leave it as is.
Thanks again,
Rachel
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Rachel, this is a gorgeous image and I love the feel of it. The hazy bg and breath and great light came together so well. I like the b&W but much prefer the OP as the tones are so soft and pleasing.
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Stunning image here Rachel, not much left to say, i really like the both of them the colour and the B&W but probably leaning more towards the B & W. Overall a stunning image so very well captured and processed.
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Lifetime Member
Thanks Cheryl and Brendon