Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Catch of the Day

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, California, United States
    Posts
    3,023
    Threads
    416
    Thank You Posts

    Default Catch of the Day

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Another image from Alaska Brooks Lodge last September. Not an ideal shooting position from a high platform with side lighting, but I was glad that the sun did break thru the cloud for a while.

    5D3
    300f2.8 I IS + canon 1.4X II + Kenko 1.4X Teleplus Pro TC = 588mm
    1/1250
    F8
    ISO-2000
    Tripod
    AV Mode, Evaluative metering +1 EV

    I was fooling around with stacked TCs when this bear caught the fish near the platform. This is a full frame image.

    I blew the white on the head of the fish! Didn't think about the fish, only thought that I would need to compensate for the dark bear.

    Appreciate your comments.

    Thank you

    Loi

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi - the limitations of the platforms can be a pain sometimes but you did well here. Interesting about stacking the tcs. I ran a luminosity mask at 55% but masked out the salmon completely. Then I dropped the yellows -25 and the reds -10. Just gives it a richer, more natural tone to me though I recognize that the bears at Brooks come in a variety of colors.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  3. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi, I guess you were exploring based on your intro and you added two 1.4x, but either the IQ has been compromised and or the processing isn't quite there. There is no real form or depth to give contour or shape which helps define things, especially in the fish and the kit should have nailed things, irrespective of blowing the whites. My advice would be keep it to a single 1.4 or a 2x but don't mix unless you can afford to miss the images. I think the previous one was better.

    You may also find that in participating in other threads you can learn more too.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I again like the position of the head of the bear and the side view of the fish, and its eye. I think Rachel's post removes some of the glare and adds a richness to the brown of the bear. Steve has good advice on teleconverter use and the effects.

  5. #5
    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,818
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi,

    your images of the bear eating the salmon are great. Rachel's RP nails it for me

    Have a great day

    Ciao
    Anette

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, California, United States
    Posts
    3,023
    Threads
    416
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you everyone for your comments. Steve, you are right about the stacked TCs, it is not worth it. Now looking back, I think my long lens technique was not good. I have been working on it since getting a 500f4 II and now my images are much sharper. Wildlife is still very new to me, I'm more comfortable with birds, so will need to participate here more to learn. Thanks again.

  7. Thanks Anette Mossbacher thanked for this post
  8. #7
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi, nothing can beat exploring and trying new things, you can't buy experience as such, so keep exploring as only then do you know if it works or not, likewise Post Production. Your skill in handling long lens will also develop too, hand holding or using a tripod will grow. Never fear using a tripod if it helps nail the images especially when light dictates. Obviously location can restrict this, so it good to work on technique, plus try and control your breathing when HH you camera & lens, it may sound daft, but it works. With all wildlife move slowly with your gear, take your time, take a couple of frames to check the histogram then adjust accordingly.

    Reading and exchanging thoughts & observations works both ways, as we NEVER stop learning.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  9. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, California, United States
    Posts
    3,023
    Threads
    416
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Loi, nothing can beat exploring and trying new things, you can't buy experience as such, so keep exploring as only then do you know if it works or not, likewise Post Production. Your skill in handling long lens will also develop too, hand holding or using a tripod will grow. Never fear using a tripod if it helps nail the images especially when light dictates. Obviously location can restrict this, so it good to work on technique, plus try and control your breathing when HH you camera & lens, it may sound daft, but it works. With all wildlife move slowly with your gear, take your time, take a couple of frames to check the histogram then adjust accordingly.

    Reading and exchanging thoughts & observations works both ways, as we NEVER stop learning.
    Hi Steve, thank you for reminding me "plus try and control your breathing when HH you camera & lens." This is something I don't think about and I'm sure it affects my image sharpness.

    Loi

  10. #9
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    It's a technique I learnt from a very well know photographer, however photography IMHO is not just about taking the shot, the more you do, the more you will learn. Don't hold your breath, just control it, I would hate for you to pass out, LOL.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #10
    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,818
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi,

    the breathing technic is quite easy done as Steve suggest. It is like shooting with Boe and Arrow. Or when you watch the Biathlon in winter, the cross country skiing, when they shoot after several rounds. Watch how they breath when they pull the trigger. Just the same for you. I am sure you find that in the internet. I learned it from my dad. Breath in and when you breath out 'slowly' push the button. Works great :)) Just practice a bit at home.
    I am sure everybody has developed their own. For me works this one, I never stop breathing unless the elephant is charging me

    Ciao
    Anette

  12. #11
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Loi,
    I like the position of the salmon, lying in the bear's arm just above the water. Also like the bit of color provided by the fish. I'd take a bit off the top, it minimizes the downward angle on the bear for me. Rachel's RP "smooths out" the IQ a bit.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics