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Thread: Banded Mongoose(s)

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    Default Banded Mongoose(s)

    Name:  banded-mongooses-2.jpg
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    We found these gorgeous little creatures early one morning in Madikwe Game Reserve.

    We spotted them through the bushes just emerging from their burrow. Our approach caused them to retreat inside and we then sat and waited for about 20 minutes while they worked up enough confidence to re-emerge.

    Nikon D300s
    Nikkor 300mm f4 telephoto lens with 1.4TC attached
    1/800s
    f6.3
    ISO500

    Post processing in Nikon Capture NX2
    I applied 2 diagonal masks to slightly reduce the brightness from bottom left and top tight hand corners
    I increased the brightness a bit on the area around the left eye of each mongoose as they were in shadow
    About 10 percent cropped from bottom of frame
    slight sharpening applied

    Thanks for looking

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    Looking at my post now that it is online I feel that the image is too bright.
    I've gone back and reduced the brightness a tad, which I think is an improvement.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    My first thought was that it was too bright (OP), and then I scrolled down to see you corrected it Martin
    Nice poses and you managed to make them stand out thanks to the bright red dirt around them. Good sharpness, glad to see you using a fixed telephoto lens now. Do you find a marked difference in sharpness and AF speed between the Sigma 120-400 and the Nikon 300 f4 + 1.4? I think you should?

    PS: Why is it GOOSE>>GEESE but not MONGOOSE>>MONGEESE??
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Martin - your rp is a huge improvement with nice sharpness. Looks like the light was harsh. Nice looks to camera too so the wait was worth it.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Repost addresses the highlights I picked up on. Funny to scroll down to your repost and find what my eyes wanted to see :) A ahha moment.

    Love the alertness of the mongeese ;)

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    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
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    I agree that it was too bright and your new image is great. Beautiful scene with nice alert subjects.
    Ed

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    I had to go look these critters up before I posted. Very interesting.

    I can't tell even in multiple google pictures what color their eyes really are????

    My first thing I was going to say was is the sun just really too bright on their sun side eyes, but it looks as if their eyes are hard to capture.

    The RP is much better brightness wise and the red dirt and their color looks spot on.

    If you aren't opposed I would take out the one vertical blade of grass just to the left of the larger Moongoose.

    Nice capture, they remind me of Meerkats a bit which are dear to me.

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    Thanks Morkel.
    It is a strange transition moving from zoom to fixed lens. The fact that you can't zoom means there is more time to consider other options but it also means you really need that second camera close to hand.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Martin, the PP looks better and likewise the sharpening, but remember you have to apply sharpening to any digital file, in it's nature it's not sharp, well not sharp compared to film.

    If the IQ is there, I would go tighter and loose some of the vegetation and put them slightly off centre. A little bit of gardening on some of the lighters stems would also help.

    TFS
    Steve

    PS Kept it small for IQ, WDYT?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Thanks Steve, your comments much appreciated as always.

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