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Thread: Dolphins on the hunt

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    Default Dolphins on the hunt

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    This shot was taken a few weeks back during another feeding frenzy out at sea

    The sun was still high and light was pretty harsh, so quite tough to get details on the dolphins without completely blowing the highlights

    When hunting dolphins burst out on the surface for split seconds at very high speed and catching them is pretty hard work

    These are common dolphins

    D7000
    300f4 + 1.7x TC
    f7.1
    1/1000
    ISO 640

    Cannot remember my PP much other than tried to tame the highlights and bring up the shadows so some detail was visible on the dark dolphins

    Thanks for viewing

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Shane - Nice timing to get them both on the surface and good sharpness. I also like the pov. Were you in a boat? There's no color profile embedded in your file. You should save as sRGB when posting. See the sticky at the top of the forum on saving for web. The light does seem harsh and the highlights are still a bit too strong. If it were mine I would do a luminosity mask and then also some selective burning on the brightest highlight near the top of the frame and would crop from the bottom to get rid of the blown one there (or you could clone it out if that is within your ethics). It's worth taking the time because dolphins are difficult subjects and this is a nice frame.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Thanks for the comments

    Yes I was out on my boat which is very low in the water so these types of surface level shots are possible

    I will review the saving as sRGB, I must have missed that section.

    Cloning as long is does not affect the subject or alter the shot is not a problem. Will try both out see what works best

    Regards

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Shane, good to see another species posted, thanks.

    I think under the circumstances you did very well, techs look good and you kept a highish SS to try and freeze the action which is absolutely key. In an ideal whorl a tad more space on the RHS, not much but a hint more I think might be helpful, but you may have that if this is a crop? You have the head clear and I like the spray created as it rises out of the water. Not being there I'm going to take a punt with some thoughts

    So, based on the OP to me there is too much blue causing a cast within the subject which needs addressing, double (or more) processing the image helps as you can adjust key areas and make a composite, sharpness is there I just think you need more USM. Now the colour could be off, but perhaps it's a balance of retaining more depth & detail by adjusting the Exposure module and then fine tuning the colour if needed. Almost 90% was done in LR then with two curves augments for the mid tone (blacks then whites), then some USM.

    Hope this helps, but I can delete if you want, just let me know.

    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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    I like the RP Steve. The way the water splashes seem to reflect the golden sunlight on yours is very nice and it does clearly show the "too much blue" problem in the OP

    I dont believe there is much more room to the right in the original frame but will check the Raw later

    Whilst processing I tried to get a bit more detail showing through in the dark section from eye to snout but failed miserably

    Thanks a lot for throwing in some good options and processing tips ;)

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Shane you are most welcome and if it helps than I'm happy. Colour could be off as I said, but with nothing to gauge it on I had to take a judgement call, hopefully this is a starting point where you can further develop the image. Would also check as Rachel mentioned your steps for converting to web, as it does make a difference.
    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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    You did well to get them posing like this!
    Good RP by Steve but I like the blue in the water as well, feel that a colour balance midway between the two is ideal?
    I can imagine exposure being tricky when shooting like this on the open water with the sun bearing down on you.
    Morkel Erasmus

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