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Thread: Sea Lion at ISO4000 (1D Mark IV)

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    Default Sea Lion at ISO4000 (1D Mark IV)

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    I was fortunate enough last weekend during a family trip to the coastal town of Sooke on Vancouver Island to have the opportunity to scout out a local sea lion colony with my uncle Bob on board his fishing boat (I think these are Steller Sea Lions - not California, but correct me if I am wrong, please.).

    Pretty impressed at the IQ for ISO4000 in this image and thanks to Steve K for adding a few pointers behind the scenes to help me maximise this post processing (Steve, please chip in further as I didn't get a chance to run this latest version by you).

    Camera Techs | Canon 1D Mark IV | 500mm F4 V.II | @F4 | 1/400| ISO4000 | Full Frame | Manual mode |Handheld | Rocking boat | 5:32PM - rough water due to previous days storm.

    Processing | RAW in LR4 - general adjustments and reduced reds and magenta present in the fur | PS CS6 - Mid tone and Light tone adjustment, and then a lightness reduction on a separate low opacity layer mask, mostly around the body and rock area | Resized for web - NR - and 2x USM.

    Jamie

    Stoked that I know have regular access to this colony so hopefully I can get out during breeding season and pup time next year.
    Last edited by Jamie Douglas; 11-07-2013 at 01:05 AM.

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    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
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    Good to see that camera being pushed to its limits! I think this is a nice shot, but perhaps the colours are a little off. I wasn't there, but I think it's lacking midtone contrast and there's perhaps an opportunity for more sharpening? I will have a go and post a version once there's some other comments too, if you like?
    Ed

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Jamie - great that you'll have extended access to the colony. Very regal pose here and the lichens on the rock really add to the image. Nice creamy bg. Very good sharpness from rough seas at just 1/400. I'll be interested in Ed's rp but I like this as presented a lot.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Jamie, it needs beefing up matey, I appreciate shooting from a boat is very hard and you did well, but placement of the subject needs to be more to the left, i.e. moving the whole crop to the right.

    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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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Jamie,

    what a proud position of this chap Colorwise I have no idea how they look. So for me good to go. Comp Steve mentioned already. You maybe have the space… use it
    The rock this one is sitting on is great as well. Also like it that you did not sharpened that one so much

    Ciao
    Anette

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    Jamie. regal pose, lovely BG with the trees behind. I would wish for a little more space on top and right to give space for the sea lion looking into. Loi

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    I like the pose and setting on the lichen-covered rock a lot, Jamie.
    I also like the reddish tones in his coat - though I have no clue how these guys are "supposed" to look.
    Good points above on the comp/placement. I would try and get more tonal depth/form in the body but not sure if the high ISO file can take it?
    Worth also perhaps toning down BG luminosity a tad?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Jamie,
    good job on this High ISO shot.
    I think nicely processed.
    Like the crop as presented and the low POV.Looking like a king is watching you, and these guys are big, think it is a Steller, seen them myself. Not sure about the reds in the fur, i think would give them a different tone and coloration, they are some kind of red, but not in this way, i think.
    The rock is looking really great with the lichens.
    I am with Morkel about tonal depth in the body.

    TFS Andreas

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    Cheers for the feedback everyone and I appreciate all your honesty and input.

    Here is the RAW file. This sea lion's fur does appear to be a little richer in colour compared to others I have seen and I am not sure if its time of year change or what.

    As for the comp. This is full frame and what I have learnt with the 1D Mark IV at high ISO is you need to have the AF point dead on otherwise the detail drops off significantly. The sea lion also hardly acknowledged us so it was a fight between the boat bobbing up and down and timing any eye contact from the sea lion. Personally the framing was something I worried about form the get go but it has grown on me.

    I'll look at beefing this up. When I went back to the post this morning I realised I had been reserved on beefing it up and pretty sure the IQ can handle a fraction more beefing.

    Many thanks folks

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    Here is a repost with an increase in expanded mid tones.

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    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
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    Your final RP is the best I think, although I also like the feel of it out of camera. I played with the colours but then re-read what people were saying and saw your RAW and seems that they are about right. Anyway, I couldn't do anything better so I happily defer to you on that one.
    It was clearly a struggle to get a nice sharp shot and you did well. I also agree about needing to get the AF right on at high ISO. Very unforgiving.
    Ed

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    RP is better IMHO, greater depth of tone, it's the way to go Jamie.

    You better let me know if you want a smaller, faster lens...
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Your last repost is great Jamie. I quite like the comp here. Also enjoy that 'squiff' look his eye seems to be engaging you with. Lovely colours and tone. Magnificent regal pose of a great specimen of a Sea Lion

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    Thanks guys. I also like what came out of camera, the nice golden light just creeping in and complimeting the lichen, hmmmm

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Jamie, it might be a compromise, a combination of the two images, as both have their own characteristics, but to get to where I think you want to go I would double process. I think that answers your question?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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