Dangerous Dance

[Morkel Erasmus]

Following on from my last post: One of the most intense mornings I've ever experienced in the wild...
I was the only one at this sighting at the crack of dawn in the East of Etosha.


If you want to read the whole account of this amazing sighting I had ALL BY MYSELF in Etosha last year, then head on to my blog where I've posted 2 episodes of a 3-part series already.


1: The Prelude - http://bit.ly/liongiraffe1
2: The Dance - http://bit.ly/liongiraffe2


Light was low and DOF/SS was at a premium...


To get 2-3 lions and a giraffe all in focus I would have needed f11, as even f8 would have been too shallow for some of the sequences. I didn't want to switch cameras in such a sighting, as using the D3s would have given me more speed and a more comfortable very high ISO usage.

That being said, I wish I'd shot at f5.6 and 1/320 or 1/400 and at a higher ISO just for that hint more sharpness in all the shots. Looked fine on the viewfinder in the field and I need to trust the D800 more at higher ISOs as it can handle it.



Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 130mm
f4.0 | 1/250 SS | ISO-1400

[Loi Nguyen]

Morkel, stunning image and wonderful sighting. DOF looks quite decent at F4! The near square crop is a bit awkward I think. Not sure if you have an alternative crop? TFS. Loi

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Loi. The square crop is semi-forced due to busy trees and foliage either side, but I quite like the triangle the subjects form within it...

[Steve Kaluski]

A powerful image Morkel, but this is life.

I still feel, as per previous images of the series, pulling back the Cyan helps, not just for the sky, but I think it's creeping into the head, WDYT?

Look forward to catching up in a couple of weeks time.

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Steve
already pulled cyan and blue down a lot! but will have another look

see you soon, DV

[Steve Kaluski]

Morkel, if you take the dry river bed (?) stones as your neutral you can get quite a good RGB balance almost a straight 50, which direction you then go is personal choice and your recollection re WB, but it takes a little more blue out of it, plus dropping the Blue globally to -75. I added a slight amount of warmth then to the subjects and green vegetation, then an adjustment layer for the sky which gives you total control, just a thought.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Steve - I have done a bottom layer with warming filter and colour balance while keeping the blue in the sky, but will do some droppers as well (why didn't I try that!)

[Steve Kaluski]

but will do some droppers as well (why didn't I try that!)

Set the slider to the far left so you have just three squares, unless you are a whizz at the Rubik cube and prefer millions of wee, tiny squares, it's easier. Not sure if this helps, % of blue sky is personal and obviously limited to 256 colours.

[Andrew Robinson]

Hi Morkel, an amazing image. I can imagine that while it must be incredible to witness this it must be quite disturbing as well and this image portrays this to me really well. Difficult for me to comment on the colours never having seen these animals in the wild but an amazing shot.

Andrew

[Neil Burton]

Only nit with the OP is the sky and I think that can be faded a little, the rest I am fine with. What a sighting!

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - Fantastic sighting and story telling image. The giraffe looks resigned to its fate. Did it kick the lions at all? The comp works for me and I agree about your point about the triangle. Will leave the color to you and Steve as am on uncalibrated netbook. See you soon!

TFS,
Rachel

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel already said that somewhat earlier , must have been a stunning experience ……..
I quite like the overall image in tone,contrast and comp .But i have to agree to Steve regarding color . I think if you like you could address that .

TFS Andreas

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks everyone. Used my standard "dropper" values here, and then selectively desaturated the giraffe's head from blue and cyan.
Top cloud is pretty accurate.
WDYT now?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel a step in the "right " direction , actually i still do find Steve`s colors more "natural " looking. I think there is a point where you have to say it is just a personal preference .And i cannot define what i do find " incorrect", do not get me wrong on that.

Cheers Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Morkel,

Saw the thumbnail and decided I was going to keep this as a "treat"... and what a treat it was indeed, to look at!
I liked the vibrant colours of the OP (including the sky), glad to see the slight cyan on the giraffe's face has been dealt with in your RP above. Steve's version is also great, but his sky is too pale for me

Amazing action well captured Morkel, lots of drama, intent on the young lion's face (on the right) and indeed resignation from the victim as she is being dragged down by the other male. I cannot help but notice the condition these lions are in

Great stuff Morkel, congratulations!

[edwardselfe]

Yikes - not a nice ending for that giraffe. It's hard enough watching buffalo but this must have been brutal! Great image with good processing. I too would tone down the cyan sky even in RP but that's my only comment.
Ed