Image taken from boat near Selinda camp. This is the matriarch of a large herd of elephants. She led the herd crossing the spillway. The grass was tall and when we were in our boat, we couldn't really see the elephants. But they ate their way thru. I had a lot of trouble with this series. the light was a bit harsh (3:30-4PM), and the light angle was difficult. Our guides picked a spot near the end of the spillway to park our boats and once there, we just sat and waited for the herd to cross. I used the Graduated filter in LR5 to process the sky -- Yeah!! finally got something useful out of this tool -- darkened it and reduced ts color temp. Cloned out a small artifacts in the sky.
5D3
70-200f2.8 II @ 135 mm
1/400
F11
ISO-800
Handheld from boat
Cropped a sliver off the right and top due to protrusion of a bar from the boat.
I'm pleased with the results as i thought this image couldn't be saved.
Hi Loi ,
lovely elephant feeding on waters edge .Nicely framed and composed, i like the inclusion of the water at a good percentage .I like the basic colors and that you brought back the sky in a good way .
I personally do not like the gradient in ACR /LR because it is visible where you ended with the tool , the top of the reeds are darker than the rest . So i would use a channel in PS to overcome that by using it as a mask , you have more control about the result.
I feel the image is in the same stage as your Giraffe RP , for me it needs a bit more kick , oomph , as always personal preferences.
For illustration a quick RP , remember must not be final stage , just an idea .
Loi, I like the combination of the huge, rotund ellie surrounded by the even taller reeds. And the interesting details with her trunk actively reaching out and grass already in her mouth plus one nice tusk showing. I struggle with similar color & pop issues and am glad for the opportunity to see and study the reposts.
Hi Adreas, the last RP has more pop and I think it looks the best. Have not tried to do anything with channel yet, so that is something I will need to learn. Thank you. Loi
Nice low "on the water" POV, Loi, and nicely framed. Andreas and Andre both posted nice reposts with a bit more tonal kick. With variable "horizon lines" like reeds, trees etc I always try and end the grad tool in LR above the distinct jutting points, it masks and blends itself anyway to a degree below your ending line.