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Thread: Younger Fred 2009

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Default Younger Fred 2009

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    This was one first images I captured of Fred in 2009.

    Was still using the Fuji back then with a Nikon F4 500 M/F.

    He was in his prime then, with all his canines.
    During this capture he was doing the marathon mating thing with his female, managed to capture him lying down while taking a break between sessions.
    I have many more images of this male, he got more grumpier as he got older..(sounds familiar)

    Hope to see him again in September, but the state he was in when I captured him February this year, I doubt it- but there is still the hope...

    Camera technology has come a long way since then, as has software, I was giving it a rework.

    Any suggestions welcomed to better this image to give this legendary lion the presence he deserves.

    Fuji S5 PRO
    Nikon 500 F4
    1/350 at F8
    ISO 400

    Andre
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Andre nice relaxed pose after his session , looked definitely better in his prime……. like we all do.
    I quite like the framing , not too tight for my liking with some nice tonal depth and really good colors for my taste.
    Only technical thing for me are the choked blacks in the gums and the eyes, i think they appear a tad to solid with no detail .

    But there is always room for improvement ……… at least from my POV , i just removed the two grass stems and clicked that magic button i told you about , WDYT ?

    Cheers Andreas

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    Forum Participant BenBotha's Avatar
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    I like the repost. The blacks are definitely better. The white chin had more detail in the OP.
    Ben

  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Andreas, I like the RP.

    Was in two minds to remove the grasses
    Looks better without.

    Think one must mask the hot brights before pressing the "magic button"

    Andre
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  5. #5
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    No Andre - one just only forgot to reduce opacity of one layer after the magic button , becoming too sloppy by thinking it just works ……………….. without thinking or controlling the result, learned a lesson .
    Cheers Andreas

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Andre - Back home and on calibrated monitor so agree with comments on choked blacks. It's great that you have gotten to watch Fred over the years and so have images at different times. You can probably put together a study/series of him over the years.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Andre, I like the eye contact, however I feel now you would have achieved a far better image given your knowledge now. Andreas has certainly pulled out more tonality and life out of the OP. I wonder if a little more selective USM on the nose may help? I do however like the composition and cropping, just not always achievable with animals like this and being so close.

    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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    Lovely image indeed Andre, i too like Andreas RP and the removal of the grass. And my fist impression Steve has now mentioned, perhaps a little selective sharpening around his nose and upper lip. Otherwise great image.

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    HI Andre,

    you got already lots of feedback above. Love the look of this nice chap. The RP of Andreas indeed boosts it up a bit.


    Ciao Anette

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    A well detailed shot that makes me want to reach out and pet this guy between the eyes. Always nice to encounter old subjects again. Have a deer I've been crossing paths with since its first winter in 2008.

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for comments!

    Rachel, had the idea on my mind for a while now, will see how to compose and choose images for such a file.
    Bit tied up now, will do RP as soon as time allows.
    The original raw is not as sharp as I would like it to be (M/F and or SS), but I will it another go.
    Thanks for the USM suggestions, Steve and Brendon!
    Thank you Anette!

    Steve, it makes returning to a place more special to hope to see an old friend again, albeit the friendship is one-sided

    Andre
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Do not ask what I have done, wild experiment with lab colour, different blending modes in level adjustments with different fill. Can not repeat it or fix it!!?!
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  13. #13
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Andre , looks like you got lost on the way , mostly not good .
    I prefer your OP to this version , i think your move into LAB has produced some ´fancy´ coloring in the mane at a low percentage .Plus i do find the OP more detailed , sorry Andre.

    Cheers Andreas

  14. #14
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Andre, I agree with Andreas, I think you did lose your way in the labyrinth of PP based on the above RP, keep it simple and don't over complicate things, the OP wasn't too far off.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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