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Thread: La Gioconda (of the Primate Species)

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default La Gioconda (of the Primate Species)

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    Hello Friends,

    Been in doubt whether to post this or not since I really like the expression captured here, but the high ISO and my rushed processing due to lack of time (and patience thereof) did not help much. Was planning to re-process but spent a great deal of time tonight familiarising myself with the recent (and very impressive) Wildlife posts and it is already late, soon I have to go to bed yet I cannot resist posting something of my own. Your comments and critique might give me that much needed motivation to go back and do an RP, so you are welcome to let me have your thoughts!

    Image taken in the Kruger National Park, at Shigwedzi. Last light of the day and this character only sat for a few seconds; I managed to press the shutter button right in time to capture this interesting, almost enigmatic expression and those fascinating eye lids that instantly made me think of La Gioconda, therefore the title.

    Nikon D3S
    F5.6
    ISO 12800
    1/1000s (was aiming at this shutter speed in order to capture some youngsters playing around)
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela - Welcome back! I am amazed that you were able to get so close to a baboon. They all ran away or were high up in the trees whenever we saw them. I love those eyes and the expression though not sure it reminds me of the Mona Lisa, maybe something to do with the crumbs on the face. I think of the Mona Lisa as more elegant than that. I never realized that baboons had so much red in the face though some is probably from the warm light. Although there is a loss of some detail and the introduction of some noise due to the very high ISO, I still think it is an impressive image and well processed for ISO 12800. While it might not make a great print, it certainly works for a web posting. Looking forward to seeing more from your trip to Kruger.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    I do love the expression but feel it deserves a little more time. Less contrast will also help lower the noise and this has too much contrast for my tastes. Saying that it is pretty **** impressive what cameras can capture these days!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, welcome back and nice to know you too had a good time in this location.

    The expression is priceless, although it does convey someone who is 'a few fries short of a happy meal' LOL. I agree with Neil backing off a little in Contrast will help, if you are going to play with the slider, move it to the left, not to the right . I think you could have sacrificed a little of the SS for more DoF based on 1/1000, but agree you were fighting light and you may not have had a significant SS after all. I do however feel the crop is not working completely here, perhaps square? I would also look to adding some NR too via masking. Not too sure based on your intro if it's over worked, or just a culmination of things, you know what I mean, just crossing over that, oh I will add that to the PP?
    Great to have you back and interacting with existing/previous threads, it's very much welcomed.

    TFS
    Steve

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela and a warm welcome back, hope you guys had a good time in Kruger.
    Very nice one to start with a very funny almost human expression in the face .
    Technical issues already covered by the others in which i agree , but i am ok with the crop as presented .
    I like all the different colors and tones in the subject , but would ease off on contrast .

    TFS Andreas

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default RP

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    Dearest Rachel, Neil, Steve and Andreas,

    I am so glad to be back home - and by "home" I mean BPN Wildlife.

    I always feel welcome here and you are all so kind to accommodate me and my "stories". I often try to abstain from writing lengthy explanations of things and places I have seen and captured, yet sometimes I cannot help it - I am passionate about Nature and its subjects, and this is the forum I feel most comfortable with because I am able to share my emotions and feelings about those creatures I worship. I take it you don't mind?

    The title of this image might seem perhaps offending towards beautiful and enigmatic Mona Lisa, yet in all honesty this was the thought that came to mind when I aimed the camera at my subject. Some of you might laugh if I mentioned that the sighting aroused in me a degree of awe and respect for this old chap. Even when not in my beloved Kalahari and among lions, the behaviour of certain creatures inspires me, I often feel so privileged to witness animal behaviour and my sense of awe sometimes turns into worship: I feel small and unimportant, if not inadequate. In other words, it humbles me.

    For this reason, sometimes I choose to post images that are not quite up to BPN standards, but I take a great deal of joy when I see that I managed to arouse a degree of interest - my need to share is greater than my PP skills. Talking about Photoshop, here's an attempt to correct some issues and I hope you'll see some improvements. Looking forwards to your critique and comments, and I thank you for taking the time to view.

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, although on the laptop tonight, this IMHO is far better and looks cool, but that is my take, it's all about how YOU wish to portray your images.

    For this reason, sometimes I choose to post images that are not quite up to BPN standards, but I take a great deal of joy when I see that I managed to arouse a degree of interest - my need to share is greater than my PP skills:
    No standards, you just have a greater understanding & awareness which you cannot buy, unlike PP skills, please do not change!

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela , RP is looking better , fits more to Mona Lisa .
    Good wording by Steve, agree with his last reply, no need to change

    Cheers Andreas

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dearest Steve and Andreas,

    I am afraid I am too old to change, but never too old to listen to your advice and suggestions and implement them-thank you so much for paying attention, for looking, and for thoughtfully sharing your thoughts-I appreciate it!

    Wishing you good night as well as a wonderful day tomorrow,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    ...and this is for you Steve
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Gabriela, lovely expression here! I prefer the "unflipped" version, and your 2nd post is way better than the original IMHO, more clarity, less harsh contrast, better exposition of the soft dusk light.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    nice capture Gabriela,like the second post best,great expression on it's face.TFS.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thanks Gabriela, but on this occasion facing right is far better, as per the second RP, it sits well, however the crop is personal taste.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello everyone, and thank you so much for your kind comments and suggestions, by unanimous decision the first OP stays, and unflipped!

    My apologies for taking so long to reply, was away yesterday as well as this morning.

    Enjoyed reading your feedback and glad I managed to improve this image with your help!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Gabriela
    A good decision in my humble view.
    JohnR

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    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
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    This is astonishing for the high ISO and I like the RP, although I would like just a shade more contrast but nothing like the OP which was too much, for me.
    Beautiful image as usual.
    Ed

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