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Thread: Baboon..? (C)

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    Default Baboon..? (C)

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    Hi Guys

    I have been to the local Zoo again so I can come and play in your sandpit, for a few images anyway... I am not sure what sort of Baboon this is actually, although I know there would have been multiple signs explaining just that. It was taken after just after closing time and I was lingering to catch the animals that seemed a lot more relaxed after the masses had left.. So I had one eye on the subject while I was photographing and the other scanning for zookeepers wanting to shoo me out. That left no eyes free for looking at the sign.. I need another eye...

    1D4 and 500 F4 on 5 series gitzo and Wimberley head.
    1/160 sec @ F7.1 at 2000 ISO, this is full frame. I don't usually go to 2000 but light was falling quickly and I think I might have got away with it this time...

    I processed in ACR, mainly levels, removed a stick/stump coming in mid frame RHS and I have lightened the eyes and surrounds slightly. A bit of selective sharpening with the NIK package and Bob's your uncle (all done)..

    regards to you all

    Don

    PS I am quite happy with this image, but what do you think??

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    I think you'll find this is a Hamadryas baboon Don, found in the rocky/dry regions of Ethiopia/Somalia etc, I have some old slide film of these guys going back to '82 when a group of us crossed the Sahara desert in convoy, in my misspent youth .

    Love the pose, BG and details you've extracted here, I'd try lightening the eyes/face just a tad more for mine and did so playing with levels from this jpg and it did produce more pop.

    Also would have preferred more of the dark BG on his right but understand this is F/F.

    TFS


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    Thanks for the comments and the ID Marc.. I will have a play with your suggestions.. I forgot to mention that I have already burned the BG on the LH border, it looked a lot worse than shown. From memory its another Baboon, I will spend more time on that too... Crossing the Sahara huh... now that's an adventurous youth...

    regards

    Don

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    This is beautiful, Don! Been staring at this portrait I don't know how long - I like this very much.

    I think it is the expression from those lovely brown and slightly sunken eyes, kind of sad and longing, but perhaps I am just imagining it, knowing it has been taken in the Zoo? My first thought was also the need to lighten the eyes, and by all means try it, yet take care not to loose that sad and resigned look that is so emotionally appealing. Wish you had just a tad more at the top, other than that I like everything about this - stunning work, would love to see more from you.

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Don- I'm always glad when you play in our sandbox. I too really like this. Primates are so expressive and you have captured that here. Techs look good and you were able to get away with the slow ss with the tripod and static subject. Good suggestions by Marc and Gabriela for taking this up a notch.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Gabriela. thank you for your comments, and I am especially glad you like it. I too find the zoo a little depressing at times, I see some of the animals and I wonder how they feel.. I think their could be a good debate generated wether we should have zoos or not... However there is usually a lot of protection offered for rare species so its a bit double edged. I wish they were in much larger areas where the animals could be animals, instead of living pictures.

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    Hi Rachel

    I would make my way to this sandpit a lot more often if I had something to offer, the vibe is good and the advice is legendary.. IMHO anyway.. thanks for your comments..

    best regards

    DON

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Don, a cracking image and impressive techs. The slight angle head is priceless, likewise the hair do. Perhaps a little Channel curves adjustment or Midtone adjustment would help the face and extract a bit more tonal detail? The BKG just works and separates the subject, yes, to have an even, overall BKG would be far better, so I would explore blowing some colour back in, it will make a big difference, likewise extending the canvas above a wee bit more.

    Cool image, i just think a few little tweaks will really elevate the image.

    TFS
    Steve

    PS I haven't forgotten, I will be in touch.

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    Hi Guys, My repost... I have extended top of frame and cropped a little off the bottom to maintain the 4:6 ratio. I have also darkened the BG a little more, lightened the eyes and slightly lightened the shadows under the chin. Finally I lightened the Baboon all over to lift the brightest whites to my never exceed 240 (ish) value... I might have one more crack at this image because I am (1) not that happy with the masking of the edge of fur, its difficult but no excuses ... and (2) The lightening around the eyes has washed out the colour a bit, so instead of adjusting levels I might explore other options, Steve suggested curves which will allow both contrast and levels to be tweeked..

    regards to you all

    DON

    Steve, as always thanks for the valuable comments. I think you have answered all my questions, unless my dithering brain has forgotten something...

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Don , love this ....... great portrait of this specimen with a nice look and the tilted head.Good you kept the keepers away and got the shot.

    RP looks slightly better ........ but i feel there is more to coax out , remember personal feelings some times .
    So my RP is maybe a bit too strong , but WDYT ?

    Cheers Andreas

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    Hi Andreas, thanks for the comments and opening my eyes further. your post has convinced me that I should also push my processing further. You have extracted a lot more detail and yes maybe you went a little too far, but I think somewhere in between yours and my repost would be good. Thanks again for your help

    Don

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Don, the RP has certainly elevated the image and you have extracted far more now from the original capture. It's great to see how the images takes shape and proves just how much information, detail & content you actually captured within the RAW file itself. I agree with you, that in parts it's a combination of your RP & Andreas, great work.

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    Thanks Steve...

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hi Don,

    I was away yesterday but looked forward to see what you did with this image - so glad to discover your RP and I really like what you did, I also like those subtle changes from Andreas! Yep, somewhere in-between is what my heart desires...Well done on capturing and processing, and spending some extra time on this really paid off-congratulations!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Thank you Gabriela.. Still a work in progress, got busy on other things in the weekend..

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