We are lucky enough to have a pod of about 11 Hippo's at a spot on the Sabi River where we can walk down to and get pretty close with great afternoon light. Every time I walk down with guests they gape and put on a show but every time I go down in my private time they do pretty much 'very little'. But soon I will get the dream gape shot in perfect afternoon light.
Canon 5D MKIII
Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS + Canon 1.4 ExtII @ 420mm
AV f5
TV 1/2000
ISO 500
Hi Dumay - Excellent low pov and beautiful late afternoon light. The splash and bubbles add to the image. We couldn't get the hippos to do much either even with Steve trying to "talk" to them.
Like the lighting, clean BG and hint of a bow wave here.
When I initially saw the thumbnail, I was hoping you captured the twin nostril vapour snort, I'm sure you'll get many more opportunities Dumay.
Hi Dumay very lovely colors and great low POV .Super fine sharp where it counts , still like your way of sharpening as in the past.
It looks a bit dark overall , just saying this from here , a subjective opinion , you have been there.The hippo could also stand some more Oomph , just me is saying that .
So i tried to post you an RP , but you did not reply , so i post it here .Hope you do not mind , WDYT ?
TFS Andreas
Thanks folks, Andreas, I just got your mail now...I don't mind you reposting at all. I like the lightened version too but no more than the original. I feel there is enough detail in the original. I think this will be about taste. Thanks for taking the time to rework it.
Lovely light here mate. Agree both versions work - perhaps somewhere in between for my tastes.
You should just take your tracker and some colleagues with you next time you go down - it seems they distinguish between one human and a bunch of humans
Hi Dumay, like the colours and low POV. Having the head bathed in water may diffuse some of the sharpness/clarity producing that almost 'silky look to the head. I'm sure your perseverance will pay off and you get the open mouth.
Thanks Morkel and Steve...Morkel I will try your suggestion
Steve I did see what you see when I looked at the raw and the only thing I thought was the spray and the water that affected the clarity.