Just going a bit more abstract and allowing the layer process of PP to help convey (IMHO) the gritty, leathery, tough, course, hide of the Rhino. Like Andreas's Impala, I wanted to retain a hint of background, not going to a bleached out one, that would look to stark and also to show off/highlight those fine hairs along the outer ear, easily lost in a more darker BKG. The deeper shadow in the folded back ear is in the original and I wanted to retain that, likewise just retaining some minimal tone within the brighter areas to bring 'contrast' to the look & feel, with just a hint of tonal colour.
Not everyones 'cup of tea' I know. Probably would have gone with ISO800 for a bit more SS.
Thanks for swinging by or commenting on the previous image.
Steve
Subject: Close up of a White Rhino's ear, textures & tone(Ceratotherium simum)
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 with ext, 560mm
Exposure: 1/160s at f/9 ISO400
Original format: Portrait, very slight crop.
Might be a touch on the sharp side Steve but I do like it.
I agree Neil, but I thought I would just push it a fraction, and I man a fraction, based on a previous comment by Andreas, so I just wanted to see the thoughts. Marmite yes, but occasionally you need to challenge yourself otherwise it's same old, same old and give the subject content I felt it was worth a punt and also add more into building on new stuff too.
Hi Steve , like this a lot .
Very nice and simple image design with a some great tone and textures .
I like the conversion and slight toning , very pleasing combo.
My first impression of the OP was ,well Steve found his way back , staying away from LR sharpening .Honestly i thought i was just a tad too strong . RP for me.
Specially the light halos ( as i always feel and say to others ) are causing the "problems" or " grittiness ".
Love this, Steve! Like the textures in the skin, the hairs on the end of the ear, and the soft BG. Very creative angle and nice conversion. Great work!
We are finally back on our computers after a whole day without electricity yesterday and another couple of hours today...Managed to have a glance at your Textures and Tones on my laptop yesterday and was so looking forward to see it on the big screen... at last I am able to see it properly now:) So forgive me for being late with my comments please...
I have developed an interest in B/W conversions for some time now but feel I have not done so well when it came to my PP work - I tend to overdo things in my desire to bring out detail. What I like and envy about your work - and the above is just one example - is the apparent simplicity and effortlessness the eye perceives when viewing. The tones are subtle, but they are there. The textures are present yet not overwhelming. Don't know about "marmite", I looked at this and thought " yes, a canvas print would be so lovely".
I read the above comments with great interest. I sometimes am so taken with the content that I do not see things to be improved, or changed. I noticed a suggestion to crop where I disagree, if this was mine I would not crop from the bottom, the slight OOF bits complement the OOF area at the top of the image, together they create this lovely 3D feel; there's a pleasant flow and I like the effect achieved, my eye is led to the prominent area of the frame which is of course the ear with that lovely detail.
In terms of sharpness I too prefer the RP. The crop is perfect to me and presentation superb. Hope to learn something from this, tonight I did an experiment with a conversion but it doesn't come close:) I have to start again...
Thank you for sharing, I so appreciate it and always a pleasure to view your images.
Well seen, framed/cropped and presented, Steve. Good detail, texture and tones.
Not everyone's cuppa, but fits the theme well and great to challenge yourself!