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The Chase
Hey Guys - I couldn't find the additional options tab/section to attach the image so I have brought it in via URL

I captured this image in the Savuti Region on the 31st of December 2014. These two young dogs where part of a large pack of about 21 dogs and where playing around our vehicles the for close on an hour before bounding into the bush after an Impala.
EXIF Info
Canon EOS 1D MK III
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 MK I
ISO 400
f/5.6
1/1000sec
Beanbag on the vehicle door to stabalise the lens.
I shot this image in monochrome, brought it into Adobe Lightroom (converted to black and white) and applied minor slider changes as well as lens correction, sharpening + masking. Slightly cropped from the top left, (dogs were a little to central in frame for me).
I wanted to capture the intense concentration that appeared on the chasing dogs face as he was determined to catch the dog in front of him.
Please give me your honest opinions.
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Lifetime Member
Hi Timothy - As a Forum Participant rather than a member you have to host your images elsewhere rather than upload them to BPN's server so that's why you couldn't find that section. I do think you captured the intense look that you wanted I just wish the heads weren't intersecting so much. Right now the oof dog is too dominant in the image for me. I think if they weren't intersecting it would lessen that feel for me. Obviously this is personal feel and others may feel differently. Nice low pov but I do wish for a little more room below for them to run into.
I'm curious as to why you shot in monochrome rather than capturing in color and converting in pp so that you would at least have the info for a color image. It does look like the light may have been a bit harsh as areas of the backs of both animals seem to lack detail.
It would be great if you would add your thoughts about other people's images. We recommend posting comments on at least 3-5 other wildlife images each time you post one of your own. It helps to foster a sense of community and let's us all learn from each other.
TFS,
Rachel
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Wildlife Moderator
Hi Timothy, overall I like the image, I like the OOF FG dog with the sharper dog in the BKG with a clearly visible eye. Personally I think you got the right dog sharp. It conveys the chase will and I like the placement in fame too, lovely angle of the banking dog and the spray adds to the scene. Agree with Rachel, not sure why you shot mono when it's a simple change in the RAW conversion. I'm not sure if the rear dog is sharp and whether it just needs some more USM. Having an opacity strip at the foot is distracting as it shortens the depth visually to the image and if removed may address Rachel's observation as you can still have your name within the image, but perhaps places left or right.
Embracing the last comment Rachel made will help your overall development as you can pick up lots of nuggets and the interaction element is fun too.
TFS
Steve
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A nice different presentation with the 2nd dog in focus. And you did capture the intensity that you wished! I do agree that the full face of the 2nd dog would have been ideal. Still, a great running posture of the OOF dog & the flying spray.
As for commenting on other images. This has HUGELY helped me see and think about getting good wildlife images, both field situations and at the computer. The price of membership is more than worth it!
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Thank you so much for the Crit and Comments. I will head over to the forum and have a look at a few other images and let them know what I think about them :)
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Oh and the reason I shot predominately is monochrome even though it is a simple conversion later is because I see the tones within the image clearer in monochrome so prefer reviewing an image in monochrome. Shooting in RAW the image returns to colour in Lightroom regardless so I still have the colour image
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BPN Member
Hi Timothy welcome to the wildlife forum a nice starter you posted .
You got good comments and suggestions by the others above in which i agree and do not repeat .
I would be interested how you judge tonality on that BIIIG !!!! 3" screen
? What you see on then screen is just small JPG and not the real tonality that is captured , if you shoot RAW !!!
But always good to hear other ways of approaching stuff .
Cheers Andreas
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Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator
Hello Timothy,
First of all I would like to tell you I had a look at your website end liked what I saw, nice work and I hope you post some of those lovely images on BPN Wildlife.
I am enjoying viewing this wild dog image, when I opened the thumbnail my eyes were instantly led to the "chasing" character and I just loved that determination on his face. One humble suggestion I have is, if possible, to brighten his face a tad, particularly on the muzzle and nose, the blacks appear a bit chocked on my screen. Another round of sharpening (as already suggested by Mr. Kaluski) might benefit this character, I agree:)
Kind regards, keep up the good work:)
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BPN Member
Hey Timbo! Good to see you posting and good to see some images from your trip...
I like how the chasing dog's eye is visible, and the tonal contrast is nicely handled.
I too think it's hard to really judge the tonality of the image based on camera LCD review, but it can certainly give you a quick feel for the potential of an image in mono...
Looking forward to your participation here...
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Yeah I agree, I don't often look at the back LCD while shooting. It's only when I have a moment I look at the screen and its then that the monochrome preview helps me :)