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Thread: The Feeling of Smallness

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default The Feeling of Smallness

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    ...I do not know why I keep seeking this feeling of smallness and even find delight in it... Humiliated in the presence of the powerful and mean, I am awed by the powerful and noble: this lioness has made an impression on me since 2009 and I connect her presence and appearance with the idea of power and nobility... being close to her and having the opportunity to observe and photograph her gave me the feeling I was establishing a connection with a greater power - Mother Nature - and reminded me each and every time of my insignificance and frailty.

    Nature is truly sublime and it often makes me aware of our limitations, I wish my image could give justice to the beauty of this lioness.

    Comments and critique much welcome and appreciated.

    Techs:

    Nikon D4
    Nikon 500mm F4
    ISO 400
    F 7.1
    1/2500s
    Gabriela Plesea

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    I like this one too. f i was today to change anything I would add to the contrast for more pop but that is personal taste. Nice one Gabriela!

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default RP1

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    Hello Dumay,

    Thank you so much for your kind comments and suggestions, here's an RP for you - WDYT? Do you think it still fits into the idea of Hi Key?

    Hope you have a wonderful week-end,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela - A nice intimate portrait though I am not sure why you keep going to b&w or toned with your high key images. How about in color? I think both versions fit within high key though I might prefer something between the two versions. In the first, while I am ok with the lower contrast, it feels as if your processing of the bg is encroaching on the ears.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    A very nice image Gabriela. I like the details, the B&W works for me and comp is very good.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you dear Rachel and Sanjeev,

    I have struggled with B/W in the past and tried to experiment a bit more, given the theme.

    Hi Key colour version appeals to me a lot but I have to find the right image Busy searching for one!

    Wishing you a fun week-end,

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, I like the RP very much, personally I would try to ensure the BKG is all white, but then it may look too sterile or 'in a studio' .

    TFS
    Steve

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you Steve, for this reason this time around I tried to avoid the "studio" effect I once had a similar image taken years back in the KTP where, probably because of late afternoon light, I had a perfect soft pink BG with a lioness as a subject! Add my old ways of processing with over the top saturation and vibrance, you can only imagine what that looked like - a real studio shot, LOL. Maybe I'll share it with you one day, I am quite embarrassed about it now...
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, no one should ever feel embarrassed about their images from previously times, this to me is all about our transition and learning and at times making big steps, or simple steps in this learning curve we are all on. I bet if you were to process the lioness now you would be quite amazed.

    Rest assured, we ALL have some 'corkers' hiddenin the closest.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    You made me look through my oldest folders tonight, found a few images I will never share on this Forum but I laughed out so hard when I saw them, so did Andre:) He asked me to send you one, it is on its way. It has a pink frame:) If we had a forum to post these "corkers", as you call them, I will be awarded "Corker of the week" every week And Andreas would have a field day critiquing my images, LOL
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    If we had a forum to post these "corkers", as you call them,
    May be we should Gabriela, as it may help those who lurk, or restrain from posting for whatever reason, or are just shy etc, as I think it could be quite competitive, but most of all, it shows we can make mistakes and are only human.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela i really like the OP as is with that side look of the lioness . I am ok with the conversion and no need for color for me. For me the RP is not an improvement , because there is too much coarse stuff introduced in the shadows . The mid tones do look flat to me, but that is of course just my view .
    So in the end i would experiment a bit more with this , even in color !

    Why only me do i have such a bad reputation ? So please create your own sub forum for your corkers , i can fill it too with mine . Ps i am not too shy , but would think it is not worth the time to work on.

    TFS Andreas , have a wonderful week ahead ......... i am off work for a full week .

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    I like the contrast in the RP but the BG from the original...I like the image a lot. Its something I would hang on my wall.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Why only me do i have such a bad reputation ?
    Andreas, because we all love you for your nit-picking, and in order to keep doing so you must keep nit-picking, and remain consistent about it Just kidding, I like your honest crits and enquiring mind, as well as your experimenting and not being afraid to share your experiments.

    Yep I see there's some coarseness there and I will do another RP, somewhere in-between and Dumay is right about the BG-thanks friends, much appreciated! Dumay, if I get this 100% right with BG and all and if you like it I will send it to you:) Any chance of meeting you in the KTP some day?

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    I am not sure if all love that , but ............. it is me , you know personally how i am , so you have an advantage . You know my soft side .

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    I prefer the OP for its fade into the BG from the chest area. Just enough contrast for me and the detail is excellent.

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela and I prefer the RP for several things

    Very nice moment of this lioness and again I can see a flea sitting right beside upper left whisker. Did you see that?
    The conversion is very nice, good experimenting with that. It is much fun.

    Have a great eve

    Ciao
    Anette

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

    Thank you so much for finding the time to view and comment, still experimenting with the Theme and I really appreciate your feedback:)
    No fleas in the Kalahari but I will investigate what is going on above the whiskers Interesting point you made and it reminded me of these insects called "tampans" - kind of a sticky fly and often animals pick them up when lying under the shade of a tree, so annoying for the poor lions...

    Shall keep learning-thank you again for your input-really appreciate it!

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
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    Gabriela
    I love both this shots; so descriptive of her power, majesty and vulnerability.

    Kind regards, Charleen

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you Charleen,

    So kind of you to comment, really appreciate it.

    Love to see you are also experimenting, I am following your progress with much interest Keep up the good work and keep posting - BPN Wildlife is a great forum to be part of, and the moderators and members very helpful - I have learnt a lot from everyone, still lots to learn:)

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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