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Eye Contact
I have several shots of this beautiful momma, happily eating in the evening twilight in the Serengeti.
Was taken with Nikon D7100 / 70-300mm lens at 185mm ; ISO 200;/ f/5.0; 1/250. I then did some minor editing in LR then took it into NIK Efex for the effect.
So, there you have it; any suggestions etc you can provide will, as always be most welcome. Thanks
Charleen
Last edited by Charleen Ratcliff; 01-18-2015 at 01:27 PM.
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Hi Charleen - January's theme is High Key Images. February's theme is Eye Contact. We announce the themes at least a month in advance to give people a chance to shoot theme images. So I am removing the "theme" prefix so as not to confuse people unless you want to process it as a high key image. Please let me know.
As to the image itself, I'm not really a fan of the sort of antique toning. I do like the eye contact and the off-centered placement. You've brought out nice textures too. My biggest issue with the image is that I feel you needed to shoot wider to have room below for the legs and a bit more. As is, it feels a bit truncated (no pun intended).
TFS,
Rachel
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Thanks Rachel, sorry if I jumped the proverbial gun!
Yes you are correct in saying I could have done the shot wider...too many shots of feet getting cut off! So that is something I can work on.
I suppose it is matter of personal taste but I am quite fond of antique toning as well as other types, No problem there!
I would make a contribution to 'high key' images for January but don't know what that means! So if you have a chance perhaps you could let me know what that entails?
Many thanks! Charleen
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Charleen - the traditional definition of a high key image is a brighter image with little contrast or shadows and the vast majority of tones above a mid-grey. Take a look at some of the various theme image threads, it's been discussed in a few of them as well.
Rachel
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Hi Charleen,
how exactly did you do the effect in NIK? The elli has a great look, details are very good as far LR goes. Sadly the legs missing, no deal breaker for me.
The conversion is not quite my style either, but this more a taste matter. I see in the conversion that much more can be done with it.
Have a great eve
Ciao Anette
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Nice texture and contrast. I like the fact you tried the this conversion. We don't see anything like this usually. More room all around probably would have been better. TFS Charleen!
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Thanks Anette
This is only perhaps the 3rd time I have used NIK....so I will go back in it today and play with it...let me know what suggestions you might have for 'doing more with it'.
Kind regards,Charleen
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Thanks Dumay, I was trying to direct the viewers eyes to the face of the face of the elephant....can always take it back in and work on it some more!
I am partial to effects...must be my training in art where I focused on pen and ink / black & white drawings 
Kind regards, Charleen
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Hi Charlene , i was thinking should i start with a positive comment or should just be honest with you , saying this is just my personal view not a general
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As an image it is not working for me , because the unnatural vignette is not my favorite and the color/toning likewise . Sorry
. I do not mind that much the crop .
As a general tip , as you are a beginner i would stay away from plugins i.e. NIK , it gives you great results at the first look , but you do not know what the software is doing to the image
. I would start to learn the basic stuff and keep it simple in your workflow , learn about image tonality , how to target specific tones and edit them , learn about luminosity masks ,levels , curves , sharpening, local contrast . And if you know more or less what you are doing , than i would maybe go to soft i.e. NIK .
Picking up Steve K´s words , this does look somehow " Oldie Worldly "
Hope you understand my points , but you can go your way if you like !
TFS looking for me from you
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Hi there Andreas, thanks for your response; and you can just say it how you see and feel it...I may not agree but that is what makes life interesting! The OP was not cropped just straightened a tad - I am a 'crooked horizon shooter'! 
Just for the record, I know a LOT about LR - am on it everyday, experimenting, watching tutorials, getting feedback from my mentor Anette M. then practicing again. I am like a sponge, soaking up everything I can, learning, throwing out what doesn't work.
And for me, the original post works - OK - almost works for me, needs some adjustments in NIK, which I will do but will not repost that one as no one but me seems to like it, which is a big okay for me! 
What I am reposting is the original with edits done in LR only and certainly welcome any suggestions / comments you may want to suggest. The problem I have with this is the sky, the shot was at dusk, so the sky was that in between blue and grey with tints of pink from the soon to be setting sun....cannot get that right.
So many thanks Andreas, and everyone for your comments and will do the RP.
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Ok Charleen , sorry i thought your are a rookie when it comes to image editing , may be i got you wrong . I did not know that you know a LOT about PP work .
It is ok if you as the artist like your image , and that is the most important point !!!!
We all can agree or disagree to images or comments ,a good learning curve is mostly included
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Cheers Andreas
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LOL! Well Andreas, by your excellent standards I am a rookie! there are things I don't know, like 'selective colouring' and do struggle with getting the selective 'custom' white balance to be what it should be, but I keep trying!
Thanks, Kind regards, Charleen
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Late to this one, Charleen...
I don't mind the actual toning but find the white vignette a bit too much for my tastes. I think you can apply it more subtly yet still get the viewer to focus on the eyes. At the moment I am finding the vignette drawing my eye more than the elephant, perhaps it's just me. 
The rest has been said already. Looking forward to your repost!
(PS: did get your message, will still respond properly!)
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Dear Moderators....I cannot post an image from 'my computer' window....can you check this for me please?
Many thanks, Charleen
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Another vote for a bit more room but I like the look of the processing. I also like the tree in the background, it makes a nice addition to the image.
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Thank you Steve; am trying to do a repost but cannot get the upload link to work! Will try later!