Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Eurasian lynx + RP

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default Eurasian lynx + RP

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    With the recent postings by Dale & Rachel and Andre delving back into the archives, I thought I too would join in and post something inline, both in terms of species and a little older.

    Taken a few years ago, I was given the opportunity to get a few images of this magnificent animal in the bitter, winter cold, and I mean cold, this was around -27, where light only started around 10.am and began to drop early afternoon, around 2.00-3.00pm. Re-processed, as a few have seen other images a while back.

    Also, based on some previous feedback, I have posted two images for 'educational' purposes, as it seems some folk like to see more detail in the snow. Personally I feel the OP is better with almost zero detail, but I have lived with these images for quite a while, however lets see what people think. Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image.

    Steve

    Subject: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), close quarters,side on, in snow
    Location: Finland
    Camera: Canon MKIV
    Lens: 500f/4 Gitzo tripod/Wimberley MKII head
    Exposure: 1/60's at f/5.6 ISO400 (don't ask)
    Original format: Portrait, very slight crop from top, almost FF width
    Last edited by Steve Kaluski; 04-01-2015 at 11:48 AM.

  2. #2
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    And here is the second image with more detail in the snow, WDYT folks?

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve - Nice to see a lynx and it certainly looks relaxed and comfortable. What caught its attention? I thought at first that it might be an optical illusion that the lynx in the second image looks to be slightly sharper and also have a little more detail in the whites of the chin but I confirmed it in PS toggling between the two and having them side by side. I prefer the lynx in the second post ("Edit 3") and if it were mine would probably go somewhere between the two posts for the snow e.g. the snow in the top one with a lumo mask at about 20-30% to just tame it a little.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  4. #4
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What caught its attention?
    Thanks Rachel, Crows or Ravens (whatever the big black birds were) and their alarm calls.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I have to say I prefer the one with more detail in the snow. Amazing textures and IQ as always. DOF is pretty much perfect.
    I think you could actually get away with more space behind and less in front due to the direction the cat is looking.
    Fantastic stuff Steve!

  6. #6
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Dumay, but as I said, almost (bar a few millimetres) that's your lot on the width, or are you suggesting an alternative crop.

    BTW you would need long trousers here, no shorts, FACT!!!! Bet it's warm with you?

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Sorry Steve, I rarely read what folks have typed. Ok.., so it was almost FF so you don't have any space to play with.

    Started cooling down a little now last week was crazy hot. I probably would handle the crazy hot better than the crazy cold...bbbrrrrrrr

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve, love the alert stare, and clean eye. You have brought out the detail in the fur very well, and I do like the few snow flakes on the head. Im going with your repost with the detail in the snow. Cheers.

  9. #9
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good evening Steve,

    Love this image, my favourite is the OP with less detail in the snow (still trying to figure out precisely why) Which one do you prefer?

    Gorgeous those ear tufts, I feel like pinching them Wonderful detail, don't know how on Earth you got such amazing IQ at 1/60s and will not ask, it must have been the tripod or just a touch of Steve magic?

    Unlike yours, my "archives" are not great. Lots of action and interesting stuff (more so than these days), in 2009 when I went to the KTP for the first time and shot each and every frame at ISO 400 F9, LOL

    I like everything here, your work humbles me, still looking for WOW in my folders...

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  10. #10
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Stu & Gabriela.

    Gabriela not quite unto your Caracal, but comes close and agree, the 'tuffs' are really quite cute. Regarding techs, probably more luck, but it may have been single shot rather than hyper drive, certainly over the last few weeks nailing those shots and having more keepers is very much based on getting those camera techs (not exp) better honed i.e. frame rate, tracking/acceleration settings, and giving the camera more time too.

    LOL, your first KTP trip, memories of when using film and suggested F-stop/ISO, oh how things have changed and what we can now achieve and more importantly achieve. To me, Digital is a fantastic platform for those who just start to explore the 'photographic path' as it costs nothing to shoot and you can instantly see what you have captured, to then correct and nail that shot.

    cheers
    Steve

  11. #11
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve, for my personal tastes I much prefer with detail in the snow. That's how I try to process mine anyhow. No better way, just preference. Fantastic details on the lynx, and I love the snow bits stuck on its fur. Comp-wise its good, but I think having pointed the lens up to remove half the thickness of the snow below (and adding that space above) would have made for a bit stronger presentation due to the upward glance of the cool cat. Pretty jealous though...these animals are pretty darn elusive.

  12. #12
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Comp-wise its good, but I think having pointed the lens up to remove half the thickness of the snow below (and adding that space above) would have made for a bit stronger presentation due to the upward glance of the cool cat.
    Hi Daniel, how about something along these lines, reducing space below, changing the format to 10x8 allowing almost max width and visually more above?

  13. #13
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve a very fine portrait of this elusive cat !!!
    Usual great job as expected from you in post !!! Gonna love that eye .
    I like the overall brightness from OP and the detail in the snow of your first RP , i think by bringing out more detail in the you also toned down some of the brightness in your first RP .
    But as a whole job , i like you last version the most , i think the image looks more balanced with the changed crop .

    Great job Steve, TFS Andreas

  14. #14
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I think by bringing out more detail in the you also toned down some of the brightness in your first RP
    Shouldn't have Andreas, the masking should have only been applied to the snow. I might pop anther one over to you, won't post as the DoF is slightly off, nose sharp, eye is a tad off IMHO, therefore record only.

  15. #15
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes Steve you are right sorry , i think it was an optical illusion , after taking both into PS no difference visible .......... even the eyedropper was not on my side .

  16. #16
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve, I love that crop for sure!

  17. #17
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Posts
    1,237
    Threads
    135
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the last RP more, have the feeling that I can touch him.
    Angle of view reminds of Morkel's underground hide images..
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  18. #18
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Hyderabad, India
    Posts
    5,088
    Threads
    1,356
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    HI Steve,
    The last RP is superb. Great detail on the Lynx and colours look spot on. TFS.

  19. #19
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Late to the party, Steve - but love the clarity, gaze, IQ and snowy setting (and POV of course).
    Your last crop does the trick for me!
    Where does one get to view these ones in the wild these days? Russia/Finland/Norway??
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  20. #20
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Where does one get to view these ones in the wild these days? Russia/Finland/Norway??
    Yep, this was in Finland as I said, but they can be hard to locate at times as they are quite elusive and often shot sadly.

  21. #21
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Yep, this was in Finland as I said, but they can be hard to locate at times as they are quite elusive and often shot sadly.
    Thanks - got that - was just wondering what the greater range is...
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  22. #22
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nagpur, India
    Posts
    3,837
    Threads
    245
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve, i simply liked your second post over the last one , such a high quality image. I feel pitty about your copyright info as most of the viewers will not take their eyes from the subject.

  23. #23
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Steve:)

    You made me think of those days back in 2009 when I went to the KTP with my first digital camera ( a Nikon D40, or a D90, not sure) and a borrowed lens from Andre...Shot everything that walked or flew past the car (very quickly and settings stayed the same during the entire trip), and gave him a hard time as he had to wait for me patiently while I "captured" every single Pale Chanting Goshawk in the Park... and that despite his protests from time to time, for most of my subjects were in the shade or at the top of tall trees...and I had the smallest lens, LOL. Also a very fancy hat and the safari look:) For the following trip, as I figured out what it was all about, I gave up the "looks" entirely and went to buy some real equipment...I am humbler than ever now, and especially after seeing the work of other photographers like yourself, but those were fun times and every now and then I take some time to look at those images...

    I learnt so much from you Steve, and still look at each and every one of your images for clues and inspiration - this is one of them. Also hoping to surprise you with something special every now and then

    Have a super Easter week-end
    Gabriela Plesea

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics