...She cannot care less about his bleeding gums and gushing wounds... He is looking for attention, filled with self pity and abandoned right now when he needs her most. They are together still... she busy grooming (as usual) and he feeling let down for he is no longer the Alpha male but just another member of the group...
The new Alpha male is much younger and fitter, a handsome fellow who arrived one morning and took them all by surprise, conquered the females with his optimism and good looks and responded to the old man's cold reception with a couple of bites to the lip and shoulder. Insulted and humiliated, the oldest member of this Chacma Baboon family is now a shadow of his former self but to me a great subject to photograph; even more interesting than his adversary because I think I can read his thoughts. His body language tells a story I wish to repeat. For this reason I decided to share with you this frame taken in March 2013 in Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve - you might complain about the crop but there was no other way to capture this "relationship" and the dynamics behind it. Taken with my old Nikon D300S and 300mm lens, only 1/400s at ISO 1250, F 4.5. I have a number of recent images I am busy working on, but from time to time I like to throw in something that makes you think a little longer than usual before you reply:)
Thank you so much for viewing, I really appreciate it. I also hope you find a few moments to sneak a peek at our new Story Sequences Forum - I would be grateful if you had something to share as well from time to time
Hi Gabriela, you have captured the emotions so well here. The lowered eyes and the wound on the lip is dramatic so is the detail and sharpness. The DOF highlights those eys nicely and certainly a great story to go with it. Thanks for sharing. The colours look very good top.
Hi Gabriela - I like the juxtaposition of the two in the frame. His forlorn expression and pose work well. The eyes are great and you've brought out nice detail. tI would give the midtones a slight boost as they look a little light and also back off on the sharpening on the fur on top of the head slightly.
Hi Gabriela - I came back to look at the rp and spent a little time doing so. I think your rp takes it where I was suggesting and maintains the warmer tones of your op. I like Andre's version too but he has gone much cooler. I don't know which was closer to the actual conditions. Of course, adding warmth or cooling an image (after finding the midtone grey) is like so many other adjustments a personal choice or preference.
Morkel, I was quite surprised and of course extremely happy to learn you liked this so much. I have never entered an image for a competition, perhaps I am a bit hard on myself but I never feel my work is good enough. I guess it would not hurt to try, I just do not know how to go about it. Will make some enquiries, maybe ask Mr. Google:) If you have any suggestions, kindly send me a PM or an email when you have time.
Rachel, I was hoping you'll like the RP, thank you so much for your time, suggestions and help. I do like the warmer look here, although Andre's version might be closer to the original. I am thinking I should RP and go somewhere in-between the OP and my RP.
I also thank Steve, he encouraged me to share this image despite my concerns about the tight crop and also gave me some great ideas.
Hello Andreas, and thank you Boetie:) so kind of you to look and RP, will take a look at the week-end, busy entertaining a few guests this evening and afraid to turn on the big screen because I might get glued to it...Will come back to you after work tomorrow, cannot tell the difference now between the RP's as I am viewing on the the baby Mac...
Hope you have a fabulous week-end, here raining right now as I am writing you, what a blessing - we had no rain in a very long time...
Andreas, I looked at both images (my last RP and your RP) side by side - I think your changes were made overall and the entire image is a bit too dark IMO.
Also, my OP had a tad of magenta cast which I later removed in the RP. It seems your RP has maintained, if not enhanced, that cast. I should have sent you the original file - it would have been much easier for you to demonstrate what you had in mind. Nevertheless, I think I get the idea - you were suggesting a richer, warmer, more vibrant look - I can do this, it's just that I would like to apply the changes to the male alone. Although not sure if I wish to depart from the original colours that much, another few more "strokes" and this is going to look like a painting