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Thread: Kudu pose

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    Default Kudu pose

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    Animal portraits and 'typical' poses can sometimes quickly reach a saturation point. But sometimes you suddenly find one that just feels a little special for no particular reason at all. That's how I feel about this one. Taken this weekend at the Dinokeng Big 5 Nature Reserve just outside of Pretoria.

    Mainly contrast adjustments in PS (midtone curves, lumo masks) and due to the need for high-ish ISO's I had to blur the BG a little more. About 25% of original crop.

    Nikon D600
    Nikon AF-S 300mm f4 ED + TC-14 E II
    f/7.1 | 1/1250s | 2500 ISO | beanbag in car window

    All C&C's welcome.

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    Hi Tobie, I like the colors, but not sold on the square crop. may be post the full frame and people can suggest possible alternative crop. I'm not a Nikon guy, but judging from the IQ, I think you'd be better without the TC. Loi

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    Quote Originally Posted by Loi Nguyen View Post
    Hi Tobie, I like the colors, but not sold on the square crop. may be post the full frame and people can suggest possible alternative crop. I'm not a Nikon guy, but judging from the IQ, I think you'd be better without the TC. Loi
    Loi,

    Thanks for looking & commenting. I must admit I loved the shot when seen at common (fitted in laptop) screen size but when I saw it it at the BPN dimensions I immediately hated it. If only I had a way to delete & redo it I would have done so. With respect: I don't think the TC is to blame here - a little lower ISO might have done it the world's good, but hindsight is always easy...

    Just for the record: a little smaller dimension size does it more justice:


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    Hi Tobie - I always love capturing the routine pose and u have done very well here . i would have certainly removed the branches in RHS of the frame but then it is a matter of personal choice and whether u permit cloning as part of your work flow.

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    Forum Participant BenBotha's Avatar
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    I like the colour, pose. Agree about the cloning but it would have been nice if you had more space at the bottom, the legs appear to be cut off. Kudu bulls are the most beautiful of the antelopes. Ben

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hi Tobie. I don't mind the square crop per se.
    I do think it lacks critical "crispness" overall. Wrt ISO you could have gone to SS of 1/800 and still gotten acceptable sharpness and ISO would have been almost halved at f7.1
    In an ideal world the branches behind its head would be missing
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Tobie - I also think that kudus are among the most beautiful of the antelopes. Love the curvy horns. You've gotten good suggestions and pointers above,

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Tobie, ISO2500 is not high, however I am somewhat surprised at the IQ, even with a 25% crop. I do think when the opportunity arises I would take it, irrespective of the initial capture in terms of framing, as often in events like this you have to react quickly and worry about things later. Keeping a good SS is key IMHO and pushing things higher, the old days of 1/500 for 500mm is past and with the new cameras now, keep SS high, balanced with DoF, worry about the ISO later, providing it's not silly. I've changed a lot in the last 2.5 months in both thinking, adjustments in shooting and with the upgrades of PP (LR & PSCC) and so it has been an interring journey of change for me.

    As you and Morkel both use LR & Nikon, I would suggest forwarding the RAW and to get his thoughts?

    TFS
    Steve

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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Tobie, ISO2500 is not high, however I am somewhat surprised at the IQ, even with a 25% crop. As you and Morkel both use LR & Nikon, I would suggest forwarding the RAW and to get his thoughts? TFS Steve
    Steve, thanks for looking & your comments! Knowing my kit I know that when I take ISO = 2500 shots, most often than not I don't get the IQ I'd like when cropping quite some. I'm totally happy with all of the appreciated comments received and I know that the shot was taken at less favorable circumstances so I'm happy with it. It probably needed something small to get it from where it is to 'perfect' (just a more relaxed body position etc.). Thus no need to hassle Morkel with this - I'd rather check out his shots!

    Regards,

    Tobie

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Tobie,

    Sorry to come in so late, had a look at this image the other day and started typing a comment but load shedding prevented me from finishing it. You already got feedback from the moderators and members so I will just give you my thoughts:

    I love the magnificent Kudu and this individual was posing so nicely for you, I quite like this surprised look you have captured. I do not mind a square crop in general, but in this case I would have preferred to see the subject's virtual limbs in the frame.

    Wondering what the lighting conditions were at the time? Had you taken the converter off and shot at F5.6, aiming for, say...a maximum 1/1000s, I am quite certain you would have gotten away with less ISO and therefore less noise. Your processing might also have something to do with the IQ - was the image dark, and did you have to lift the shadows quite a bit? I kindly suggest you tell us more about your processing steps if you wish for more detailed feedback. I am more than happy to give it a try if you send me the RAW.

    Thank you for sharing Tobie, hope to see more from you and do not forget to experiment more:)

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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