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Thread: Cape Buffalo Sunset

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    Default Cape Buffalo Sunset

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    Something different for me so I'll be interested in your impressions. This was taken in Kruger Park at sunset; we were off-road and completely surrounded by a huge herd of Cape Buffalo and I remember wondering, how do I capture this experience?
    That backlighting, the Cattle Egrets, the buffalo and the tiny mites coming off them in the grasses with the red (boosted here; too much?) light was magical. C&C always encouraged and appreciated. Thanks for looking.

    7DII, 100-400 II @255, f6.3, 1/1000 ISO 800

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Katie a very pleasing mood captured . Well handled backlighting! I am fine with the overall reds does not look overdone to me.
    The egrets are a nice addition , just wish the half buff was not there , but sometimes we cannot choose .

    Very nice capture , TFS Andreas

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    Awesome light and colours Katie. Nice comp with head on pose.

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    Hi Katie -- very nicely done ! lovely colors and agree with andreas on the half buff. TFS !

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Katie - You handled the backlighting very well. The reds look ok to me too and the egrets add to the scene. I agree about the half buff but it's so hard to get clean shots in the middle of a herd. Not a deal breaker for me.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Stunning mood and the light was handled so well!!
    Agree on the half buff, but yes so hard to isolate one in the herd.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    The light & mood is nice here Katie and if the LH Buff wasn't there then it would have totally changed the whole dynamics for me (in a very positive way), could your guide not have moved the vehicle in the hope of a better angle, going more left to gain more separation? As the Buff would probably have still been in the same position, but looking to the left and still with the egrets in front.

    Looking at the image, although the Histogram is spread nicely on the JPEG, for me there isn't any real blacks to give depth, it looks a tad flat. Getting some more detail back into the image I feel gives/proves more 'guts' too, to the image. Probably pushed a bit too much, personal tastes, however I hope this may illustrate my point and may help in the future????

    TFS
    Steve

    PS Remember, your guide is working for you .

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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    The light & mood is nice here Katie and if the LH Buff wasn't there then it would have totally changed the whole dynamics for me (in a very positive way), could your guide not have moved the vehicle in the hope of a better angle, going more left to gain more separation? As the Buff would probably have still been in the same position, but looking to the left and still with the egrets in front.

    Looking at the image, although the Histogram is spread nicely on the JPEG, for me there isn't any real blacks to give depth, it looks a tad flat. Getting some more detail back into the image I feel gives/proves more 'guts' too, to the image. Probably pushed a bit too much, personal tastes, however I hope this may illustrate my point and may help in the future????

    TFS
    Steve

    PS Remember, your guide is working for you .
    Thanks, Steve. I was looking for a way to improve this image and I really like your adjustment so I will make that change to my final version. I should have added that this image is cropped a bit from the top,bottom and RHS (another buffalo there). That said, I appreciate the advice; there was so much going on in every direction I was a little overwhelmed and didn't even think about moving to get a better angle...next time.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    That said, I appreciate the advice; there was so much going on in every direction I was a little overwhelmed and didn't even think about moving to get a better angle...next time.
    When it's your first or second excursion to Africa we are all in awe of it's captivating beauty, the excitement, adrenalin rush, etc and it's very easy to become overwhelmed with a situation, but the more you travel, the more diverse the animals & habitat you see, the easier to a degree, we can become more discerning it what we shoot, but always appreciate the sightings. Don't get me wrong, we ALL come back with some images that are less than perfect and sometimes what we see behind the lens perhaps may not truly convey the actual reality, the great thing is, we have the memories which are priceless.

    The sad fact is that we are of a diminishing generation who will have a chance to physically see some of these majestic animals in their environment and that zoos and reserves may be the only location for future mankind to see these animals, well the ones that will not be extinct within the next 20 years.

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    nice one Katie,I like the light and mood,and the egrets add to the image,shame about the half buffalo,but it is what it is.TFS.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Katie!

    First of all, I am very taken with your enthusiasm for wildlife and nature in general - it does come through in this image as well as your description of the scene itself. So a very enjoyable view, as well as an interesting read for me - thank you!

    When it comes to shooting buffalo in a herd it is not easy to find an isolated specimen, sometimes you have to settle for that individual that gives you "the look", right? I find the older males most attractive ( buffalo males, that is). They are full of character and often do not shy from vehicles - on the contrary, some get closer to investigate. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip in the Kruger, and were rewarded with such images, I will be there in early September and looking forward to some special sightings too:)

    I do like the composition here and especially the inclusion of those characters in the BG, they are indeed "barely there" but bring some nice balance to the frame. I also like the little egrets - a nice element of interest.

    In terms of colour, Steve's RP adds that extra "punch" needed and emphasises this lovely warm glow of the afternoon light. Wonderful capture and I like the eye contact, well done Katie

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriela Plesea View Post
    Hello Katie!

    First of all, I am very taken with your enthusiasm for wildlife and nature in general - it does come through in this image as well as your description of the scene itself. So a very enjoyable view, as well as an interesting read for me - thank you!

    When it comes to shooting buffalo in a herd it is not easy to find an isolated specimen, sometimes you have to settle for that individual that gives you "the look", right? I find the older males most attractive ( buffalo males, that is). They are full of character and often do not shy from vehicles - on the contrary, some get closer to investigate. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip in the Kruger, and were rewarded with such images, I will be there in early September and looking forward to some special sightings too:)

    I do like the composition here and especially the inclusion of those characters in the BG, they are indeed "barely there" but bring some nice balance to the frame. I also like the little egrets - a nice element of interest.

    In terms of colour, Steve's RP adds that extra "punch" needed and emphasises this lovely warm glow of the afternoon light. Wonderful capture and I like the eye contact, well done Katie


    Kind regards,
    Gabriela, I just saw your comment as I've been away for a few days. Thank you so much; I admire and enjoy your work and vision so your appreciation of this image is very gratifying to me. I think you understood perfectly what I was feeling that day; I remember looking all around for the perfect shot and then just trying to both capture and enjoy the experience.

    Wishing you great sightings for your September Kruger trip; I have to wait for 2016 for a return visit.

    Again, thanks!

    Katie

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

    I guess it is those recent experiences with Buffalo that helped me understand how you felt when surrounded by the herd:)

    Katie, I keep going back to the Park nearby just about every Sunday at a certain time... I know the buffs will be there, I know just the place...then I position myself in the right spot and wait. Sometimes I open a booklet (usually my D4 manual, LOL) and browse through, hoping to be surprised by the arrival of the Dagga boys, it is amazing how quiet they can be if they want to. Love the sound of grass being pulled out of the ground as they graze, love their sour, grassy smell, the sound of a young one left behind and crying for his mother. The oxpeckers hang onto their ears, at times annoying but so beneficial:) As the sun goes down I am counting those precious minutes of good light, a light that is gold and red at the same time and it makes the males' big boss shine like Tutankhamen's mask ("boss" is a term used for the horns of the species). Those big Dagga boys lift their heads and stare you in the eyes, it is quite an experience and I am glad you too had it, if only briefly.

    Hope you return to South Africa, despite its problems the country has so much to offer in terms of wildlife. And also hope to see more images from you, love your enthusiasm and I just know that this time you spend on BPN sharing your captures and interacting with the members will reward you greatly!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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