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Thread: Pensive Hyena

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default Pensive Hyena

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    We saw this hyena serving as a sentry at the den one afternoon while the cubs were still sleeping in the Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa.

    Canon 7D
    300 II
    1/1600
    f5.6
    ISO 800
    HH from safari vehicle, ff, levels, curves, luminosity mask, dropped exp of bg, selective burning, sharpened in CCPS.

    C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

    Rachel

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    Hi Rachel, I like the image with nice details, DOF and comp. the darker BG allows the hyena to pop and its good to see those eyes clearly. Nice techs and PP as usual!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    AHHA, I remember this, perhaps the first late afternoon at the den?

    Light was harsh, but you handled it well, perhaps not one of your better hyena images, but it was a cool sighting when the youngsters came out to investigate and play. I know your thoughts on cloning, but in this instance removing the grass would really help, it doesn't add anything, or change the mood overall, but it reduces a distracting element IMHO.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Hi Rachel -- That is a very nice image ! you have handled the light quite well it seems . nicely processed and as Sanjeev said darkening the BG really makes the hyena pops . i feel the nose of the hyena is a bit crunchy though .
    TFS !!

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    good capture,love the look on his or hers face,sharp with good detail,nice light,if mine would remove the grass BRHC,TFS.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel. The hyaena is nicely offset due to the key lighting. Pity the eyes are slanted, due to the sun no doubt.
    How about a tighter crop?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    I think you have managed this quite well Rachel, granted the lighting circumstances, overall quality & techs are good.
    Whilst not an advocate of cloning either, agree that a tighter crop would benefit here.

    TFS


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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. Cropping tighter is certainly an option. I guess the grass just doesn't bother me as much as it does others.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel a nice side profile of this " ugly" creature , you have pleasing colors and tone extracted . I like the visible detail in the eyes and the overall comp .
    I might try to darken the yellow grass in the BG for a more even look and lower the luminosity of the FG shrub in LRC , if you do not want to clone .

    But if you like it with the FG shrub , ok too.
    TFS Andreas

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Andreas

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dearest Rachel,

    Again I am late with comments, and late on BPN too after a few days of absence, please accept my apologies!

    Just a few thoughts on this Hyena image and I made a point of not reading the above comments: I like the rich colours and tonality, but especially the "pensive" or "relaxed" look from the subject, she is in good shape and must be quite a vigilant "aunty":)

    They make such great moms, patient and caring towards their young, and despite their supposedly aggressive behaviour I have had only pleasant encounters with the species while camping in the bush. Very inquisitive, bald and brave... I love this species, they are great survivors and cunning hunters - your image gives them justice. This is harp and well exposed, I like everything about it, I might perhaps burn or darken the vegetation on the RHS if this were mine.

    Thank you Rachel for sharing, I enjoyed viewing and I hope to raise you one "spotty" on my return from Kruger... don't know what to expect as my previous trips were not so satisfying in comparison with the Kalahari, nevertheless a tiny bit of excitement creeps in as I charge the camera batteries and calibrate and format memory cards. Oh, and it does not have to always be lions and hyenas, even a wandering Badger would make me happy:)

    Warmes regards to you,

    Kindly have a look at Story Sequences for me from time to time, I see Marc has posted something very interesting tonight and hopefully more surprises for me when I get back:)
    Gabriela Plesea

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  14. #12
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Gabriela. I hope you have great sightings to fill your cards.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel, a bit late to your sighting . I like how the light is cast mainly on the head, and what a good HA too. Well exposed on the nose and snout, and Im fine with the grass in the LRC.

    What time did you guys go out for the afternoon drives, if the light was still harsh?

  16. #14
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Stu, I actually don't think the light was that harsh. Steve described it as harsh but I don't think I agree. It wasn't golden yet but not midday harsh either. We usually left around 3 pm.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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