Managed to get this shot in perfect light lying under a vehicle as the animal approached.
Processed in LR then some increased midtone contrast and sharpening in PS. Cropped from the left to remove adjacent animals rear.
1D4, 70-200/2.8ii @200mm, f5.6, iso400, 1/200 ss. Aperture priority +2/3.
Hi Dave - Good to see you posting another wildlife image. Great low pov and comp. The wildflowers are a great addition and foundation for the image. Although sharpness looks ok at this size, I would have gone for more ss in the field, especially handholding under a vehicle. There appears to be what looks like a sharpening halo around the rhino. I don't know where you shot this (and don't want you to post that information) but the reds look a bit too strong to me. If it is shot where the dust is red, it may be natural but if not, Canon cameras can tend to skew red/yellow.
It would be great to get your thoughts on other people's wildlife images too. It's the best way to become part of the community and for us all to learn from each other. Your critiques don't have to be technical, just tell us what you like or don't like about an image.
Hi Dave,
Excellent POV and great warmth to the image. I like the comp and details. Rachel has given some nice inputs, not much else to add from me.
TFS.
Hey Dave
Loving the angle/POV and the light here!
Rachel gave some good pointers...I don't mind the red because of the quality of light but you may just tease more details from the subject by reducing it.
Hi Dave -- excellent POV and nicely framed . The colors look very appealing to me and also the carpet of white flowers are adding to this image . i loved this image . By the way is it perfectly safe to lie down under a vehicle with the Rhino at such close quarters ?
thanks for all your comments. Safety? perfectly safe I guess no. Very Low risk in my opinion however with someone who knows the animals well, and their behaviour, and there is a very safe and quick exit route: very safe I would say, and in this context I must say they seemed blissfully unaware of my presence.
Those reds: The S curve on a contrast adjustment layer masked to the midtones certainly pushed up the saturation a little: I will heed the advice and play around a little and see how much more I can get out of the details.
I am interested in the apparent halo. You are correct, there is one. Its not from sharpening: I reduced luminosity slightly in the sky, and tweaked, slightly, blue saturation. As soon as I do this a clear halo becomes apparent around the animal. I am not sure I understand exactly why, and I certainly have not found a way to simply get rid of it!. Its not visible until the sky is darkened a little.
If I do a luminosity selection of the sky, masking out any bright bits on the rest of the rhino, and then duplicate that with appropriate blending to darken, then again the halo becomes visible, though perhaps slightly less so. I am still pondering an effective remedy (other than leaving the sky much paler)
I love this species and treasure every image of rhino posted in this forum, so thank you:) This is super special because of the low POV and wonderful environment included - very well captured!
What beautiful light! Although the image as a whole does appear a tad oversaturated, I am so enjoying the richness and warmth here - I look forward to see you bring more details to this already beautiful frame.
Regarding safety, I am sure one is pretty safe under a vehicle, as long as one is not seen climbing out of it or walking around:) Rhino eyesight is not great, but its sense of smell is. He might have been aware of your presence but does not look concerned at all. Given the possibility, I would have done the same. I often thought of doing that with lions LOL, but refrained from it, for obvious reasons...a "latecomer" might arrive from behind and - unlike the rhino - these guys can easily crawl under:)
Again thank you Dave - I thoroughly enjoyed viewing, and so glad to have a new member posting here in Wildlife! I look forward to your next images
Love the POV and comp-very effective.
Have the same reds in late Kalahari afternoon sun, looks unnatural to audience- have to tone down.
Regarding the Halo- did you blur the layer mask?
How did you sharpen for web?
Hi Dave i actually like the colors very much and i might even give the "reds " a bit more depth for a even more intense " Velvia " look , but this is just my personal view . Lovely light makes this a wonderful fame .
Great low POV and the crop does work very well .
To me the halo is just a sharpening issue produced somehow in the process , could be already in the raw conversion and then becomes amplified during the process . Just revert your WF and see when it appears .Normally you will find your enemy sooner or later .
thank you all for your valued and useful comments. I must find the time to rework this with so many wonderful suggestions.
Great to appreciate the range of thoughts and wisdom expressed. I am grateful. Now, must pay the money and become a real member....mmm, soon!
D