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Thread: The Old, The Young, and The Hungry

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default The Old, The Young, and The Hungry

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    Hello Friends,

    Been lurking in other Forums since yesterday and feeling rather guilty for abandoning my favourite...So just before going to the feathers I wish to share something with you, a scene from the Kruger Park captured few weeks ago.

    A fairly large crocodile came out of the water and got close to a baby hippo, immediate action was called for and a large hippopotamus immediately challenged him as the baby got away. I was quite surprised to see the croc did not back off and they both stood like two stones facing each other for quite some time, muzzle to muzzle and ready to bite... the other pod members relaxed and just enjoyed a bit of sunshine...

    The light was harsh at H12:26 pm, we found a spot of shade and enjoyed a cup of coffee and some lunch while keeping an eye below in the riverbed. Tried various camera settings and in the end settled for ISO 640, F6.3, the result was 1/2500s. Was aiming for high SS anticipating some action, but in the end everyone kept their cool and the croc backed off. Nikon D4 with 500mm F4 lens, had my Gimpro support by the car window ( Andre affectionately calls it " the Monstrosity" because it is so big, LOL).

    The subjects were quite far away and my original frame included a few waterbuck at the top, I cropped tighter for more impact and did a few basic adjustments in LR, then PPCC levels, curves, exposure, burn and dodge, resized for web and some selective sharpening. Given the distance and high temperatures at midday I did not expect any decent images, miraculously I found a few that weren't so bad and I agree, they are not my best but still worth sharing because of the behaviour aspect included.

    Hope you all have a wonderful evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela - Another interesting story telling image. Love the standoff snout to snout. I agree with your self-critique but am very happy you posted this. I am also guessing that there was no way to move further up or to the left so that you could capture the croc clear of the fg bush.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Gabriela, thanks for sharing this scene with us! Liked it a lot despite the harsh light as it does tell a story (as Rachel pointed out) and the stand-off is awesome! Oh I liked those oxpeckers in the frame too! Cheers

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    A nice story telling image Gabriela ! always love to see something on these lines where their are different species of animals involved .
    I do agree that the light was harsh but sometimes the moments compensate to some extent . As Rachel pointed out , i too would have preferred a scene without that bush in front of the croc , but that is something which cant be avoided .
    TFS !

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gab i can almost see myself staying next to you in the shade ..... just from your very cool way of wording !!!
    Love it !!
    This behavior shot is quite interesting even if nothing spectacular is happening , but one can almost feel there could something go on ......
    Your choice of crop is working good . Overall a bit flat in tone though , but this was made quickly and late at night so eyes were tired , i guess . Or you are in a flat mode at the moment .

    Just tweaked it a tiny bit with channel blending and two adjustment layers , tell Andre i feel sorry that i do not have a suggestion for channel cook-book . He has to patiently wait until sep 2016 .

    Thanks for sharing your mid day break , yours Andreas

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

    Indeed Rachel, we could not move the vehicle at this spot, barely negotiated a place where we could both see what was going on down by the river and at the same time allow other vehicles to get past. Kruger Park is such... as soon as you stop, there'll be others wanting to see what you are looking at. Stick a big lens out of the window and people's curiosity reaches a new level. No one realises we are just waiting for something to happen, the impression is " something is going on", so you're never alone...

    Nothing dramatic happened here in the end but there was so much tension in the air. The croc would not move, despite the hippo coming so close. The baby hippo was pushed to safety. The challenge was all about territory.

    Had a look at your RP Andreas and I like it, tried to come close with an RP - WDYT? Any difference? Have I gone too far? A bit tired tonight but I will have another look tomorrow, thank you so much for taking the time to help - you are so kind Boetie.

    Warmest regards to you all,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gab i know it is very difficult to " copy " an image .... so you did relatively well , but there is still " BIG " difference in the subtle tones if you look closely .
    In my image the hippos do have more form/tonal contrast and i have not lost any shadow / highlight detail . I have more depth / definition in the sandy HL .
    But this is just my view and a totally personal approach , so i am not saying i am right with my edits , just how i would tweak it .

    I am tired now too , Gab , might post the image i have just edited for pleasure .... just picked one and let it go

    Cheers your Boetie

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    I too am tired so let me have another look tomorrow night, Boetie. I have not done anything to the BG in my RP, just trying to get more "pop" on the hippies and croc. Planning to import your RP and compare it "properly" in PSCC then give it another go. Hard to "copy" your adjustments as I worked from memory, from time to time I had a look as I was playing around but I agree not the right way to do things...Tomorrow is another day:)

    Thank you again, nice sleepies to you, chat tomorrow:)
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Hi Gabriela, I've not been to Africa, but in my opinion your original conveys the H12:26 pm heat we think of with an image such as this, plus most everyone is lying down looking quite content, but very aware, including the crocodile. Love everything about this image and wish I had been there.



    Geoffrey

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Many thanks Andreas and Geoffrey,

    I have quite a number of images from this sighting, hope I can put together a Story Sequence and share:)

    The little hippi was so cute, and so small - I am sure the croc was licking its lips, at the same time very impressed with the way the old hippo handled the situation. I guess this happens all the time in Nature, interesting for me to observe how animals are often wiser than people when it comes to "self-preservation"... When no confrontation is needed, things are done in a "cool" manner and therefore unnecessary injury is avoided:)

    Kind regards, hope you have a wonderful evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, interesting scene here, I might suggest ultra pano and just crop that water out completely, I don't think it harms the image.

    Prefer the OP, just perhaps a Liner contrast (preset) may work, it just needs a bit more in the blacks to me. techs look good to me and good call on the SS.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    It's always worth a try and a good suggestion to spend some time with this Gabriela,

    you've handled the lighting quite well, who knows.......something may well have happened AND you would have been ready for it , so great credit just for sticking with it. Agree with Steve's inc in the blacks here as well.

    TFS


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

    I will certainly look into your suggestions:)

    I did do a linear contrast Steve, and went carefully about it, maybe too carefully LOL. The hippos do look a bit "flat" to me, will see what I can do

    Glad you liked the scene though, something different and not my usual portraits.

    Have a wonderful evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    something different and not my usual portraits.
    So lets make the usual, unusual.

    BTW I was going to post something earlier, but ran out of time after a very early morning drive back, as I needed to meet up with a 'young man', this afternoon LOL. Which was nice .

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Good evening Steve!

    Very excited and happy you met with the "young un"!!!

    Talking about the unusual, err...I shared some "eyelashes", LOL. Time to play

    Looking forward to your next post, the night is still young

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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