-
Lifetime Member
Newborn seal pup
Another one from the recent day at Donna Nook
This one is just a day or 2 old, hence it still had the yellowish fur, but hopefully not the yellow cast mentioned on my other post. Due to the fence line getting eye level is difficult, but there is a natural raised mound where this one decided to stay for a while.
I had a comprehensive reply from Andreas on my last posting, so tried to learn from him when processing this, albeit I still have plenty to learn, so fire away!
Canon 5d3
500mm f4 is
ISO 3200
1/2000th f5.6
Mike
-
Macro and Flora Moderator
Lovely shot hardly any noise at all I like the overall exposure it looks spot on to me - a very appealing shot well done.
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
BPN Member
Hi Mike well done at first look
........ as there is always room for improvement ( mostly ) or just different view about things , LOL. Would you mind sending me quickly the raw ?
I am mostly interested in your DPP settings ..... for this image , WB ? Picture Style ? Sharpness or USM ? Again all is very subjective when it comes to tone / color from my POV .
This is for sure an improvement over the last posting .
Lovely framed and the cuteness is playing a big role in this kind of images , no wonder with this puppy eyes to dive into .
Nice work and you got lucky to get the eye level shot .
TFS Andreas
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Lifetime Member
Thanks Andreas,
I'll fire the RAW over in a minute, but I used LR to process the RAW for this. I have a better knowledge (term used lightly!) of LR than DPP but am trying to learn DPP.
Please feel free to post your results, I always like to see how the more experienced among us arrives at their results - I'd bet others feel the same way too, I don't mind my threads developing into a learning tool,
Mike
-
BPN Member
-
What a cute lil seal Mike! I love the POV and the eye contact. The OP has a bit more 'pop' than Andreas RP. Though colours look more natural in Andreas RP (but you were there so you know which colours are more representative.
Nice shot and TFS.
-
Lifetime Member
Andreas
I see a couple of specific differences in the 2 posts.
Firstly, the most obvious is the colour balance. It was a day with light cloud and the sun often creeping through. The pup was also very young spot still had a lot of yellow in him. I'd say your version is more neutral, but there was a warmth in the light which I feel is closer to the OP.
I then felt that the area under the chin was a little too dark which I gave a little attention to.
the RP is cropped a little tighter height wise than my OP. I prefer the RP in that respect.
I also forgot to mention the evicted twigs in my OP - sorry!
I sometimes wonder about the brightness on my monitor as I seem to produce work a little brighter than others. It's balanced at 120cdm.
Thanks for all your efforts Andreas, this certainly won't be the last time I seek your advice - and for that I apologise in advance!
regards
Mike
-
BPN Member
Hi Mike no problem regarding your thoughts .... at first you have been there and you have your view , so you have a bit of advantage and the personal taste is coming into play ....
Well the chin is a matter of taste ..... if i do lighten or darken areas i do lighten or darken all areas in the image in the same tonal range , you have worked very locally under the chin . To me it does look unreal or unnatural , but this is a personal view , and not a rule .
Not saying i am right or you are wrong .
Yeah the twigs .... declare next time , LOL.
Yeah monitor brightness plays a big role , mine is set to 90 candela , so no wonder why we see differences differently from time to time .....
No problem with my advice / help , if i can i try to help , feel free to ask
Cheers Andreas
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Don't think I'm qualified or good enough eyes to give an opinion on the tec bits Mike but do think the OP that looks a bit brighter to me looks the best, lovely sharp detail even the texture of the nose looks good.
Certainly learning a lot reading the comments between yourself and the tips that Andreas is giving you.
Keith.
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Macro and Flora Moderator
Mike I am sure you will be chopping and changing for some time for some images you will prefer DPP for others Lightroom. I much prefer the algorithms in ACR to those in DPP but I definitely find the images are cleaner in DPP. The colours and balances - well they are infinitely variable in both so it is not easy to say which is "best" but I usually find DPP gives best results quickest and I rarely use ACR now. I am beginning to wonder if Lightroom has a different converter to the one used in association with CS6 I presume it has been improved because I note there is very little noise generated, an interesting conundrum.
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
BPN Member
Jon the same engine in LR and ACR ....... as far as i know and heard even from adobe folks .
LR has some better features but that is all , and you are right one might toggle between different raw converters , i would stay away from that toggling .
I use ACR and some features as a filter in PS from time to time in conjunction with TK masks or self generated lump masks .
Cheers Andreas
-
Macro and Flora Moderator
I find the filters in ACR useful at at times too Andreas...... and now you have done it again - what are lump masks - what am I missing
-
BPN Member
A very cute pup and love the soft colours and perspective.
I would rotate slightly, to me the FG line in front of the subject is the decider on whether this is "level" (I know it could be an illusion).
I prefer Andreas' post in terms of tone but like how you brought out the eyes - perhaps go for something between those?
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Lifetime Member
Hi Mike - Another image with a high cuteness factor. I too prefer the lightness and mood of the op. It seems to me that there is more life in the eyes too. However, a lot of pp is subjective and comes down to personal preferences. I would also recommend trying to master one raw converter rather than using several though I do know there are some people who tend to use ACR for most images and the proprietary software from their camera manufacturer for high ISO images on the theory that the proprietary software handles noise better.
We'll give you a pass on the twigs this time.
TFS,
Rachel
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Lifetime Member
It seems that Morkel and I were composing at the same time and both noted the eyes.
-
BPN Member

Originally Posted by
Jonathan Ashton
- what are lump masks - what am I missing

Oh Jon sorry , i should have explained , LUMP masks are a technique i invented myself just some days ago , very shortly i will come up with a Panel for PS CC and / or a serious plugin . Great stuff from my POV .
Cheers Andreas
-
Lifetime Member
Very cute pose with a nice low POV here Mike with overall good detail & colour and prefer a RP somewhere between the two.
TFS
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator
Sweet pose indeed from this little fellow, Mike:)
Sorry to come in so late, I guess all issues have been dealt with already so not much for me to add. BTW I truly enjoyed the discussions above:)
Having seen a number of images of seal pups I have noticed the eyes are usually a bit of a problem, they often look dull and lifeless and it takes a bit of work to bring them "alive". I too like your OP but Andreas's version brings a bit more life into those lovely eyes.
Thank you so much for sharing, forgive me for being so brief tonight but I just wanted to thank you for this post and tell you I enjoyed viewing, a couple more touches would take this over the top, very special capture!
Kind regards,
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
-
Hi Mike -- very cute image !! Loved the low POV and those eyes looks amazing , i too prefer something between the OP and the RP .
TFS !
-
Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks