Buffalo

[Steve Kaluski]

Thought I might post something different compared to a large predator .

Initially this had more room below for the legs, but I stupidly framed with little space to the right, DOH, so I have intentionally cropped tighter in. With hindsight me moving more to the left would have avoided the horn intersecting the OX P, but I was having to shoot across another person, no not Rachel, but the Ranger!

Got to love those ears.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) head on
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 resting on a bean bag
Exposure: 1/500s at f/7.1 ISO400 EV +0.33 (more ISO, greater SS next time)
Original format: Portrait, slight crop from the LHS and from the bottom
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC

[Stuart Philpott]

Hi Steve,interesting notes on framing,he is quite tight ,but i like the central position. Steve also interesting on the ox pecker and the horn and your shooting position,not something I would have thought of during framing. My little niggle, it is little, though is the ox pecker,I find him a distraction.I feel it's because he's so clearly visible but oof he grabs my eye buddy no doubt on that. Pondering a mo. it might be colour orienated as the rest of the image is so pastel,either way I feel drawn to him when i shouldn't really be
Ahh, he looks fed up,not angry just sort of melancoly/sad. Those ears are utterly amazing though and look like they are too low on his head,ha ha I'd stare at this one just for those Steve. An interesting frame Steve on many levels, i wouldn't feel a need to clone out the foreground grasses below the muzzle( if that is possible?) but some might. I actually like the graduation in height of the these too Steve sort of adding a bit of natural framing low down
cheers for sharing

take care

Stu

[Steve Kaluski]

My little niggle, it is little, though is the ox pecker,I find him a distraction.

Stu, we often get immersed in the frame and do not see other elements in there until the image is captured and we are back home. I think as I mentioned earlier, if I had the chance to move a bit more to the left it may have helped, as things would have been more 'central' perhaps??

i wouldn't feel a need to clone out the foreground grasses below the muzzle( if that is possible?) but some might.

Again, not ideal and perhaps tonally you may reduce the brighter elements, but you then may effect other parts too unless you are careful in masking. Cloning, not unless you are Harry Potter.

BTW I have left the flying Bug in on the BKG of the LH horn.

[keith mitchell]

Steve think the horns and the ears and that old wrinkled face are great,not sure about the Ox pecker but if I had it in my viewfinder I would certainly take it .you have explained about the foliage under the chin but agree it does pull my eye a tad.

Keith.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Good evening Steve,

I do not mind the tight frame here one bit:)

Beautiful detail and sharp where needs be, the grasses in the FG provide some nice depth. I am so used to those oxpeckers, they hardly distract me...

This is well exposed and beautiful detail, colours spot-on. Love the shiny horns, so well worn, and possibly recently polished on some tree stump!

A mild and gentle look from this fellow, I take it you were nice to him Your PP work is as good as expected, I am a bit jealous but I have to live with it, LOL - hope this goes to print?

Warmest regards,

[Rachel Hollander]

Steve - I do like the horns, ears and face. Agree with you about the oxp intersecting the horn but also think that in this case the oxp isn't really adding much. Perhaps more dof to have it in focus would have worked better. However, I know you have a thing for images with oxpeckers on animals. I might like some of the room below put back in but not a deal breaker. Tones, colors and detail look good.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Here you go folks, the original version before I changed my mind and went tighter.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - for some reason with the wider version the fact that the oxp is oof doesn't bother me as much.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hey Steve. I like the wider version! In it, the FG grasses are not as notable/bothersome.
You handled this light well.
I am heading to the Sabi Sand for a short interval on Friday and hope to get some new images!

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Morkel, when are you back as I will be heading off soon and we need cover as usual?

Steve

[haseeb badar]

Hi Steve -- I too am inclined towards the RP for the obvious reasons as mentioned above . But as usual you are technically way to strong to make your images work no matter what the situation is .

TFS !

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Steve

The OP had me holding my breath, with the RP I can breathe out!
Stunning detail, the Eye Pecker adds to image.(IMHO, in RP)
He was listening to what you had to say...

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thought about it Steve, long and hard:) I prefer the OP and the "in-your-face" look of the buffalo.

Warmest regards, hope you have a pleasant evening,

[Steve Kaluski]

Thank you all , lets see what I can do at the end of this month & into June .

[Stuart Philpott]

Sorry slow to reply Steve, having fun with bt. Steve thanks for the reply,I'm utterly torn now,between the two ,but I do concur with Rachel's comment about the Ox Pecker.On all levels I don't know why though

Buddy what grabs me now(and it is a "wow" grab) it just how amazing your framing was in such a tight situation,Steve, I understand your reply,get way to encrossed in trying to get my framing right to see everything in an image
take care

Stu

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, excellent detail and sharpness on the face of the big fellow, and just love the light you had there. After looking at your original, I do like your OP with the tight comp.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Stu.