Hmm a hare and water,I've never seen one drink,but I always watch the themes, and try to push to capture an image if I possibly can. Sure I guess snow is an option but when I saw the puddles I had to try. I'm sure most won't like the water ,it's somewhat tenuous being so bright,some might crop,as the image is FF I have that option. But for me i'm going to keep as is.
All **** is breaking loose in front of me hares are chasing each other though the gaps and over a dry stone wall,this fella lost sight and followed a scent trail straight to me. Sadly things were a bit rushed. There is a huge tractor coming up the track behind me and I really don't know if the driver will see me,sadly this compromised a later image,but didn't effect this one, too much. Sure the sun is a bit high for back lit and also I have to say post was a struggle for me as the light was pretty harsh. The light working in the eyes is wonderful but the hare is sadly a bit small in frame for my viewer to really see this,leastways that's how I feel
Off out to try AV shortly, I've got few days off to rest ha rest 200 yards on my belly for the first hare near puddle which went over the wall. This was my second attempt at water plus hare
canon 1Div 400DO is II 1.4 ext iii 1/3200 f8 iso 2000 and yup a sunny day wow!! DPP clone dust bunnies, NR colours gamma convert to 16bit tiff PScc brightness contrast,levels curves select, and mask for sharps on subject NO CROP i'm expecting thoughts on specular hi lights here so haven't cloned anything,as I'm interested in the responses
Thanks for all the thoughts and wisdom bestowed on my previous images
Hi Stu, cracking POV and the head on with the front paw raised just elevates the image. For me the snow must go, I find that it competes with the subject and draws the eye, but respect your wishes.
I might be tempted to position the subject a little less central, but it needs some Contrast & Blacks just to add some pop IMHO. Techs look good and just check where the FP was, but it should be bang between the eyes, however I think it might be slightly behind the head?
Can you send some sunshine up here Stu, it's blowing a gale here.
Love the little chap running, Stu! POV is superb. So is the BG. Super techs mate
I too think the snow in the FG is overwhelming. Otherwise, all this needs is a tad more "pop" like Steve says, and you're good to go. And maybe a tad more sharpening to the face?
Very nice work, Stu - you amaze me with every post, I enjoy your progress tremendously as well as your delightful little subjects, keep up the good work
Hi Stu - I agree with both Steve and Gabriela. Lovely pov and coming at you feeling. The blown puddles need to go but I do realize that then it would not qualify as an April Theme image. It would for May though. Good suggestions about pop and sharpening. I would also get rid of the stray specular hls.
Hi Stu, cracking POV and the head on with the front paw raised just elevates the image. For me the snow must go, I find that it competes with the subject and draws the eye, but respect your wishes.
I might be tempted to position the subject a little less central, but it needs some Contrast & Blacks just to add some pop IMHO. Techs look good and just check where the FP was, but it should be bang between the eyes, however I think it might be slightly behind the head?
Can you send some sunshine up here Stu, it's blowing a gale here.
TFS
Steve
Steve would you forgive me for being selfish just this once,can I keep me sunshine please,I think I have the sun shine in images around 4 times since chrimbo possibly less!! The gale was here too,and I loved it. Wind helps sneaky folks whose old bones creak and crack,fantastic experience with a Roe buck yesterday,Steve....best in my life all in AV,( I do listen bro) OMG talk about a fish out of water,but I stuck to me guns. shot AV all day had a few issues turning the wrong wheel,maybe not insummountable I suspect I can swap them,I'll find my way!! I certainly prefer setting my techs,it constantly reinforces what I'm being taught,but I'm still an open book and will use this method alongside M
Right to the image....I know, on the snow(harsh it's a puddle) but I have another with the other foot up ,so I'm good to crop that one if so desired
Steve this next bit is very important,it's what you all have picked up on. I really struggled in post,I've ended up presenting a slightly washed out look,becuase I was struggling with contrast so much. Basically i've taken the approach in post of reducing contrast,the light was a bit harsh for this type of image,but one takes one's chances and tries to make the best of it.
My hare facing all but away from the sun is naturally in the shade so aswell as reducing contrast I was trying to lighten the face. I can see exactly what you Gabriela and Rachel have commented on and came here hoping for those coments,the spec hi's aren't the worry for me ,it's getting that extra bit of pop/contract/blacks nailed down tight(absolutetly bang on correct) that I see as my biggest weakness here.
Sure I'm so chuffed to have got to sneak in a hare in water for the theme,that''s the fun side of me,happy. But the very very serious side of me behind that who wants to be better,knows i'm weak. I love shooting with the light the wrong way, so being able to get the best from my efforts in this sphere is desparately important.
Buddy I'm going to be flat out busy for a few days,if I fail to come back and you have replied please forgive.
OH,sorry nearly forgot...................... FP smack between the eyes base of FP sits level with top of eyes,so slightly off slightly too high,work to be done...practice practice practice !!. Steve they are the devil's own to track off elbows,that head moves up and down so much,but the more chances I get the more accurate I'll get.
Would I be correct in saying that with the FP slightly high it's likely the camera AF'd between the ears, alot of contrast there ,hence explaining what you have seen??
Love the little chap running, Stu! POV is superb. So is the BG. Super techs mate
I too think the snow in the FG is overwhelming. Otherwise, all this needs is a tad more "pop" like Steve says, and you're good to go. And maybe a tad more sharpening to the face?
Very nice work, Stu - you amaze me with every post, I enjoy your progress tremendously as well as your delightful little subjects, keep up the good work
Kind regards,
Hey Gabriela,
Thank you,little steps mate,I hope you had the most wonderful break.I've got a few days to me,but i'm all but busier than working.
Gabriela with what i've said to Steve,i'll note the sharps to the face,I think the rest is pretty much covered. Now i've got this capacity to select areas and manipulate rather than working globally,i'm going to have to watch this aspect Here my focus might be slightly off leading to your observation.But the face fur is so fine on these hares when compared to the shoulders/body,that I've already noted,I might need to tweak things as I progress often the shoulders look sharper than the head to me ,even when I think I've got my bit right with my FP.
Thanks for the encouragement,it's a shame I can't be here more,but still the RAW's are being banked,ha I have something really little for you soon.
Rachel many thanks all points noted. May's theme should be fun for me,if I post a boxing image i'll be in heaven
My hare facing all but away from the sun is naturally in the shade so aswell as reducing contrast I was trying to lighten the face. I can see exactly what you Gabriela and Rachel have commented on and came here hoping for those coments,the spec hi's aren't the worry for me ,it's getting that extra bit of pop/contract/blacks nailed down tight(absolutetly bang on correct) that I see as my biggest weakness here.
Stu, because you use DPP then don't drop the Contrast, I do because of the Canon files and LR, although I still have not looked to see if ACR also behaves in the same way as LR by adding stuff in the 'background' without you noticing however...
it's getting that extra bit of pop/contract/blacks nailed down tight(absolutetly bang on correct) that I see as my biggest weakness here.
DPP from recollection is a bit harder because you can't add 'localised' adjustments to the Raw, compared to ACR, LR, C1 etc and really you want to do as much within this stage, then go to PS for finer adjustments. If you have mastered Layers and Masks then that may be the way to go for you, in that way you can add the 'pop' you want and can simply control the whole process. it's pointless taking you down various tracks at this stage.
Steve they are the devil's own to track off elbows,that head moves up and down so much,but the more chances I get the more accurate I'll get.
So Expand the AF point - P222, without seeing the RAW I still think it might be back focusing. Stu, I am flying by the seat of my pants here, but P221 set the adjustment to +4 and see if the images are sharper. Best to try it on a static subject, I'll email how to set it up.
love shooting with the light the wrong way, so being able to get the best from my efforts in this sphere is desparately important.
Personally I think you might be taking on a bit too much as you are shooting into the light rather than it being behind you, lighting up the face. If the light is behind the subject the face will be dark, therefore why are you lightening????
Hi Stu,just add my bit to the comments above,think you have got really good DOF and caught nice action on this Hare with it's raised leg,do see what is meant about the backlighting but sometimes it happens like this with these unpredictable animals,did try it with some Little Owls without much. success .Just my personal thoughts Stu but I would try to lighten and sharpen the face a bit.Well caught mate.
Stu, because you use DPP then don't drop the Contrast, I do because of the Canon files and LR, although I still have not looked to see if ACR also behaves in the same way as LR by adding stuff in the 'background' without you noticing however...
DPP from recollection is a bit harder because you can't add 'localised' adjustments to the Raw, compared to ACR, LR, C1 etc and really you want to do as much within this stage, then go to PS for finer adjustments. If you have mastered Layers and Masks then that may be the way to go for you, in that way you can add the 'pop' you want and can simply control the whole process. it's pointless taking you down various tracks at this stage.
So Expand the AF point - P222, without seeing the RAW I still think it might be back focusing. Stu, I am flying by the seat of my pants here, but P221 set the adjustment to +4 and see if the images are sharper. Best to try it on a static subject, I'll email how to set it up.
Personally I think you might be taking on a bit too much as you are shooting into the light rather than it being behind you, lighting up the face. If the light is behind the subject the face will be dark, therefore why are you lightening????
Steve points 1 and 4 noted,I'm trying to balance the bright bkg against the obvious darkest place in the image, which is also the most important bit of said image..ie the face.. Sure i'm not completely happy with my efforts,but I felt with such light that is not really the ideal for back lit,I needed to compromise a little from reality and I suppose what the camera sensor reads as opposed to my eyes. I haven't had enough time to really evaluate your repost via email,but that was my thinking to answer your Q.
Point 2 I'd say I'm getting on well with layers and masks,but I don't fell as of yet mastered,mind I'd never say mastered at this stage,however confident I am....... but yes well on my way!!
Point 3 I'd prefer not to widen the area the camera can choose to focus on with this type of image,I have tried before,it hasn't really been to my liking,results too variable. I'd rather keep practicing and nail my FP placement. A fast hare bolting full stretch yup I'm with you all the way,but here,i'm a couple of mm off at my end and with time I feel I can do better .
Cheers for the email,as always appreciated,will def be checking MFA,should have a bit more time next few days. I don't think the combo is back focusing,but I'll be very sure very soon.
Hi Stu,just add my bit to the comments above,think you have got really good DOF and caught nice action on this Hare with it's raised leg,do see what is meant about the backlighting but sometimes it happens like this with these unpredictable animals,did try it with some Little Owls without much. success .Just my personal thoughts Stu but I would try to lighten and sharpen the face a bit.Well caught mate.
Keith.
Thanks Keith,yup no real options here with the light direction, and knew it was a big ask of the tools. I'm always going to try for these Keith,I learn so much for starters, not withstanding my artistic leanings. Agreed on the face sharpening,but as above not yet completely sure on that face and it's brightness and how that should sit with regards to the overal composition of the image
And now to ponder on this - At what ISO do you think your eyes work at?
Honestly,I haven't a clue, Steve,you've got me there,I wasn't musing iso. I feel they evaluate contrast differently and over a wider area brights to dark than a camera sensor does.Am I missing something??
Hopefully the extra day and weather conditions means you will be out there. Once you are in position get some test shots in the bag, evaluate the histogram, framing and any distracting elements via the screen, then make any necessary changes so you are ready to shoot and keep that SS high. Happy snapping.
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Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski
,I think I have the sun shine in images around 4 times since chrimbo possibly less!! The gale was here too,and I loved it. Wind helps sneaky folks whose old bones creak and crack,fantastic experience with a Roe buck yesterday,Steve....best in my life all in AV,( I do listen bro) OMG talk about a fish out of water,but I stuck to me guns. shot AV all day had a few issues turning the wrong wheel,maybe not insummountable I suspect I can swap them,I'll find my way!! I certainly prefer setting my techs,it constantly reinforces what I'm being taught,but I'm still an open book and will use this method alongside M
