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Thread: Gray Langur - backlit

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Gray Langur - backlit

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    Well, I'm now back as of this morning after the long haul flight, feeling rather shattered after some ten days endeavouring to photograph Tigers with a couple of great friends, one of which I have not shot with for over 10 years, so it was great to catch up with him.

    The days were very long, intense, but Tigers are not as easy to locate, relying on often alarm calls or 'pug' marks to locate them in a vast and differing terrain. Dam cold at 6.30am and with the wind chill in an open jeep, it was time to layer up, but the dust was the real killer, covering all kit in a fine coating and ingesting was not ideal and we all managed to contract coughs. Having an 'all areas access' was the 'Golden ticket' (which comes at a price for all day access) and gave opportunities to photograph other subjects like this Grey langur in the afternoon sun. Just loved the backlit, but wanted to also get some detail rather than the hard transition and with the natural light I felt it added more interest.

    Thanks to those who posted or viewed on the last posting.

    Steve

    Subject: Gray Langur (Semnopithecus) backlit
    Location: India
    Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
    Lens: 200-400f/4 HH
    Exposure: 1/640s at f/7.1 ISO160
    Original format: Portrait, width FF, slight crop at the top
    Processed via: LRCC Classic & PSCC2019

    One small branch removed

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Absolutely first class, you have the wonderful rim lighting coupled with a little more than a hint of shadow detail. I am sure you would have considered then dismissed - but would it have been good to see a hint of the eye? The image has lasting impact demanding a review followed by more... well done!
    No excuses regarding tigers............ I want results

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Cheers Jon, but no chance of the eye, they are too set 'into' the face.

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    Just gorgeous love the rim light and the soft backlighting through the leaves.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Welcome back dear Steve!

    Glad you had a wonderful time and also managed to reconnect with old friends Shall not enquire about the sightings you had, I am certain they were awesome and hope you surprise us at some stage

    This is so beautiful, love the pose from the Langur and tranquility of the scene. Image well exposed, lovely detail where the light touches the subject so gently, such thoughtful framing. Top class indeed

    Hope you get some time to rest and unpack... Very happy to see you back and posting, missed you around here

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Many thanks Gabriela.

    Very happy to see you back and posting, missed you around here
    Sorry to have left you on your own, I thought Rachel & Morkel were around??????

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Well... I had Jon, John, Greg, William, Sanjeev, and Jay, also Haseeb around... so I was in good company

    Missed your comments and posts, really happy you're back It's December, time to have some fun around here...
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Hi Steve -- This is beautifully done. Loved the way you have handled the light and at the same time managed to bring out those details in the Langur. Whenever I am in the jungles , I always take out some time to take some images of these langurs, they always showcase fascinating behaviour and provides lots of opportunity. Sadly, my Tiger centric friends overlook these animals and not only Langurs but most of the commonly found specie at our place.

    Very nicely done.

    TFS !

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thanks Haseeb.

    I always take out some time to take some images of these langurs, they always showcase fascinating behaviour and provides lots of opportunity.
    Indeed they do and when things are quiet they do create some wonderful opportunities in the right light.

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    Hello good Sir,it's exquiste Steve absolutley stunning. I don't really crave for the eye,there is an unknown as to what the langur is viewing this way,it somehow adds more mystery, Steve,for me your viewer. Placement in frame opposing balance of the taller stem and that rim light.

    Tis properly lovely ,I love how the rim light varies with the length of fur.

    Buddy could you explain for me the thinking behind your techs please? I adore this frame the light and the way you have captured the above. usual cracking detail. But I feel there is something for me to learn with in the techs. Is the ISO low because of the intensity of light and wider dynamic range, maybe to help with detail ? You are very thoughtful in your tech choices Steve,I really feel I'm missing something here.

    thank you

    stu

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    Hi Steve, I was there in April, so things were reversed for us. Mornings were easier compared to scorching heat in the afternoons. But dust is a challenge. You did extremely well in making this image in such harsh light. We too had all day, all area passes. But we decided on most days, it was best to just rest in the afternoon! It seems like you got the results by really nice exposure as trying to achieve in PP would have left some telltale signs. Really liked this one.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Jay, April is hot, it was 44 degrees last time we were there in April and you CANNOT stay out all day, the heat is just too tiring. However, the great advantage is that you just stay close to the water holes and wait... good time for cubs too. Awesome if you get both in the water.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Stu, or should I say... 'hello stranger ', hope all is good and you have just ben very busy.

    Stu, there is nothing fancy to this, you just need the light to give you the 'rim light' around the subject. A lot of these images have been Lions lit by two spot lights at night, so just shoot wide open ie f/2.8, f/4 as you are not looking to retain any detail, but for me, it's old hat and rather boring now. This however was late afternoon and I just wanted to get the rim light, but to also hold some detail, as the subject was almost static I could afford to have a fairly low SS, could have done the same with some of the Tiger images, but I chose not to and so on reflection I may have pushed the ISO a bit too much. I also dropped the EV too, the PP was almost minimal, think you could achieve the same with your hares.

    cheers
    Steve

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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Stu, or should I say... 'hello stranger ', hope all is good and you have just ben very busy.

    Stu, there is nothing fancy to this, you just need the light to give you the 'rim light' around the subject. A lot of these images have been Lions lit by two spot lights at night, so just shoot wide open ie f/2.8, f/4 as you are not looking to retain any detail, but for me, it's old hat and rather boring now. This however was late afternoon and I just wanted to get the rim light, but to also hold some detail, as the subject was almost static I could afford to have a fairly low SS, could have done the same with some of the Tiger images, but I chose not to and so on reflection I may have pushed the ISO a bit too much. I also dropped the EV too, the PP was almost minimal, think you could achieve the same with your hares.

    cheers
    Steve

    Thanks for the reply,yes extraordinarily busy, the usual debauchery of UK new build at christmas. Sadly also life throwing me a curve a ball "torn retina left eye took my out for a month or so. I will share more elsewhere buddy,not derail,tis sobering. I'm ok


    To topic,cheers for the words on techs very much appreciated my friend. I absolutley adore this frame Steve.

    thank you

    stu

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Sadly also life throwing me a curve a ball "torn retina left eye took my out for a month or so.
    All the very best Stu, hope the health improves and you both can enjoy the festive Christmas period and perhaps even have some time to relax and may be a small libation????

    cheers
    Steve

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Steve - You know that I love backlit images and this looks very good. I haven't read the other comments but is the head angled slightly away?

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    You know that I love backlit images and this looks very good.
    Indeed, but I prefer to get some light into the subject and push the saturation too, otherwise they tend to go flat & lifeless and I feel these have more life than say 'Brendon's style' which has become very boring and with little creativity.


    I haven't read the other comments but is the head angled slightly away?
    Hi Rachel, no it's straight on, no head turn away.

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