The Joker .... Painted Dog

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi folks ...
needed to post something here .

Hope you like it , even if the shooting is not ideal as is the dappled light and that other dog in BG on LHS . Sometimes unavoidable as they gather as a pack .
Image taken on last day in the Khwai Concession in Botswana ... almost on the way out .


Canon EOS 1Dx
EF 200 - 400 IS L at 420 mm
HH

F 8 ; Iso 8000 ; 1/2500 sec

Processed wit DPP 4 and PSCC 2021 , slightly cropped .

Thanks for watching and commenting to my previous posting ......

Cheers Andreas

[Jonathan Ashton]

Your usual high standard Andreas, having the forelegs in pretty good focus really enhances the image. I can live with the OOF nose in the background and also the leg on the left. The dog really does have some impressive teeth doesn't it?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Thanks Jon .... I do agree the jaw is phenomenal
I was actually sitting down at some point , during the sighting .... just right at the passenger door

[Steve Kaluski]

Hope you like it , even if the shooting is not ideal as is the dappled light and that other dog in BG on LHS . Sometimes unavoidable as they gather as a pack .

Agreed Andreas, and the head on the LHS is a bit unfortunate, but you have to make the most of these opportunities. Did you lighten the chest, would expect it to be darker a tad more in shade?

TFS
Steve

[Andreas Liedmann]

Thanks Steve ... no , did not specially lightened the chest .

[Steve Kaluski]

So based on your reply, you did to a degree?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Yes .... raised globally the shadows by +1 in DPP and I raised the blacks from 0 to 5 .... contrast was set to -3 .
Followed by tonal adjustments in PS .... pushing back in tonal range where needed from my POV .

The dogs face in BG is lifted in PS ...

[Steve Kaluski]

I would then mask back the chest & perhaps the jaw of the main hound, it just stands out to me and I feel you would still retain detail, but the areas appear authentic.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Ok i will try that ....

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Andreas,

'Menacing' grimace from this chap and some impressive teeth Indeed a wild dog pack is quite a challenge to photograph. This is because - like you said - they are social creatures and like to gather closely when resting, usually in the shade to cool off after a hunt.

Carl and I spent some time with the species in May this year ( we were lucky to find them on three occasions) but came back with very few images. The dogs were very active and interacted a lot which was so entertaining and delightful. It is a pity the environment was so busy and poor lighting conditions made it difficult to capture good images.

Still, they are so special and such a treat to observe. You exposed well here but the presence of another muzzle and some paws in the BG is unfortunate. Colours look natural and overall image is well processed. Thank you for sharing, Andreas.

Kind regards,