Impala @ Dawn

[Morkel Erasmus]

This is one of my favourite photos - and to think in South African wildlife terms it's such a mundane subject. Those who have been to Kruger know that by day 2 you don't even notice the Impala anymore ;).

This was right at the break of dawn, and I love how the light assisted in creating this image - first the warm tone overall and secondly the outline on the ewe's head.

Taken in the Kruger National Park.

Canon 1000D with 100-400 L IS USM @ 200mm
f7.1 @ 1/125 SS @ ISO 400, EXP -1
Cloned out disturbing grass tuft behind the buck's head.

Your comments and suggestions will be most welcome...

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the idea and composition and would try to adjust the white balance, it looks like a magenta cast.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice portrait, Morkel, with nice warm light, but the whites looks magenta as Axel mentions. I would also reduce the saturation a few points.
Thanks fo sharing this one, will be looking forward to more.

[Morkel Erasmus]

hey Fabs and Axel thanks for your comments - don't know how I missed the magenta hue! :D

toned down the magentas and also the master saturation...looks better now?

[Fabs Forns]

Much better, Morkel. If you are good in PS, try and burning the shadows in the eye, under the catch light, to make the eye darker.

[Robert Amoruso]

The new version looks good Morkel.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Mork, I like the rim light in this, and your repost works well. I always look for portraits from these guys.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks you Fabs, Robert and Stu!

Stu - was good meeting up and shooting some this morning, sorry I had to leave so soon...will do so again. Enjoy Pilanesberg tomorrow!

[Dave Phillips]

love the rim lighting....always a good effect with this kind of light.
Repost looks even better......took it just one step further and removed
some of the amber "glow" from the eye.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the effort Dave, the eye looks a hundred times better. what exactly did you do here?

[Dave Phillips]

thanks for the effort Dave, the eye looks a hundred times better. what exactly did you do here?

Glad you like.
I made a selection of the eye and used image/adjustments/color balance in photoshop
....add color opposite the colorcast mostly with midtone selected.
Boosted mid curve a bit and and darkened shadows per Fabs' suggestion

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the feedback Dave. Will try it on the original file (since I probably want to print this one at some stage)

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Morkel,
This is a lovely image. The best images are made from subjects that are often readily available as you get more opportunities. I like the rim lighting. The repost looks better.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Steve Canuel]

Nice dramatic portrait. Rim lighting is nice, good work by Dave on the eye. The white patches on the face seem a little too bright given the rest of the image but I've never seen one.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the feedback Saby and Steve. Looking at it again it will work if I tone down the whites some.

[Jeni Williams]

Really like the rim lighting Morkel!! Repost looks good - think it would really rock if you tone down the whites a bit more.!! I'll stand in line when you print!:D

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Jeni!

something like this??

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

This is great Morkel! It pays to note the common and mundane subjects and shoot in fabulous light conditions. You have done just that. Hats off mate. :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

appreciate the comment, Akos. :)