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Thread: Steppe Buzzard on the lookout

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Steppe Buzzard on the lookout

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    Taken in the Kruger Park on an overcast morning at dawn last December with loaned Nikon kit.

    I processed this one with a method to simulate the look of Velvia film...let me know what you think!

    Techs:
    Nikon D300s with Nikkor 200-400mm VR @ 400mm
    f4.0 @ 1/250 SS @ ISO-1250
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 07-01-2010 at 05:19 PM.
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    Great bird...they remind me of our rough-legged hawk.
    Image looks a little red on my laptop...but I get the Velvia vibe you were shooting for in post. I wonder if it would be stronger in a vertical crop? I like the negative space to the right but wish it were more featureless...the shrubbery is a little distracting to my eye.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    You straying too Morkel? :D

    Like the comp, position and detail morkel, like Harshad, the Nikon does improve your images in many respects. Just wonder if there is a slight cast, or just a fraction too much saturation?

    Steve ;)
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks John & Steve...

    Steve this was still taken with the loan-kit I tested out in December. My aim is still to make the switch one day when I can afford a D3s and 200-400 combo :)

    The saturation is due to the Velvia trick I pulled...was a bit bland beforehand.

    For now I believe I have the best gear I can afford...
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    You guys have some nice looking buzzards over there! Could use some lightening around the eye, IMO. TFS!

  6. #6
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    Love the alert pose and the excellent detail Morkel. I too would like to see this in a vertical but also like it very much as presented as it gives the feeling of openness and expanse that surrounds this capture. Fine work Morkel !

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    Morkel, I like the composition but I might take a little off the sides. I think a vertical comp. would lose the lovely BG colors,but that is subjective. I think the bird looks a tiny bit over saturated but I guess that was your intention. Nice pose and details.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Denise, Judy & Colin...

    my previous post of this fellow was in vertical format, hence I opted for a different perspective here.
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  9. #9
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Cool angle, good sharpness and eye contact. Adding to the other comments, I might lighten the iris a bit and maybe a tad less contrast.

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    Hi Morkel, I liked the earlier vertical post, but I prefer this more. Really like the comp, as shot. For me, it is maybe just a tiny bit oversaturated. excellent shot, I have never managed to get close enough to one of these buzzards to take a keeper shot.
    TFS
    Grant

  11. #11
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Morkel,
    I agree with lightening the iris recommendations.....yeah....I might prefer this as a vert.....but it does give the sense of him on the lookout for prey! Being a Velvia film user.....I like the look:D!

  12. #12
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Roman, Grant & Axel...
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