Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Red Squirrel - (Sciurus vulgaris)

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default Red Squirrel - (Sciurus vulgaris)

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Taken in one of my favourite locations in the UK, The Cairngorms.

    Set in a dense forest these little chaps have become bandits, holding out for more nuts before coming down and posing. Light is very tricky, as there is very little of it around. :D

    Steve
    MKIII 500f/4 1/250sec f/4 ISO400 (Wimbereley head/Gitzo tripod, slight crop)
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    115
    Threads
    17
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Such wonderful detail, the colors jump out and I love the composition. I wish there were just a few more details in the right side of the log. I'm new to this, can you tell me if you did color adjustments?

  3. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Sandra, no worries, ask away...

    The only colour adjustment was a slight tweak in Curves and +10 Saturation. I ran a little noise reduction over the background then selective sharpened the squirrel on a separate layer.

    Hope that helps.

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

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    He really cooperated for you with his tail placement. Love the color of that creamy BG. Detail topnotch as usual.

  5. #5
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Steve - I've never seen one in real life but I've always thought the red squirrel is one of our most beautiful creatures. I appreciate you sharing one once in awhile for Missourian's like me. I'll have to plan my next vacation around one of these little fellas. You really caught it in a nice pose and the detail, even in the tail, is splendid.

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You've dealt with the light extremely well here Steve, with a gorgeous BG. Great comp, very nice overall.
    TFS


  7. #7
    DanWalters
    Guest

    Default

    Great background and I really like the color of the squirrel. Maybe just a little off the bottom.

  8. #8
    Alfred Forns
    Guest

    Default

    Sweet little critter Steve !!! Can't ask for more detail, sharpness and color reproduction !!! .. wouldn't mind seeing it on a different perch but this works well !! Powerful !!!

  9. #9
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The red squirrel, a favourite of all my English relatives and depicted here really nicely. Love the acorn and the way it's being held. Also like the symmetrical view of the bushy tail. My only concern is the lower rhs which has a tendency to draw the eye. The large red patch and the oof part of the wood doesn't add to the composition for me but the rest is beautiful. IQ is as good as I'd expect.

  10. #10
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks guys.

    Hilary might crop a fraction off the bottom to give a more darker end to the image, however the reds in the BG are leaves/foliage which I won't touch as that is as shot. Not quite going to the extreme of not tweaking the image, however stuff like that stays, as it ties in with both habitat & the overall colour for me. :)
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve, I quite understand your point about altering images and I guess it goes back to the end game of wildlife photography. But if I'm looking at a photograph and commenting on pros and cons, all things come into play even if it is "as it is". It wouldn't stop me from enjoying the image and certainly (as you've seen) it wouldn't stop me taking the photo. Ha, I even take photos which could be classed 'rubbish' because they illustrate something I've seen and enjoyed, which isn't a problem except when trying to pass them off as something else. :D

    Looking again at this squirrel I see that the reddish foliage extends to the left as well, why didn't I notice that? Perhaps if the darker red on the rhs were toned down ever so slightly it would then be less in your face. This is quite subjective of course, but interesting because it will make it easier (I hope) to assess a photo opportunity in the field quickly and make adjustments at that time. I guess I'll know that in January.

  12. #12
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hilary I totally respect your comments and feel exactly the same about commenting on an image, surely that is the whole part of learning and more importantly, the function of a Forum?

    As I have said before, (and I am just as guilty) we sometimes make comments from a first glance/viewing rather than going back to the image several times before commenting. Art, which photography is part of, is all subjective and no one person will see the same (bit like a monitor screen :D) and it is good to get other thoughts on an image, as one gets too close at times, or precious and protective.

    For me, you can only assess an image based on the histogram, composition and any hotspots, awkward shapes, branches etc (I think you know what I mean), but I would never use the camera for colour, that will always wait until I return home :D

    I really enjoy your thoughts and comments Hilary and find them refreshing, I just hope that as your photography continues to get better, these thoughts and challenges are not lost due to experience gained. ;)

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

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Steve, vision can only be enhanced by experience and I would hope that in the years to come I can become the sort of person who can help others turn their visions in to reality just as others have helped me. I have worked along side some pretty mean spirited photographers commercially and never want to become them.

    Bird and wildlife photography is much harder than any other I have done, showing the soul in an animal is more than just techs .... but I can see that you know that also! :)
    Cheers, Hilary.

  14. #14
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    1,032
    Threads
    64
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wow Steve, this is wonderful. The pose, detail, BG and setting, everything came together here.

  15. #15
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You are the ORIGINAL squirrel master of BPN :) , Mighty fine
    TFS

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics