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Thread: Male Kudu

  1. #1
    Ken Watkins
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    Default Male Kudu

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    Taken on the shores of Lank Manze, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, 30th August 2010.

    EOS 1D MkIV

    500mm F IS hand-held fro m vehicle

    F4.5, ISO 1/800, 1/800.EV+0.33

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Ken - excellent shot of the kudu. Whenever I've seen them they are usually in the foliage so it's nice to see one in the clear. I might be tempted to get rid of the stray leaf behind the rear leg (in the water) but I don't remember your stance on that type of PP.

    Btw the bird just made me laugh, there seems to be a stray bird in a lot of your recent posts, probably because they are wider shots. :D Again, I think it adds a realistic element to the photo and could become your trademark.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    Hi Ken. Beautiful light, an interesting pose, good sharpness, nice colors, and I like the water background. The cattle egret is a plus. In terms of comp, given that the kudu is looking out of the frame to our right, you might crop from the left - putting the Kudu's head in the ROT position. You might also consider adding a little room at the top - it seems just a bit tight for my tastes. :) Well done.

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    Lifetime Member Colin Driscoll's Avatar
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    Lovely pose, light, surroundings and sharpness. The crop is unbalanced IMO. Because the bird is part of the story, the image needs a bit more space on right and less on left, and more on top. And yes, clone out that bit of water plant against the rear leg.

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    A very handsome Kudu in nice light. I agree with the excellent framing suggestions above, as they would really bring the bird in, but suspect perhaps you weren't photographing with the bird in mind?

    How were Selous and Ruaha?

  6. #6
    Ken Watkins
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    Thanks for the suggestions, I will take another look.

    Paul.

    Selous was nice as always, not overly generous in plains game ( the Zebra and Gnu are still as skittish as always), but we saw a Black Rhino and that cannot be beaten. Our daily boat trips on Lake Manze Channel produced some great bird images. I can highly recommend Lake Manze Camp.

    Ruaha was spectacular, this time we had really good Lion sightings ( still to be posted) plus Cheetah,Leopard plenty of Plains Game and "new" birds.

    The best bit is that unlike Northern Tanzania there are no crowds.

  7. #7
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    A nice example of this fine beast Ken.

    I too, do find the placement of the animal rather too central and having less on the lhs and more top and to the rhs would certainly improve the balance. Having the egret bottom right I do find slightly distracting purely because of the colour, as my eyes are drawn to it, in addition i might just do a tad of gardening to remove the slight green protruding from the right rear leg and perhaps the small branch in front of the kudu running into the water, but again it's a personal observation. :) Although viewing on the laptop, I might have left the EV at 0 judging on the vibrance of the image.

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

  8. #8
    Ken Watkins
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    Here is a repost, taking into account the various suggestions. I have left the Egret in as just for a change it is not in the way of anything important.

    Thaks to you all:)

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Ken - IMO the repost really takes the shot to the next level. I don't mind the bird but it is of course, personal taste.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  10. #10
    Loong-Tat Wong
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    Hi Ken
    I prefer the repost with space for the Kudu to look into! Love the light and I think the bird adds some interest!

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    The repost is killer. Love the bird in the frame. Wish for just a little more space, esp at the bottom. This picture is really tack sharp!

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    Repost is wonderful Ken. Not a big fan of the bird.

  13. #13
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Excellent pose Ken, and a good looking Kudu. I like the light and colours, and glad you left the egret to get on with what ever he was doing.;)

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