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Thread: Coyote

  1. #1
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    Default Coyote

    I saw this coyote crossing the Swan Lake Flats in Yellowstone last week. He was pretty wary of me and stopped and waited while I "shot" him. Canon 1D Mk II N, Sigma 100-300 f/4 + 1.4 TC, cropped.





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    Hi Steve, so nice for us African members to see images of coyotes. Always feel they don't get appreciated enough! Like the posture of the animal, and his focus on you, and upright ears. I wasn't there so cannot comment on colour but do feel the image might benefit from a little brightening overall, and a bit more contrast. I would also crop out the thin line of vegetation above the coyotes head as well as the cut-off piece of vegetation on the far right side of the image. Nicely done with this shot..
    cheers
    Grant

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    Thank you Grant for your C&C. Coyotes do tend to fly under the radar with the current emphasis on wolves.

  4. #4
    Robert Amoruso
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    Steve,

    Welcome to BPN and to the wildlife forum.

    The image is flat in dynamic range and appears under exposed. You did not indicate the exposure settings (next time please do as it helps us to evaluate the image) which would have indicated if it was exposed correctly.

    To correct in PS, use a Levels Adjustment and expand the left and right sides of the histogram until clipping starts to occur. Then use the midtone slider to lighten the image. THis will make it look flatter.

    Next use a Curves Adjustment and add a mild s-curve to the image.

    You coould also add black to the black and neutral colors using Selective Color Adjustment to make the image POP more.

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    Thanks for the C&C Robert. The histogram in LR3 shows a full scale of exposure from black to white. For some reason the image appears a little darker uploaded here than it does in LR. I'll play with the sliders some and see if I can make the image 'pop.'

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    nice pose and specimen here Steve! I concur with Grant's crop suggestion and Robert's processing suggestion to correct the underexposure and contrast.

    please do post more coyotes!
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Thanks for the comments Morkel. I'll work on the PP tonight and repost. I have quite a few images of coyotes and a few of wolves and grizzlies. I like to post newer ones but I can put up some from the archives.

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    Default Repost of Coyote

    Thanks to everyone for their C&C. It's very much appreciated. I've spent some time with the image and have come up with this variation. I've included the histogram for reference.




  9. #9
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Steve, the repost is a lot better, overall it has a cleaner look & feel.

    When shooting in conditions like this, your best bet is to meter off the snow, close to the subject and then + your exposure, but thats for another day, however I am more concerned about f/20? I don't think you need to go this far, even f/9 would give you enough DOF, if not less say f5.6, but more importantly by dropping your aperture it would raise your shutter speed, which is key.

    Look forward to more images.

    TFS
    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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    Thanks for the reply Steve. The shutter speed and f/stop were previously set at a different location earlier in the morning and I jumped out of the car and shot this image offhand. By the time I reset the 1D2N the coyote had wandered off. As a rule I expose a snow scene at +1 EV or perhaps a bit more. I do tend to get a little excited when I see a photo op pop up like this one and I'm still in the car. So much for the patiently waiting nature photog.

    Steve :eek:
    The only limitation in my camera gear is ME!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hey Steve, I FULLY understand and we have all been there and hopefully will continue. Why not get excited, surely that is the one of the key factors we enjoy what we do and I am very pleased to here you do, as it is something that never really is mentioned.

    s a rule I expose a snow scene at +1 EV or perhaps a bit more.
    Perfect.

    The only limitation in my camera gear is ME!
    Certainly not, it's a great camera that offers consistent results, don't get fooled by needing to have the latest. Keep on trucking and enjoy your photography, that way you learn quickly and this is conveyed in your images.

    Happy snapping 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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    Thank you very much Steve.

    Steve.

    BTW, where is the 'Edit Signature' location? SR.

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