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Thread: Hippo Textures

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Hippo Textures

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    Taken on the Boro channel, Okavango Delta from a small boat.

    Techs:
    Canon 7D with 300mm f2.8 L IS USM + 2.0x TC-III (600mm)
    f7.1 @ 1/400 SS @ ISO-800
    Lens supported over the side of the boat.
    Conversion done in Nik Silver Efex 2
    Cropped from top and bottom to pano
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 05-31-2011 at 12:20 AM.
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    First impressions - love it. A very slick presentation.

    However, a couple of things I feel with such a high key image which you will probably not want to deal with. The grey, oof line running through the water on the lhs of the hippo’s head and the small black dots (insects?). Normally I wouldn’t worry about them, but you have turned this into a very artistic, modern looking view of the hippo and these are a distraction against the white background. For me it would seem a little thing to get rid of them as it does detract (IMO) from a beautifully clean and detailed image. Leaving them there because it is nature reduces the impace somewhat.

    If it had those minor nits removed it would be an artistic image to hold pride of place on any wall.

  3. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Be interesting to see what people make of this, if they think mine was contrasty

    I rather like it Morkel, because of the depth of blacks & contrast, to me the High key works well, although I might just be tempted to clean up few marks and lines along Hilary's thoughts so it almost becomes a straight contrast between the two colours, if that makes sense, so there are no greys? Also I might be tempted to move the crop up a fraction so the dark reflection butts the the foot of the crop.

    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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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for your honest critique Hilary...

    I think I've said it before...but in terms of fine art and "artistic" images like these I slacken my "no-cloning" stance considerably...in this case I might have just been lazy (you caught me, you caught the 'tater! ):eek:

    Did a quick job of taking out the reed reflection and the spots...what do you think now?
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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Sorry Steve, saw we posted simultaneously!

    Thanks for your reply...I told you I like high contrast in my conversions, and it's something with which I differ from many people, but that's where taste comes in eh?

    Mind posting your crop suggestion?
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    Morkel, perfect now!!

    Steve, just an explanation regarding the contrast as I was one who commented on the contrast in your elephant. As this is high key it lends itself very much to the increased contrast. I think your elephant could have gone either way with contrast, and as I particularly like the nicely toned images you have produced in the past I was a little surprised by the increased contrast in this instance.

    I guess I just like b&w images whether they are high contrast or not!

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    Hi Morkel
    I have to agree with Hilary on the subject of contrast , I love black and white full stop be it high key , or not. The elements within the image determine your contrast .

    Morkels image is a perfect example were high key works..

    I really like the conversion on hippo , personally would add canvas to the top , would try and reduce hot spots on LHS of hippo face ...

    maybe burn the reflection of hippo a bit and clean up some spots on water

    lovely image

  8. #8
    Ofer Levy
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    An impressive image. Repost looks good to me. Agree with cropping a tiny bit off the bottom and would consider adding a bit to the top.

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    With heavy heart I am saying , I liked this very much , Top shot
    TFS

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    I'm usually not much for cloning out natural elements, but I agree that here it's fully justified, I prefer the repost. A striking and really nice image, surprisingly detailed in the shadows when seen up close (thumbnail didn't look promising ).

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    Impressive image Morkel, like the repost better TFS

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for your kind comments everyone...don't have time to work on it again tonight but will certainly give the compositional suggestions a bang later on

    Harshad...
    Morkel Erasmus

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  13. #13
    Robert Amoruso
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    Morkel,

    I am in agreement with more up top and less at bottom.

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    This works for me Morkel and I agree with the crop suggestions. I would crop the lighter lower part of the reflection and add a touch more up top. Very nice.

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    very dramatic. Outstanding treatment. I like the cleaned up shot a lot better and agree with the slight cropping, though it shows well as it is.

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    Impressive image, with heaps of impact. Whether or not you add/remove canvas is up to you, but the repost with the bit of clean up work really rocks as a fine art image for print. I'm OK with cleaning up FA images. Excellent work, Morkel !

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    This is great bud...I like everything about it. Repost is tops!

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    Not allways a fan of B&W Morkel but this one I do like. Strong eye contact, loads of detail and love the way you have managed to capture the "wet" texture on the skin. Prefer the repost.

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    Morkel, this is a striking image, and good on you for making something out of what might not have been an obvious opportunity..very well done.
    cheers

  20. #20
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for all the encouraging feedback, folks
    Morkel Erasmus

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