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Thread: Spotted Face

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Spotted Face

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    I can't remember ever uploading this one here on BPN. If I have...I'm sorry!

    Taken on an overcast morning in the Sabi-Sands in February 2010. The then juvenile cub of the now deceased leopardess Mambirri.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with 200-400mm f4 VR @ 330mm
    f4.0 @ 1/250 SS @ ISO-500
    Exposure bias +0.3
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 06-03-2011 at 04:29 PM.
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  2. #2
    Robert Amoruso
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    This is very cool looking image Morkel conveying the subtle beauty of the cub. I like the BG and FG grass and the sense of softness it adds. I feel I would have preferred to have seen more of the shoulder.

  3. #3
    Todd Frost
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    Very nice Morkel. Nice light and good techs. I like it as presented. Well done.

    Todd

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    excellent techs and very expressive face , I am loving those designer grasses
    TFS

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    Great pose, expression and wonderful details Morkel.

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    I am finding that I'm totally in agreement with Robert today! I would loved to have seen just a bit more of the leopard's shoulder but absolutely love the stunning quality of this image. Is that Nikon lens just superior or what? Harshad is using it now as well isn't he? Sadly, too big an investment in Canon to change but .............

  7. #7
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Images like this Morkel do make me rethink about moving over.

    Great detail, colour spot on with nice defused BG, but do think a bit more shoulder would balance things more. I might also ponder on cloning that grass that rums up past the eye and stop it short, WDYT?

    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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    Hi Morkel, cool image

    would just pulled the blacks a bit... crop for me works well with grasses balancing the image

    Agree with steves point on that one long grass running towards eye.

    Hilary
    the D3/S 200-400MM is a great combo, but for me using the D3/s with the 600mm wide open produces amazing bokken with super IQ , Vivaldos kalahari lion image last week was a great example... (please ,I am not canon bashing just an observation)

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    Thanks Peter, interesting observations.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Now viewing on 'Wopper'and agree with Peter, the blacks for me too, are just too black and need to be pulled back a fraction.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Good detail and techs.

    Am with Robert on wanting to see more shoulder.

    TFS

  12. #12
    Ofer Levy
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    Lovely portrait indeed! Would like to see some more room on the left and would remove the straight oof grass.

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    Wonderful winsome feel to this image Morkel, and I really like the BG and the grasses. I don't really like that piece of OOF grass, but understand your cloning stance.
    Cheers
    Grant

  14. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for the generous feedback everyone!

    here is a repost I did from scratch as I had to recrop the original...this is now just about full frame with some cropping done for rotation of the image (face was "leaning forward" a bit).

    I think the blacks are more detailed now, thanks for pointing that out.

    Hilary, IMHO from my limited use of this combo I was blown away. In fact, the dream of owning the D3s and 200-400 lens has haunted me since this particular trip. I am getting some good mileage and results from my Canon gear, but I don't think one can compare the C 100-400 with the N 200-400...different class (that's why the Nikkor costs as much as the old Canon 500mm prime). The D3s is in a league of its own. I've had an agency accept files I shot with this camera at ISO-3200, the files are unbelievably clean and detailed at high ISO settings. I think Harshad alluded to it, but one can actually leave ISO-800 as a default shooting session on this machine.

    However, things are in motion which might see me realise my dream of owning this combo soon...watch this space
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 06-04-2011 at 04:02 PM.
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    Like the comp better on this shot Morkel...

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    Ofer Levy
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    Composition is great in the repost but I feel it is a bit flat - here is a version with some tiny adjustments.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    However, things are in motion which might see me realise my dream of owning this combo soon...watch this space
    Eagerly waiting to welcome you in Club D3/200-400. One mean combo if you are on African safaris or Mammal photography

  18. #18
    Santosh Tigga Saligram
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    My word, that's a beautiful portrait of an exceedingly pretty cat! I love your first re-post. The soft light works really well to get the details and the saturation out and the background complements well. The only thing I'd vote for is a bit deeper field to have a touch more of the leopard in focus.

  19. #19
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks guys!

    Ofer - thanks for your repost...what exactly did you do? The main difference I am seeing is a slight boost in contrast and warmth?

    Santosh - it was my first outing with this kind of lens and I underestimated the DOF on f4 a few times
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  20. #20
    Ofer Levy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    thanks guys!

    Ofer - thanks for your repost...what exactly did you do? The main difference I am seeing is a slight boost in contrast and warmth?
    Hi Morkel, can't really remember but I guess the usual levels, a boost in colour saturation and maybe some S/H.

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    great repost and image!

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