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Thread: Gently does it

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Gently does it

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    The dexterity of this Giraffe tongue was just amazing, how it just worked its way around these thorny bushes with no fear for the huge spikes was certainly an art.

    Steve
    Subject: Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Giraffe close up feeding on acacia bush
    Location: Samburu, Kenya
    Camera: Canon MKIII
    Lens: 500f/4 - handheld
    Exposure: 1/1250s f/4 ISO 200 0 stop compensation.
    Crop: 96% of original, slight crop (original capture horizontal)
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Steve, like the interesting behaviour captured so well here, and the way tha the spiky white thorns catch the light. Nice light in the giraffes eye, and good details. I would consider getting rid of those upright branches that protrude above and behind the giraffe if you have a mind to do that...
    Also like the zigzag shape of the acacia branch that the giraffe is feeding on. Giraffe can be hard to take interesting pics of, so a good idea to get behaviour like this...

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Ironically Grant I did hum & harr about removing the branches just above the mane, and certainly, from an aesthetics POV as you say, it would look 'nicer'. But I felt it might look too clinical, based on the branches below the jaw not protruding above , being shielded by the head, if that makes sense.

    This was the same giraffe from the previous posting.

    cheers
    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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    Either way works fine for me Steve, I don't find those branches make or break the shot, just noted as a possible distraction. I find myself drawn to the right side of the image anyhow, to the area around the giraffe's mouth and that zigzag branch...cheers
    Grant

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Steve - beautifully captured behavior, the conversion works very well too. I don't mind the other branches as I find myself drawn to the tongue and the eye.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    I really like the moment here..like we have said before to get an interesting image of a Giraffe is not easy, so this moment makes it interesting...Anyhow not totally convinced on the B&W conversion. Seems very light for my taste. Im sure if the light was better you would have gone for color which I think would have worked better here. something about the eye draws my attention (Not keen on the artificial metallic look of the eye)....But do agree with you,watching the agility and maneuverability of the tongue is fantastic to watch. Also the adaptations of the saliva and tongue to handle thorns of Acacia's is quite amazing.

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    Oh cool shot Steve, love the tongue, it's amazing how those big thorns don't bother him. Superb image and interesting comp ... Bravo

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Really like the tones and detail of this one Steve. Agree with your assessment of the branch behind the mane. It adds a sense of depth having it stick up behind him. We have a pretty successful breeding program for giraffes here at our local zoo and its always interesting to see the reactions from people the first time one of these guys sticks out their tongues to grab one of the snacks you can feed them.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    nice behaviour shown here Steve, their tongues are amazing

    I like the composition here, but also not too excited about the conversion ...I think Dumay hit it on the head, seems a bit "light" and too much "grey" for me - but you know I like it with loads of contrast. I would love to see (a) the colour version and (b) a B&W rework with the BG much darker so the giraffe stands out more, and with a touch more contrast?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
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    Yea Steve , great close up and behaviour. Nice detail but also would like to see it a touch darker with more contrast. Love the detail with the tongue around the branch of thorns.

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