Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Western Diamondback Rattlesnale

  1. #1
    Mike Hannisian
    Guest

    Default Western Diamondback Rattlesnale

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This image was made with a Canon 1D Mark III and a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 390mm hand held. The ISO was 800, the aperture was f/5.6, the shutter speed was 1/125, and the EV was -0.33. The image is uncrooped and nothing was added or removed. The snake is wild and wholly unrestrained; I was about 4 feet from it and was being very careful!

  2. #2
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Mike, rather you than me in getting this shot, however I prefer to be this side of the screen when it comes to these guys.

    Based on the techs it looks like you were fighting for SS, as more DOF would have been nice, however this close I'm not sure if it would have helped, if that makes sense? I like the eye contact and the extended tongue sensing the air. If it was me, I might try cropping so the head was a little more to the left and less above, plus, and this being really picky, but rotate the image so the eyes are level, however that does create an issue when cropping as you lose a little with the rotation.

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

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Apethorpe, UK.
    Posts
    497
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great image Mike. I like the asymmetry in that the head is not in the centre due to the coil of this strike ready rattler. The detail could probably have been improved with a higher ISO value allowing for a faster shutter speed and maybe a slight increase in depth of field, otherwise well done.

  4. #4
    Mike Hannisian
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks, guys, for the input. I actually like the fact that the dof is limited. Also, although I obviously could do so now, this image was created as part of a contest that prohibited cropping. Again, it's really good to get the perspectives of other photogs.

  5. #5
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Nice intimate study here Mike...I concur with most of the points raised by Steve and Mark. I like the shallow DOF but feel it would have been nice if it was just a tad more?

    Anyway - here's a repost with some suggestions...take them or leave them, I have a peculiar way and sometimes what I do doesn't work for anyone else (which is also okay ).

    I basically ran a multiplied highlights layer (see Robert's sticky thread in the Wildlife main forum) at 30% opacity.
    Then I added a dark vignette, just to pull the viewer's eye a bit more towards the head.
    Lastly, some dodging of highlights and burning of shadows for depth and contrast....and a wee bit of sharpening to the eyes.

    Would love to know what you think?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Swaziland, Southern Africa
    Posts
    1,677
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a fascinating and mesmerizing image Mike - brave man ! Nice concept and execution and agree the shallow DOF works nicely, especially in the repost with the additional pp work.

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The DOF effect works well here, just the right parts in focus. I like Mork's additional sharpening in the repost.

  8. #8
    Mike Hannisian
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    Nice intimate study here Mike...I concur with most of the points raised by Steve and Mark. I like the shallow DOF but feel it would have been nice if it was just a tad more?

    Anyway - here's a repost with some suggestions...take them or leave them, I have a peculiar way and sometimes what I do doesn't work for anyone else (which is also okay ).

    I basically ran a multiplied highlights layer (see Robert's sticky thread in the Wildlife main forum) at 30% opacity.
    Then I added a dark vignette, just to pull the viewer's eye a bit more towards the head.
    Lastly, some dodging of highlights and burning of shadows for depth and contrast....and a wee bit of sharpening to the eyes.

    Would love to know what you think?
    I like the vignetting effect, which is something I do use on occasion, but overall (at least my eye) it looks a bit over processed. Nonetheless, I'll give it a try on a hi res version and see how that looks. Regardless, thanks for the input.

  9. #9
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Hannisian View Post
    I like the vignetting effect, which is something I do use on occasion, but overall (at least my eye) it looks a bit over processed. Nonetheless, I'll give it a try on a hi res version and see how that looks. Regardless, thanks for the input.
    No problem Mike...I should have added: "I probably overdid the vignette to make my point"
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  10. #10
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Mike - well done, agree with Stuart that the additional sharpening applied by Morkel helps. Nice pov but 4 ft is a little too close for my comfort. Presume it was rattling?

    TFS,
    Rachel

  11. #11
    DanWalters
    Guest

    Default

    Like the sharp tongue and eyes. Also like the body framing the head. Would like to see a little more of the body in focus.

  12. #12
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Agree with comments above , VWD
    TFS

  13. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pune,India
    Posts
    236
    Threads
    32
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Mike you are truly a brave man. I really like the shallow DOF, the way your eyes are drawn to the diamond shaped head and the tongue, really works for me.
    Very well done.

  14. #14
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Rocky Mountains
    Posts
    761
    Threads
    49
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Mike, I love this shot. The DOF being shallow is great with me, but if I were really being picky, a tad more DOF would help with the eyes being a bit sharper like the tongue. Again, being very picky! I would love to call this mine as it is in the OP and I would be proud as heck of it. The repost by Morkel does make the image pop a bit more to me. Congrats on a great shot and good luck in the contest!

  15. #15
    Mike Hannisian
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks for your input.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics