Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Testing parameters

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default Testing parameters

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Although this lion portrait doesn't display excellent IQ, I am processing some of my high ISO images using LR3 & CS5 along with Morkel's suggestions to see how far I can push my 7D. This series of lions were some of the more disappointing captures of the trip as we had some interesting activity but it was in very bad light conditions. Rather than waste the images it seemed useful to test out some different pp skills and see what came out of it. This particular male lion (one of two pride males) was intently watching as we tried to extricate our open vehicle from the mud. I was ready with the 5D2 and 24mm lens in case he came closer and if he had the photograph would have been much better!!

    There are some rain drops which I haven't removed. Interested in opinions on how it turned out.

    7D; 100-400 @ 400mm; ISO3200; 1/500; f 5.6. Taken late evening.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A most unusual but impressively maned male here Hilary. The front torso appears to have nice detail, however his rear section is showing some noise (as far as one can tell from a limited size web posting).
    The BG looks very clean, however the grassed FG appears devoid of much detail, perhaps a little too heavy on NR here?
    All in all this guy really stands out considering the low light conditions and you should be quite happy with your PP skills.
    TFS


  3. #3
    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 Hilary, you did very well considering the conditions you had to play with and he looks a good size and condition.

    A couple of points which Marc has also highlighted too.
    - Firstly there are some artifacts (halo) around the RHS contour of the body & front leg
    - Agree with Marc about easing off on the NR, if it's what I think it is then easy to do
    - Looks like some cloning in the front. Have you tried extending the FG? If so, once again easy to do, there is a great tool

    I would also consider opening the image up via Levels & Curves, although Robert might also add here? The only issue you then may have is that it does not reflect the scene/time of day. Also you could afford a fraction off the LHS losing the black items at the foot, bottom LHC, WDYT?

    Glad you posted this in the route to developing your PP skills.

    Hope this helps, any questions just ask.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  4. #4
    Ofer Levy
    Guest

    Default

    Nice shot Hilary. I like the pose, nice shooting angle and BG. I am not sure the 7D can manage such high ISO as noise becomes a bit too noticeable.

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Marc, Steve and Ofer, plenty to consider.

    No cloning done at all, probably just a product of the poor condition of the file.

    Ofer, in my opinion the 7D struggles very much with these high ISOs although others have managed better images than me. But look at it this way, when you are tired of your mk4 and send it to me I'll have no noise issues at all!!

  6. #6
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    It looks really good Hilary, all things considered, and especially in light of your previous efforts. This has noise, sure...but I would dare say not as much as some of your previously posts at ISO-800 .
    I love the look of this guy. What I found when working with the 7D at high ISO-settings, is to watch the exposure - keep it slightly overexposed, and also not to have to crop too much...for high ISO on this camera you need to have frame-filling animals . How much of a crop is this?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You are quite right Morkel about exposing. I have learnt much about the camera and just wish I could get to Africa more often to test different processes.

    This image is cropped from horizontal to vertical so a big crop and although I like the pose I wouldn't consider using this for anything but as a processing exercise. Thanks for all the tips. It will be interesting to see if I can get better files on my next trip!!!

  8. #8
    DanWalters
    Guest

    Default

    Like the intense stare and the clean surroundings. Agree with a little over-exposure when capturing images.

  9. #9
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey, if you can play with your PP skills on your images, then my turn too
    To me and my monitor, original looks a bit dark/dull, also a bit blue /magenta.
    Also in PS when I zoom I'm seeing pixels become more "obvious", bigger, at smaller image magnification than I would expect. Don't know what is causing that, original image, your PP, or BPN, or ??
    Anyway, FWIW here's quick re-work, original on left, then nothing but a bit brighter and taking away little blue and magenta (no change in contrast nor saturation).
    Tom
    Name:  hhlion12.jpg
Views: 79
Size:  94.0 KB

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Tom, I think any practise to improve pp skills for us all is excellent so no problem re working mine. Looks good (at least given the original working material! )

  11. #11
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Tom,

    Your repost looks great to me and the side by side makes comparison so easy

    The main fault in the OP was IMHO the magenta cast, which you have sucessfully removed, obvously at this resolution I cannot really comment on noise levels

  12. #12
    Brendan Dozier
    Guest

    Default

    Great pose and expression you captured, Hilary. Beautiful lion, and some excellent advice regarding improving the image. I too struggle with the 7D's limitations at high ISO, sometimes its worth the extra effort, but I usually go no higher than 800, and rarely above 1000. Sad but true. Wondering what Canon body handles high ISO the best? Think I'll go ask in the general photography forum...

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Brendan Dozier View Post
    I too struggle with the 7D's limitations at high ISO, sometimes its worth the extra effort, but I usually go no higher than 800, and rarely above 1000. Sad but true. Wondering what Canon body handles high ISO the best? Think I'll go ask in the general photography forum...
    I will be interested in the responses you get. Glad to know someone who shares my pain!

  14. #14
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Mumbai , India
    Posts
    1,300
    Threads
    139
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wow ! A lovely capture ! Handsome male !! Too bad, the 7D does not hold up the hi ISO images quite so well . Tom's repost does look good . I too was considering the 7D as a second body option , but did not because of the hi iso noise performance .

  15. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the pose and your angle as well as the great kinda curious playful expression. Comments on the noise noted I had problems with the 7D on this and finslly moved to the MIII. Nice difference IMO

  16. #16
    anujgandhe
    Guest

    Default

    Nice shot. I loved the pose and BG. 7D cannot manage such high ISO as noise becomes too noticeable.

  17. #17
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks all for affirming my contention that I need the Mk4. Now to convince the bank!! And you should see my Aardwolf at ISO6400 .....

  18. #18
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You know my thoughts Hilary , DPP is the way to go IMHO
    TFS

  19. #19
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Harshad, I thought you might offer me a D3!?

  20. #20
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hilary Hann View Post
    Harshad, I thought you might offer me a D3!?
    It won't fit your canon glass

  21. Thanks Hilary Hann thanked for this post
  22. #21
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I think its great, perfect pose and so nice out in the open...I would suggest the same as Morkel, always trying to overexpose when shooting at high ISO with that camera

  23. #22
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hilary - another one here who shares your pain, so watching your experiments with interest. Thanks for doing the work so we all can learn.

    First rule of game drives - it's always right after the golden hour and just when the light really becomes too low to shoot that the best action or sighting occurs.

    Rachel

  24. #23
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Rachel … it is so true! I am consoled by the thought that being in the bush surrounded by wild animals doing their thing is sometimes more important than the photography (did I dare say that on a photo critiquing site? )

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