Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Lioness

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

    Default Lioness

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    7D; 100-400 @ 400; ISO800; 1/320: f6.3

    One of two lionesses seen by the marshes at Lewa WC, the other lioness was off mating with one of the pride males. We watched this lioness over a couple of days and she looked melancholy for the whole time. This was taken at around 6pm … sunset on the Equator. Hopefully the NR versus sharpening has worked a little better.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    George, South Africa
    Posts
    1,462
    Threads
    255
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    hi Hilary

    just thought it needed a little boost

  3. #3
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Peter,

    Your repost is a big improvement, I found the original post to be quite dull.

  4. #4
    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

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Hilary, good on you, things are looking up and this is a nice post/portrait. The PP is coming along nicely and armed with your expanding knowledge of PP and your new skills 'toolbox' you will have before the end of the year, then like a lot of us, we know next years trips will be very fruitful.

    Looks like the NR & sharpening is spot on, wouldn't change a thing and the BKG separates the subject nicely. The colours look to reflect a slightly overcast day which obviously has helped retain the whites. Personally I find Peters a tad too contrasty, especially with the blacks and the eyes just bright, however you could just tweak yours a fraction if you wish taking on board some of his thoughts. Just wonder if the magenta is coming through just a little, more evident when you compare the two together???

    I might suggest a slightly tighter crop, only to remove the hip area, plus, perhaps a portrait format might also work too.

    Well done.

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

  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
     
    This has to boast with the best IQ I've seen from your posts in a while, Hilary...
    Nicely composed/cropped too.

    I too felt it was a tad underexposed, but looking at Peter's repost it is a bit 'too much' for me - somewhere in the middle might be best?
    Here is my take...darkened BG slightly, and did some selective dodging on midtones and shadows of her face.

    Peter,

    Your repost is a big improvement, I found the original post to be quite dull.
    Ken, could you perhaps clarify that comment? I can see that the OP was a tad underexposed on the face...but in my mind (and I'm sure many others ), the word "dull" has a much more negative connotation...
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  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

    Sorry Steve - posted simultaneously there .
    I like your crop suggestion.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  7. #7
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Morkel,

    I am not going to enter into correspondence with you regarding the meaning of my comment, if you think that dull can be considered "negative" then that is your choice.

    But to me it means "lacking life" or as others may put it "oomph!",

    This is totally supported by the subsequent reposts by Steve and yourself, which have adressed some of my reservations regarding the OP.

  8. #8
    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 Ken Watkins View Post
    Morkel,

    I am not going to enter into correspondence with you regarding the meaning of my comment, if you think that dull can be considered "negative" then that is your choice.
    No need to. I merely asked to 'clarify' - not to debate...
    Which you did here:

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Watkins View Post
    But to me it means "lacking life" or as others may put it "oomph!",

    This is totally supported by the subsequent reposts by Steve and yourself, which have adressed some of my reservations regarding the OP.
    Cheers
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  9. #9
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Peter, I agree that a bit more contrast works well and I like your repost which echoes some of your comments re my b&w leopard (some time ago now).

    I will perhaps tone it down slightly (as suggested by Steve & Morkel) only because it mirrors the slightly contemplative mood shown by the lioness at the time.

    Morkel, I am using your workflow as a template and adjusting it here and there to get a feel for parameters which suit the result I'm looking for. I was pleased with this outcome but did ignore contrast to achieve tone. Happy mediums and balance are always in the back of my mind whilst I'm trying to extract the best from my current files. By starting on these fairly standard shots I hope to be able to do a better job on some of the more interesting ones. Having a lot more fun though. The positive and helpful ideas I've been given have been most welcome.

  10. #10
    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

    Hilary, you are most welcome and WE are all very happy to help you and others and see how people develop/progress. Keep up the good work.

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

  11. #11
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    WE are all very happy to help you and others
    Steve,

    A most interesting comment from you, it makes you think, I think

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hilary - I too am learning from each of your posts so thanks. I think your OP depicts the melancholy feel you describe. I believe it has something to do with the darker eyes which Steve's repost retains a bit more than the other reposts.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  13. #13
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    No need to. I merely asked to 'clarify' - not to debate...
    Which you did here: Cheers
    You are most welcome Morkel

  14. #14
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Apethorpe, UK.
    Posts
    497
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Hilary,
    I like your image. There is good detail, a nice background and you have a good POV.
    I agree that the image needs a boost and the work done by Steve and Morkel has resulted in an improvement.
    I feel there has been too much contrast applied in Peter's repost. I feel the crop applied by Steve adds to your image.
    Please remember that the image was taken by you. You pressed the shutter release, the post processing and your workflow can be done by anyone as shown by the above reposts.
    You have done well and I am sure the next image will be just as good.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Mark.

  15. #15
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Rachel and Mark. I appreciate the feedback.

  16. #16
    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    In the whole wide world!
    Posts
    2,788
    Threads
    332
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve's crop and Morkie's processing =
    Cheers, Jay

    My Digital Art - "Nature Interpreted" - can now be view at http://www.luvntravlnphotography.com

    "Nature Interpreted" - Photography begins with your mind and eyes, and ends with an image representing your vision and your reality of the captured scene; photography exceeds the camera sensor's limitations. Capturing and Processing landscapes and seascapes allows me to express my vision and reality of Nature.

  17. #17
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice indeed Hilary , loved the looks she is giving and stunning BG
    TFS

  18. #18
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Jay and Harshad.

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