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Thread: Kudu Stare

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Kudu Stare

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    I like the alert stare that I managed to capture from this female Kudu. Taken late afternoon in the Kruger National Park late Oct. The BG is naturally OOF as captured.

    Canon 50D
    100-400 @ 375mm
    1/250
    F/6.3
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp 0
    Hand held from the car.

  2. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    Stuart,

    Another of my favourite animals, I think this is the first one I have ever seen where you can see inside its nose marvelous

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    Stuart, you have certainly captured the alertness of the antelope, but even better you have shown the strain in her face as she tries to work out whether there is danger out there. Her veins are raised and her nostrils flared (talking in horse terms here! ) and her ears could hardly be any further forward. Love the background, very flattering.

    One downside though, the IQ of the kudu herself. She looks like she could take a little more sharpening and maybe the ss was a fraction slow. But I'd try another round of sharpening to see if it improves her a bit, would certainly think it worth it as it is a lovely portrait.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Ken, Hilary, thanks for your feedback. The is natuaral as shot.

    Hilary, here is a repost with additional sharpening. I didnt go overboard, but there is an adjustment. Any better?
    Last edited by Stu Bowie; 11-23-2011 at 09:57 AM.

  5. #5
    Ken Watkins
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    Stuart,

    Definitely sharper and slightly better

    I do hope you did not do my favourite trick and forget to do a little sharpening after conversion

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    Stu you know im a big fan of your work, and love your sharpening but something is not up to your high standard here. The IQ looks off and to me it looks like mild motion blur but I could be wrong. I love the cocked ear and clean BG but for me the IQ is just not there.

  7. #7
    Robert Amoruso
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    I think where Dumay is coming from is the softness in the eye on the right (animal's left). At 1/250 sec shutter, some motion blur could be affecting this as well. I tend to feel as Dumay feels, it looks a bit soft as I do not see a point of critical sharpness on the image.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Stuart, the image portrays an almost sculpture look to it, with very angular, yet refined/delicate features of this photogenic animal, however I still feel the male is the better looking with his 'corkscrew' antlers. Having a clean, yet diffused BKG really lifts this portrait.

    Would agree on the observations made by Dumay & Robert. One question, did you lighten the RH nostril as viewed?

    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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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Ditto Hillary on all her positive points. Eye still looks soft to my eyes. The alert pos is just awesome!
    Marina Scarr
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Stuart - Nice to see a close up of a female kudu. I usually see them scampering off. I agree with the observations about the kudu's left eye.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Please delete this post. I have reposted below.
    Last edited by Stu Bowie; 11-24-2011 at 01:00 AM.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Stuart, the image portrays an almost sculpture look to it, with very angular, yet refined/delicate features of this photogenic animal, however I still feel the male is the better looking with his 'corkscrew' antlers. Having a clean, yet diffused BKG really lifts this portrait.

    Would agree on the observations made by Dumay & Robert. One question, did you lighten the RH nostril as viewed?

    TFS
    Steve
    Thanks Steve. I looked at the original, and the red of the nostril is visible. I did lighten it a little more.

    Thanks to everyone else too. IQ and eye noted.

  13. #13
    Ken Watkins
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    Stuart,

    IMHO it is always best to lighten the nose when there is something to see

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    Stuart, a very nice portrait. Liked the expression very much. Part of the left cheek seems to be a little OOF, very little though.

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Hi Stuart,
    She certainly is focused on something. I like the textures in the ears of these animals (although this one looks like she could use a cleaning!). YOu got a nice BG for this portrait too. When I looked at this I thought to myself that she looked like she could be a hand puppet (such a skinny neck)

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    Stuart, A beautiful graphic look to this image. She is elegant, and alert against the lovely BG. Really like the veins, and flaring nostrils.

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    super shot bhai and your re-post took this over to next level
    TFS

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks a stack for your input and feedback everyone.

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