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Now that's a "frame filler" :)
Some great texture and light, you managed the composition well too!
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Wildlife Moderator
Hi Hilary, my first question is, why not B?W?
I really like the 2D 'in your face' approach, but for me I would have cropped down the middle of the trunk and added a little more canvas to the RHS, even having a straight overall BKG colour without the hills/mountains in, as it doesn't add anything for me, as it's all abot the face. I like the detail, but wonder if a bit more contrast would beef it up a bit, nice to have that eye open too with that gorgeous warm colour.
I can see this being quiet rich & contrasty, with even some film grain added too, making the image a gritty look & feel.
Now don't start about f stops, otherwise I will bring up portrait & vertical, LOL.
Would welcome your thoughts Hilary.
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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Another vote for B&W however I like the sharp closeup, love the detail TFS
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Excellent ele close-up. Details are colours are spot on to me (one I personally wouldn't actually do in B&W for that reason - I'd be too pleased with the colours) and I like the lean of the head to one side -it gives it a feeling of "contact". Like the whole ear too. I can't make up my mind about the second, half-hidden eye, but if you think it adds to that feeling of interaction or helps the balance "with", then I'm "with".
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Thank you everyone. I guess to answer the main question, why not b&w? Because of the eyes. For me, capturing elephant eyes has been incredibly difficult and seeing the lustrous colour of them in this bull, meant that I couldn't take that away. I feel like I'm looking into his soul.
I have another image with him tossing his head a bit more, where the light has just missed his eyes so I will turn that into a b&w and if I like it, will post it and see what everyone thinks. Appreciate the feedback, as always.
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A quick browser crop has me agreeing with Steve about cropping left in trunk.
Tom
ps - indeed happy to see my all time fav f stop, f8 !!!!
Last edited by Tom Graham; 02-09-2012 at 06:41 PM.
Reason: added ps
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Well, I may be on my own, happened before, but I've looked and looked at this image and if I take out the partly visible eye, then I've lost the whole aesthetic of the image which drew me to it in the first place. Appreciate the comments, but on this one I'm sticking with my first crop. Thanks everyone.
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Hilary - I agree with you. My initial reaction was along the lines of what Steve suggested but then I took your image into PS to play with the crop a bit and found that it lost the sense of depth when cropped from the left. It felt like a much flatter image and less interesting image (not sure I am expressing this in the best terms but almost soul-less). I like this a lot as is. Well done!
TFS,
Rachel
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Thanks Rachel, you expressed it very well. Perhaps it is a female perspective in this case.
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Hi Hilary,
lovely close up and beautiful texture.
VPN
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I like the crop with both eyes and i like it in color.
Very nice detail and textures, I wouldn't change a thing.
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Hi Hilary, I think this thread has provoked some thinking which is great and we all see things differently. Thanks for explaining on the rational behind your thinking.
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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Another vote for both eyes left in Hilary, for me it adds a little more depth with the increased contrast and shadow detail, love the lighting as well.
Just wondering if you could brighten his right eye a little more?
TFS
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I was glad to hear all opinions as it does help clear the mind. Tomorrow I will post a different view of this elephant to see what people think of it.
Marc, I will look at the eye again.
Steve, differing opinions and suggestions are invaluable, I agree.
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Some good points raised in the discussion so far! I like the intense close-up here Hilary...nice texture, tone and detail!
Personally I think I would've liked a tad more space below the tusk, and a hint more to the RHS. I do see Steve's point on the crop from the LHS - perhaps crop just enough to lose the eye as his right eye isn't adding a lot IMHO?
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Thanks Morkel for your comments, good points but on balance it is the eyes which make this image so they both need to stay. I have a bit more room so will look at that.
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Works for me , terrific details and IQ here
TFS
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