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Thread: So close and yet, so far...

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default So close and yet, so far...

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    To make a change one afternoon we decided to go on the lookout for Hippo, as we knew there was a pod of approximately 10-15 strong. It wasn't long before we found them and it didn't take long for us to gain their trust, as they gentle moved towards us, although we did ensure we had enough distance. Having taken numerous shots I thought it would be fun and try and convey the power of these animal when they made the odd lunge at us to show who was boss, but as usual things didn't go the way I planned it.

    Taking into account the direction, size within frame etc the 500 seemed OK, but this hippo just moved in a tad too close and I had wished for the 300 beside me, as the image needs more space below Going for a slower SS to get movement it does work I feel, rather than freezing everything which is the obvious choice.

    Steve
    Subject: Hippo mock charge, slow, blurred movement (Hippopotamus amphibius)
    Location: Botswana
    Camera: Canon MKIV
    Lens: 500f/4 - HH
    Exposure: 1/100s at f/11 ISO200 0 stop compensation
    Crop: Slight crop (original capture horizontal)

    The shot was taken from a skiff
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
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    Great shot, really conveys the huge explosive power of a hippo.
    Shutter speed works for me, hippo mouth ok sharp and showing water movement.
    But I would not want to be in the water that close to it!!! If I remember, hippos and crocs of all wildlife kill the most people in Africa??
    First thought is I'd prefer less blown white, bottom and left, but you know the more I look the more this seems to add to the explosive power of the hippo. Wonder if others feel same??
    Tom

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Steve - I agree with your self-critique, needs more room below but the ss works well to convey the power. Nice low pov from the skiff. I don't think I would have had the nerve to get this close Great detail on the top of the mouth.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Steve,
    What a dramatic image gives a feeling of shear power.
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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Ah yes........the gnashing jaws of death!
    Well depicted here Steve, agree on more lower room and the blown whites are a tad distracting but a resulting consequence of the slower S/S, so one must go with the flow on that.
    TFS


  6. #6
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    so one must go with the flow on that.
    Oh, was that a pun there Marc?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    I feel this works even with the obvious "bottom" nit, as the blurred action is what it's all about, with the top jaw nice and sharp.
    Have you tried it in B&W? Did something quickly but might not be the best version that's possible with careful conversion...?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    OP works for me , great image
    TFS

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