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Thread: Contemplation!!!

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    Default Contemplation!!!

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    I found this lioness at Bedinkt waterhole in the KTP. She was the alpha female of the Bedinkt pride and at the time the pride was in the process of being taken over by a new male. She was alert at all times to the whereabouts of the male. I took this image just prior to her lifting her head as she looked for him. For her troubles she had a large bite mark to her left hindquarter.
    Camera details:
    Nikon D3s
    Nikon 600mm f4 VR lens
    Wimberley head
    Aperture f6.3
    S/S 1/250
    ISO 320
    Manual mode
    Image processed in ACR, CS5 and Nik Efex on a 15" MBP.
    Comments welcome.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Mark, I like the pose & gaze, but some of the PP does not look right? Some of the main areas like the paw in the FG, around the neck & below the ear as if it is painted, there's no detail or definition in there, juxtapose to the eyes which look good. I would also think about remove some of the Blue within the image too.

    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 Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love the pensive pose here Mark, and agree with Steve on some detail/colour boost.
    TFS


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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I like it, though it looks like OOTB processing.
    Dan Kearl

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    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by dankearl View Post
    I like it, though it looks like OOTB processing.
    It does have that sort of look but to me it looks like to aggressive noise reduction. Though at ISO 320 and this camera I would think that it would not bee needed.

    I like the composition. The subject's expression matches your title well. I would revisit the PP.

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    Very the comp and thinking look Mark. With Steve and Robert on post processing.

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    Ken Watkins
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    Mark,

    I cannot help but agree that there is something wrong here in particular on the right hand leg and under the chin, but I have no idea what could have caused it.

    The blue cast is explained by what appears to be shady conditions and should be easily fixed.

    If the detail is there in the RAW this will make a mighty fine image.

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    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
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    Agree with others, blue color cast. And its left (?) paw looks very strange with no hair detail, and same "blotches" randomly on lion.
    Tom
    Last edited by Tom Graham; 03-13-2012 at 11:47 PM.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    I'm afraid I have to agree with the above comments, Mark. The eyes pop nicely but overall the image just has that look of noise reduction being overdone. Do you work selectively with NR? When I apply it, I make sure I apply it to the BG only. If you used the NR sliders in LR3 you need to be careful as they cannot be applied selectively...I rather do this in PS where I can mask and select very carefully.

    PS: do you have any images of the beautiful male who took over this pride? I looked for him for 4 days but to no avail...though it seems when we were there the pride who moved between Bedinkt and Kwang had 2 large males in coalition?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Hi Dan, Steve, Robert, Marc, Sid and Ken,
    I agree about the blue cast and the sharpening. I have been trying a different approach to my workflow and your comments have helped me no end, thank you very much. The lioness is lying with her head some distance to her left with the front left paw being folded away from her head while the right paw is more to the left. There is a difference in the sharpness/focus of the left eye to that of the right and this follows the sharpening of the paws. The repost, for me, is much better than the original. I must thank you all for the valuable lesson which helps to improve my post processing.
    Mark.

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    Last edited by Mark Wiseman; 03-14-2012 at 02:16 AM.

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    Hi Morkel,
    The original post had no selective noise reduction, but the repost has. I routinely use selective noise reduction in CS5 on the background and then sharpen the image accordingly, as I have done on the repost. I was trying something different and congrats to those who posted comment. I will have a look to see if I have any images of the new male. He could be in a coalition, but the two old males will probably try there hardest to remain leaders of this pride. However, Jan and Freek are definitely on there way out as the state of there teeth was shocking with fractured canines and no incisors to speak of. They will have great difficulty hunting and protecting the pride and will be totally dependant on the lionesses for there survival. Thanks for your comment,
    Mark.
    Last edited by Mark Wiseman; 03-14-2012 at 02:54 AM.

  19. #12
    Ken Watkins
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    Mark,

    The repost is a vast improvement, personally I think it still needs a little more contrast and a little more oomph.

    I have tried to demonstrate what I mean

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Mark - repost is a vast improvement though it still looks a little off around the neck. I like the pop and warmth of Ken's repost but might drop the yellows a tiny bit.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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  23. #14
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Like the comp and your repost improves the image. Didn't mind the look of the OP that much, had a nice, almost oil painting look to it.

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