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Thread: American Alligator (c)

  1. #1
    Robert Amoruso
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    Default American Alligator (c)

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    From Gatorland this weekend.

    Canon 5D Mark II Canon 600mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC (840mm)
    1/500 sec, f/5.6
    Mode: Manual Metering:
    Evaluative ISO: 800

    PSCS5 ACR - Nik Color Efex Pro BW Conversion and Detail Extractor - Reduce for JPG - Sharpened
    Last edited by Robert Amoruso; 03-18-2012 at 09:09 AM.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Robert - very effective. I like the strong reflection and the tonal range. What was the ss? Must have been slow to get the effect in the water but the gator and reflection are sharp.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  3. #3
    Ken Watkins
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    Robert,

    You know I am not a great fan of B&W but this is amazingly effective, the extra space at the bottom is a bonus. I to would be interested in how you got the foreground water to look like it does

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Certainly a different approach Robert in conveying this animal, I like the very strong B/W, but especially the way you have treated the water & ripples. Just need to ponder on the crop & primarily, the position of the croc.

    Rachel you read my mind re SS.

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

  5. #5
    Robert Amoruso
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    Rachel, 1/500 sec, f/5.6. When I copied the EXIF data I highlighted this info instead of the subject distant and deleted it by accident. :(

    Shutter speed is fast enough to freeze the water. The affect is a function of the limited DOF and the bokeh of the 600mm lens which I always have loved for doing the gators here. When I saw this pop up on the LCD I knew I had it. If you look at the interview Jules did with me, I have a similar shot of a water-borne plant with the same look. All in camera produced.

    Ken, Color version coming. See my comments above on the look.

    Steve, I did a ROT crop with the left eye (his right eye) at the power point. Full frame version here with the FG path of light framed more in the diagonal. This is the type of thing I need to live with to decide which I prefer. Your perceived this well that I had cropped it. With an image like this I will work to frame in camera as I have done in this post with the gator head in the center of the upper 3rd of the frame and the brighter portion of the water diagonally leading to the head. Upon second look, I feel I may be leaning towards this version more then the OP.

  6. #6
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I will work to frame in camera
    It's the way to go, as I have said many times, but perhaps allow a hint more around for final cropping.

    Actual Robert, and it might be rather pedestrian in my POV, but I quite like the RP having the gator central, were the eyes are resting on the first 1/3rd and the light 'ripple' leading diagonally to the LHC, but finishing on light area rather than the darker part appearing in the bottom LHC as presented, if that makes sense.

    How do you find the 600mm weight wise?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  7. #7
    Robert Amoruso
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    I agree Steve, I am finding I like my in-camera crop above more then the OP.

    600mm f/4 IS is a heavy lens. Tripod only for me though I have made a few HH that I like. It is not the new version out now. I like it. It is tack sharp. No reason to upgrade at the $$$ they now charge.

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Robert - thanks for the explanation. I'll have to take a look at the interview. I too prefer the repost.

    Well done!
    Rachel

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    Hi Robert

    I love the image ,

    I thought the image needed some black/dark areas just to essentuate the light areas which in turn leads the eye nicely to subject...TBH I would probably darken the RHS of croc just a little to match the light falling on water...

    like the crop as is...

    great to see more black and white images


  10. #10
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Another vote for your RP Robert. Nice light and texture on the water and I like how the lighter parts lead right to the gator's head. Also like how the light water behind his head hints at the submerged body although I don't think the body is actually on that angle.

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    Excellent photo. As a reptile enthusiast, I love seeing interesting shots of alligators. I also vote for the repost wit the gator centered. Peter's repost is more dramatic, but I might not go quite that much darker.

  12. #12
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinStohlgren View Post
    Excellent photo. As a reptile enthusiast, I love seeing interesting shots of alligators. I also vote for the repost wit the gator centered. Peter's repost is more dramatic, but I might not go quite that much darker.
    I have three different versions of the 2nd post I did, the full frame one, with varying degrees of contrast from the brighter version I posted to one like Peter suggested. I will ultimately decide which I prefer. Right now I prefer to leave the tonality of the gator's head like my 2nd posted and created a more dramatic contrasting light to dark surrounding area in the water. Neat thing is I can do a lot with this image in terms of manipulating the tonal quality.

  13. #13
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinStohlgren View Post
    Excellent photo. As a reptile enthusiast, I love seeing interesting shots of alligators. I also vote for the repost wit the gator centered. Peter's repost is more dramatic, but I might not go quite that much darker.
    I have three different versions of the 2nd post I did, the full frame one, with varying degrees of contrast from the brighter version I posted to one like Peter suggested. I will ultimately decide which I prefer. Right now I prefer to leave the tonality of the gator's head like my 2nd posted and created a more dramatic contrasting light to dark surrounding area in the water. Neat thing is I can do a lot with this image in terms of manipulating the tonal quality.

    The version posted here used a s-curve to increase contrast on the water. I masked out the head from this affect except for the eyes that I let get darker. I am favoring the head remaining primarily made up of midtones.

    The one thing I do prefer in the original post is the larger head - for this size post that makes the head more dramatic. But I think my in camera original crop is better compositional-wise.
    Last edited by Robert Amoruso; 03-18-2012 at 03:31 PM.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    interesting concept nicely executed here Robert.
    I like the framing of your "uncropped" RP more, but I do like the way Peter has darkened some areas to increase emphasis in his repost, which you incorporated in your last repost. I like the idea of having the 'gator consist of more midtones, also makes it stand out more.
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 03-18-2012 at 04:01 PM.
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Like your last RP Robert and I think Peter's darkening of the surrounding areas was a good call, as it really brings out more of that lovely water and the textures & tones within it.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  16. #16
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    interesting concept nicely executed here Robert.
    I like the framing of your "uncropped" RP more, but I do like the way Peter has darkened some areas to increase emphasis in his repost, which you incorporated in your last repost. I like the idea of having the 'gator consist of more midtones, also makes it stand out more.
    Actually, I had this version done already. I have multiple versions both with varying tonal graduations and crops. I will put them in a slide show and run them as I decide which I prefer. I think Steve made a good call earlier on alternate crops and Peter on tonal distribution. The thread is turning into an excellent learning example on how your attitudes towards an image can very even over the course of a day as well as others impressions and interpretations.

  17. #17
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Like your last RP Robert and I think Peter's darkening of the surrounding areas was a good call, as it really brings out more of that lovely water and the textures & tones within it.
    The higher contrast makes the water bolder, hence your impression Steve. Actually the lighter version I posted shows lots of details, just not as bold looking. My work on the water will continue as the week goes by.

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    You always comeup with interesting images Robert. Very nice.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    The thread is turning into an excellent learning example on how your attitudes towards an image can very even over the course of a day as well as others impressions and interpretations.
    Just a thought Robert, but is this worth posting elsewhere in the Forum to make full potential of this thread?
    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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    An interesting B&W conv here Robert, really like the water ripples and position of the croc in the frame, nicely done.


  21. #21
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Just a thought Robert, but is this worth posting elsewhere in the Forum to make full potential of this thread?
    I was thinking the same thing Steve. When it runs its course here I will copy to the Education Forum.

  22. #22
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sid Garige View Post
    You always comeup with interesting images Robert. Very nice.
    Thanks Sid, I appreciate that coming from someone with many interesting images too.

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Amazing Robert, sorry I am late this. I like everything about it.
    Superb. The OP and Peter's repost are both great in their own way. I like the silver caste of the OP and the brooding
    look of Peter's.
    Inspiring.
    Dan Kearl

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