Mike Cohen
September 2023 - Giraffe and Calf
Original
About the Image(s)
The new sensors record so much information which allows the making a photograph like this possible. It’s difficult to recall all the steps I took processing but in general, I cropped to a vertical, selectively increased the exposure and saturation on the animals, the sky and the ground. I used Topaz for noise reduction, did a bit of dodging and burning and added a glow using NIK to everything but the animals. I normally would have liked a cleaner environment but felt that the mystery of the glow made the giraffes at home in this kind of spooky environment. I’m looking for feedback as to whether it’s a look I should pursue or stick to a more realistic rendering, as well as any other feedback anyone has to offer, good or bad. Shot with my Sony a1 and 400mm f/2.8 lens @ f/3.2, 1/320 second, ISO 640.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
A good photo Mike, good composition. I like the glow you have added, the only thing that really detracts, for me at least, is the almost stark line between the glow and the blue area. Again this is just my opinion, it makes it seem as though it was photographed with an artificial backdrop. Since I am still a novice at PP, I do not know if there is a way of softening that line, so can make no suggestions.
Posted: 09/13/2023 09:19:13
Posted: 09/13/2023 09:19:13
Thanks Ann. That bothers me as well but when I processed it I decided to live with it. It might be worth going back and changing the blue hue to something warmer. I appreciate the input. Posted: 09/13/2023 13:16:48
Lovely photo of the giraffe and the detail is sharp so my eye goes directly there. I like the young one's tuft of hair too so a nice detail. For me the glow is a bit too surreal but i tend to err on the side of being a purist but i think you have created the desired effect for what you wanted. The young giraffe has a different colour sheen...but maybe that was the way it was. Very nice composition and crop. Posted: 09/13/2023 14:42:05
What a sweet moment you have captured! It must have been thrilling. The eyes of both giraffes are sharp and lifelike. Most of us would give our eye teeth for an opportunity to capture an image like this.
Having said all that, there are some things about the image that, for me , take away some of the enjoyment of the scene - and this is strictly nit picking on my part. First I wish the line between the blue and orange in the sky was softer and did not cut across right in the middle of the giraffe's neck. Secondly, I wish the adult was engaged with the juvenile and not lookng away. I am curious about how long they stood there and if you have any other frames in which the adult and juvenile were more engaged. Posted: 09/17/2023 13:25:49
Having said all that, there are some things about the image that, for me , take away some of the enjoyment of the scene - and this is strictly nit picking on my part. First I wish the line between the blue and orange in the sky was softer and did not cut across right in the middle of the giraffe's neck. Secondly, I wish the adult was engaged with the juvenile and not lookng away. I am curious about how long they stood there and if you have any other frames in which the adult and juvenile were more engaged. Posted: 09/17/2023 13:25:49
All good points which I agree with. From all the comments. We raced to get to this position and this was the best interaction I was able to capture. The giraffe just weren't cooperating! Thanks for the good critiques. Posted: 09/17/2023 17:58:02
Mike, this is a wonderful image with a great story and interesting compositional elements. The detail on the subjects is great. I love that they are looking in opposite directions. It is as though the youth was just denied a request and the parent firmly sticks to its decision and looks sway to prevent further discussion. I like the parallel layers of sky and ground. They emphasize the size of the parent, and the colors are lovely. Your processing is amazing. The line between the orange and blue sky zones faithfully mimics the original which is quite sharp. I love the glow. I vote for pursuit. You mentioned a spooky environment. That gnarled bush to the left in the original would add spook value, and a third compositional element. Posted: 09/17/2023 18:08:26
I think you have captured a beautiful image of these giraffes. Your post processing has really added life to the image. Since we can't control environmental elements we just have to work with what we are given. Since the line on the horizon is there in the original I think you have done a nice job of adding interest with the brighter colors. At first I thought the image needed a little straightening but the giraffes are standing straight so I concluded it was a slope in the ground. I love the line of ox peckers going up the adults neck. The vertical crop works well for these tall creatures. If I had anything to suggest it would be to clone out the branches sticking in from the left by the baby. Posted: 09/17/2023 20:31:36
Thanks Pamela. Another good suggestion. Posted: 09/18/2023 01:02:39