Flakes

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 10, 2011733 views23 comments

Just a quick one from Japan.

I was going through my old files just before I left and found this one. For some reason - don't ask me why, I don't have a clue - I shot this at f/2.8. As a result the DOF is very shallow and I'd prefer to see more. Shutter speed was 1/320, so that shouldn't have been the problem. Must have been the cold that shut my brain down.

My initial reaction was to throw the shot away, but then I realized that I often think that we (the serious photographers) tend to overanalyze our images, especially in a technical way. The fact that I, or any other photographer, would prefer more DOF (or more contrast, or more sharpness, etc.) in an image does not mean that magazines, newspapers, stock agencies, print buyers or friends and family members feel the same way. The more specialized or professional you become, the more obsessed you get with the small details, details other (normal

) people might not even notice. Just a reminder to not overanalyze my images to death

Anyway, I like the reflection, the pose and the snow flakes (especially the combination of the latter two) - so it will go into my selections folder, despite the shallow DOF.

Looking forward to meeting these guys again in a few days.

Greetings from sunny Tokyo!

D2X, AF-S VR 70-200/2.8, 1/320 @ f/2.8, ISO 400, handheld

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 10, 2011 at 8:57 AM

That expression is priceless..sure doesn't bother ME that all the fur is not tack-sharp.
The face and eyes are sharp, and that is enough, in this case.
Hope to join you in Japan one day..
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 10, 2011 at 9:17 AM

I can see the desire for more DOF on the head to really show off the details of the snow in the fur - but part of that is because I know what it would look like if there were more DOF. . . most people won' t know or won't care. This shot has Marsel van Oosten written all over it - the OOF snowflakes, the subdued lighting, the distant gaze of the monkey with that beautiful reflection...

Even when you "mess up" you still seem to do alright.

I will note, however that the larger image looks a bit grainy (but I am viewing this on a crappy monitor). Perhaps the exposure was increased a little to much on the rich blacks?

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on February 10, 2011 at 9:27 AM

Thanks Sandy.

And thanks Luke for your detailed feedback - much appreciated.

The noise is courtesy of the D2x. That camera was not good in the noise department. I would usually use my noise reduction plugin, but it has stopped working ever since I upgraded to CS5. I will look into it when I return from Japan - it bothers me as well.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on February 10, 2011 at 9:40 AM

I think it is perfect just the way it is, stunning work Marsel !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 10, 2011 at 10:15 AM

You have a fantastic image her Marsel....through the roof...fantastic expression here. I could really be wrong here ..but is this one tad bit tight ? ...absolute stunner anyways ...

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 10, 2011 at 12:03 PM

The expression would be enough to make me want to keep this image and look at it for a long time. Reflection is fantastic. Yeah, a little more DOF would be nice, but such a small issue for this image in my opinion. Glad you dug this one up

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on February 10, 2011 at 12:09 PM

A top notch image, very nicely done !
I do wish for more DOF, wanted to see some more definition in the relection.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Imprevento on February 10, 2011 at 2:11 PM

Glad you didn't throw it away Marsel...The DOF IMO works great in this image. Great expression on him too!
Beautiful work.

Registered on September 11, 2010, 29 Posts, 78 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on February 10, 2011 at 2:36 PM

Actually, for me the shallow DOF brings more focus to the eyes and the expression. Looks like you planned it that way!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on February 10, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Stunning, you caught the details where they count though.

Lots of emotion in this one.
Nice work

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Ernie Marx on February 10, 2011 at 7:35 PM

Another awesome shot, Marsel. I agree with Walt...the shallow DOF keeps the veiwer focused on the expression, which is absolutely priceless. Thanks for sharing this one.

Registered on July 14, 2010, 10 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM

Marsel - While I'm no wildlife photographer, the eyes look clear and sharp, and the wondering expression of the face makes it a real keeper in my book. The dark background and narrow DOF work very well.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on February 11, 2011 at 12:05 PM

This is beautiful! I really like the eyes and expression. In a perfect world I would like a bit greater DOF, but still a great image.

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 11, 2011 at 3:33 PM

Stunning! The face, the eyes, the lighting, the expression all make this a riveting image.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on February 11, 2011 at 6:12 PM

Wow - amazing !

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on February 11, 2011 at 11:54 PM

Speechless, for two reasons: First, for the quality of the image; Secondly, for being so hypercritical and for the needless self-flagellation!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 12, 2011 at 1:21 AM

Another awesome image of these snow monkeys Marsel. I do agree with your self-criticism regarding the DOF, but it still works well the way it is. The 'need' for more DOF will be most noticeable in case of a large print IMO, so I can imagine it will restrict the use of this image.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 12, 2011 at 11:10 AM

I agree with your own assessment of the image, Marsel. I think your point of over-analyzing is an important reminder to those of us who frequent these forums. What other photographers see and key upon can be very different from that of other audiences. Thanks for that reminder.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 14, 2011 at 10:40 AM

Another excellent capture Marsel. I really like the expression on the face in this shot. He seems to be pondering something. I also like the strectched out reflection and the snow in the BG adds to the climate.
I agree about having more DOF would be prime, but I think this still works because of the emotion it envokes. I think people buy art based on emotion and this shot has plenty of emotion

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on February 15, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Marsel, I think this picture is great and I am glad about the shallow depth of field as it enables me to concentrate on the expression on the face. My only criticism is that I would like to see a little more space on the right of the frame. Hope you manage to get some more shots shortly.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 15, 2011 at 4:21 PM

Very intriguing image and way to cool. The pose and the monkey's eyes really makes this image for me. You could of used more DOF but this is a wonderful image in it's own right, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Upjeet Singh on February 18, 2011 at 6:31 AM

This is an absolute Jem, the expression, eyes and the wet fur with snow really add a lot to this powerful portrait

Registered on May 8, 2010, 50 Posts, 55 Comments

Comment posted by Andrei Malashenko on March 24, 2011 at 11:50 PM

Hi Marsel,
Thanks for your comment on my wolf pic, I really appreciate it. Love this photo and your other Japan photos form your Squiver site which I have been following for quite some time now. Keep them coming. Best regards, Andrei

Registered on March 18, 2011, 13 Posts, 68 Comments