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Cape Buffalo
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Cape Buffalo

by Richard Sandor

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 31, 2014191 views7 comments
I have difficulty in photographing these animals. Usually they are in herds, so getting separation is problematic. They also lack facial expression as might be seen in the cats and generally just stand around. But, that's the way it is.
This one was interesting to me because it cocked its head when the guide made a sound. I also liked the bits of grass sticking out of its mouth. I would have preferred to have been a bit lower, but there's no getting out of the vehicle when these guys are around.

C&C welcome especially with suggestions as to how to have done it differently or does it belong in the waste basket?

D4 and 80-400 lens at 240, f/5.6, 1/500, Auto ISO at 6400 and -1 1/3 EC.Richard

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on December 31, 2014 at 11:33 PM
I like this Richard. That is one large set of horns on this guy. I might try to pull some more detail from the blacks. The buffalo in the background are a bit of a distraction, but not a deal breaker. Well done.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Cross on January 1, 2015 at 12:32 AM
Well, he may not show much expression but the look on this guy says a lot. Certainly seems to create a bit of an attitude for him.. Staying in the vehicle seems wise. I like the comp of this one, but as Jerry point out those other ones behind him do muddy thing a bit. I'd like to see if you could pull a bit more detail from his black fur. That might keep the eyes on him and not start to wander to quickly. Thanks for getting me as close to one as I want to be.
Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on January 1, 2015 at 10:05 AM
Happy New Year Richard !

These guys have so much character ! And I feel this image has some great potential !

I am working from my small screen notebook and maybe not the best to view this but ..... I really like this , it shows very interesting , Detail seems quite good. The image is very cool , (White balance) temperature, maybe warm up and more detail willappear in darker areas ? is this full frame or cropped ? In your techs... Why did you use -1.3 meter compensation ?
Like the grass from its mouth hanging there , relaxed. Enjoy the chin whiskers!
Tone down the top of its head area where the horns separate , this will bring out detail better there, I think this area is at the fringe of DOF and a small toning there would really help. I don not mind seeing the others in background and do not feel a distraction.

A very good capture here !

Cheers

bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on January 1, 2015 at 11:27 AM
Thanks guys for the comments. I've opened the dark mass of the hair and have toned down the brighter parts of the horns. Bill, I shot with this much neg EC because it was quite dark and the animal, which nearly fills the frame is almost entirely black. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 2, 2015 at 10:41 AM
I think you did a fine job composing this with animals in the background and I agree that usually other individuals are a big issue, whereas here the depth of field control and comp make them part of the scene setting. I like the techs of the repost best, but in both examples the image seems slightly over-cool to me, so I would warm it a little to reduce the blue cast.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 4, 2015 at 6:02 PM
I like the head angle in this and the grass hanging out of the mouth Richard.I do agree with others about the image looking a bit cool. I am also confused about the -1 1/3 exp. You had the right thought process about wanting to make sure your shutter stayed open longer to properly expose all the blacks; however, you actually accomplished the opposite. When you decrease your exposure...you are not decreasing the darks...you are decreasing the amount of exposure TIME, so the shutter stays open for a less amount of time. As a result, you underexposed the image. Hope that helps. :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on January 5, 2015 at 7:54 AM
Thanks guys for the comments. I'm away from home now, so can't do any further post work. @Kurt: I shoot in Manual and Auto ISO. Shutter speed and aperture are fixed, leaving ISO as the only variable. When neg EC is applied, the ISO is lowered. Workis a treat. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments