My first Photoshop experiment

shakari · 10-01-2006, 18:35

Folks,

The first image is as it was taken and the second one was after a little sharpening and enhancement...... so what did I do right and/or wrong........ That is other than cut off the tail! - Sorry about that but I guess I could add it on with PS if I knew how!!!

Guess I probably made a pigs ear of it but the only way to learn is to ask you guys for comments.....

shakari · 10-01-2006, 18:36

Oooops looks worse than the original now I've got it on the forum!!!!

dod · 10-01-2006, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakari

Oooops looks worse than the original now I've got it on the forum!!!!

Hehe, nothing worse is there

I'm not sure what you've done but I think this is actually a case of less is more. I had a quick play with it and really all it arguably needs is a tweaking of the levels (pull in the left hand slider) and possible the saturation. But just small doses, the good thing here is you've found out how too much tinkering can be detrimental. Well done for trying though

***Dave*** · 10-01-2006, 19:01

For the scanned shots I just posted, I wasn't going to spend ages playing with them, so I took the following 3 steps :-

- Adjust Levels (try Auto Levels if need be at first)
- Adjust colour (again hit Auto Colour - if it looks wrong then take a setp back & leave)
- Lastly use "Unsharp mask" or "Smart Sharpen" (I used latter this time round - take it in small steps until happy)

As already stated, less is more....usually.

By the way your subject shots are going to make a lot of jealous you know.....what's the chance of us catching a Lion running !!!

CT · 10-01-2006, 19:21

Oi! stop posting these bloody excellent shots.

shakari · 10-01-2006, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJW

By the way your subject shots are going to make a lot of jealous you know.....what's the chance of us catching a Lion running !!!

It's actually very easy if you go to the right place....... I know of at least two safari lodges where I could guarantee showing you a running Lion within a few hours..... one of them I could guarantee a full out charge from at least one Lion and possibly two within the same amount of time.

Warspite · 10-01-2006, 21:46

Great shots - and something different, dont see many lions in Newcastle (UK)

Dont like the look in his eyes though - and I dont mean that as critical of the shot

IanC_UK · 10-01-2006, 21:51

shakari ill have to give you a shout if i get a safari holiday booked up

Try reading this to help with post processing

its mainly for digital but should translate over to film !

I have a 50E too !

Venomator · 10-01-2006, 22:32

See Shakari ... only been here five minutes and already learning new stuff !?!

Btb - prefer the 'undoctored' Lion though ... but at least you are experimenting ! Only way to learn ...

***Dave*** · 11-01-2006, 09:26

How do you get a Lion to run like that ? I'm guessing by offering food from landrover racing ahead in in front ?

shakari · 11-01-2006, 11:13

That particular Lion is one of another pair of brothers that had been hand reared in Namibia. When they got too big to keep in and around the house the owner built a large double fenced compound to keep them in....... over the years they have become very aggressive. Especially around feeding time. There's a raised observation/photography platform next to the compound. (between the two fences).

I got up on the platform and waited for the two Lions to be fed and as soon as they started feeding I moved around a little on the platform so that they noticed me and within a few seconds the more aggressive of the Lions abandoned his grub and gave me a flat out charge........works every time!!!

They're fed about every other day and as long as you're around at that time it's possible to provoke a charge anytime they're feeding. I've found the key to good animal photo opportunities is to study animal behaviour and body language and it's usually possible to predict what they're gonna do and to some extent I can use my behaviour to alter their behaviour if I need to....... but of course, you have to know what you're doing and how much you can push your luck.

Here's an example. I've known and studied these bulls for some years and know that they're very relaxed around people if they know where those people are. I spotted them feeding in this area one day and slowly walked up to them and just kept chatting in a low voice to them/myself. As they knew where I was and posed no threat to them they were happy to let me get within about 10-15 yards. As I moved closer, they kept what they considered a comfortable distance between us and I was able to move to one side to make them move into an area I had a nicer background. Then I knelt down and started taking pics......and they were completely relaxed with that. Had their body language showed any alarm at any time I would have withdrawn back to the safety of my vehicle. As it was, I reckon I got some pretty nifty shots......... that said, they're my usual lousy standard and I haven't photoshopped them yet........ The bull in the foreground is blind in his left eye so I had to keep on the right side of him so that he could see me at all times.

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 11:21

Very interesting stories, thanks for sharing

SammyC · 11-01-2006, 11:30

It makes you sick doesn't it!

Marianne · 11-01-2006, 17:34

well I'm impressed....and I'm not into animal photograhy, having said that, if I was into animal hphotography then these are the types of animal shots I would like to have taken....does that make sense? keep up you lot!

***Dave*** · 11-01-2006, 19:05

Noticed our driver revved the engine a few times when near to Bull elephants to get a response. Noticed the Elephants are a lot larger than in UK captivity & one charging you is pretty impressive (& scary) . First one then turned around & side swiped a large tree which immediately was flattened !! Very powerful animals

shakari · 11-01-2006, 20:46

Very powerful indeed..... I know of 3 people (2 of whom were friends) killed by Elephants in the last 5 years or so.

Revving of engines etc is really a sign of lack of knowledge of game animals. The best thing to do is just keep the engine ticking over so they know you're there but don't panic them...... that statement only really refers to animals in parks..... the ones in true wilderness areas tend to write their own rules a lot more.

Can someone tell me what the rule is about posting a pic taken by someone else? I have a fabulous picture of a charging Elephant that was taken by someone who died a few years ago. I was told the image is now "public property" - but I'm not certain and don't know the rules here on this.......

Arkady · 12-01-2006, 09:50

I think as long as you put the photographers name next to it, it shouldn't cause any dramas

10-01-2006, 18:35	#1 (permalink)
shakari Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Near Kruger Park RSA Posts: 51	My first Photoshop experiment Folks, The first image is as it was taken and the second one was after a little sharpening and enhancement...... so what did I do right and/or wrong........ That is other than cut off the tail! - Sorry about that but I guess I could add it on with PS if I knew how!!! Guess I probably made a pigs ear of it but the only way to learn is to ask you guys for comments.....

10-01-2006, 19:01	#4 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	For the scanned shots I just posted, I wasn't going to spend ages playing with them, so I took the following 3 steps :- - Adjust Levels (try Auto Levels if need be at first) - Adjust colour (again hit Auto Colour - if it looks wrong then take a setp back & leave) - Lastly use "Unsharp mask" or "Smart Sharpen" (I used latter this time round - take it in small steps until happy) As already stated, less is more....usually. By the way your subject shots are going to make a lot of jealous you know.....what's the chance of us catching a Lion running !!! __________________

11-01-2006, 11:13	#11 (permalink)
shakari Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Near Kruger Park RSA Posts: 51	That particular Lion is one of another pair of brothers that had been hand reared in Namibia. When they got too big to keep in and around the house the owner built a large double fenced compound to keep them in....... over the years they have become very aggressive. Especially around feeding time. There's a raised observation/photography platform next to the compound. (between the two fences). I got up on the platform and waited for the two Lions to be fed and as soon as they started feeding I moved around a little on the platform so that they noticed me and within a few seconds the more aggressive of the Lions abandoned his grub and gave me a flat out charge........works every time!!! They're fed about every other day and as long as you're around at that time it's possible to provoke a charge anytime they're feeding. I've found the key to good animal photo opportunities is to study animal behaviour and body language and it's usually possible to predict what they're gonna do and to some extent I can use my behaviour to alter their behaviour if I need to....... but of course, you have to know what you're doing and how much you can push your luck. Here's an example. I've known and studied these bulls for some years and know that they're very relaxed around people if they know where those people are. I spotted them feeding in this area one day and slowly walked up to them and just kept chatting in a low voice to them/myself. As they knew where I was and posed no threat to them they were happy to let me get within about 10-15 yards. As I moved closer, they kept what they considered a comfortable distance between us and I was able to move to one side to make them move into an area I had a nicer background. Then I knelt down and started taking pics......and they were completely relaxed with that. Had their body language showed any alarm at any time I would have withdrawn back to the safety of my vehicle. As it was, I reckon I got some pretty nifty shots......... that said, they're my usual lousy standard and I haven't photoshopped them yet........ The bull in the foreground is blind in his left eye so I had to keep on the right side of him so that he could see me at all times. Last edited by shakari : 11-01-2006 at 11:16.

10-01-2006, 18:36	#2 (permalink)
shakari Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Near Kruger Park RSA Posts: 51	Oooops looks worse than the original now I've got it on the forum!!!!

10-01-2006, 19:21	#5 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Oi! stop posting these bloody excellent shots.

10-01-2006, 21:46	#7 (permalink)
Warspite Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough (UK) Posts: 1,736	Great shots - and something different, dont see many lions in Newcastle (UK) Dont like the look in his eyes though - and I dont mean that as critical of the shot

10-01-2006, 21:51	#8 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	shakari ill have to give you a shout if i get a safari holiday booked up Try reading this to help with post processing its mainly for digital but should translate over to film ! I have a 50E too !

10-01-2006, 22:32	#9 (permalink)
Venomator Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 922	See Shakari ... only been here five minutes and already learning new stuff !?! Btb - prefer the 'undoctored' Lion though ... but at least you are experimenting ! Only way to learn ...

11-01-2006, 09:26	#10 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	How do you get a Lion to run like that ? I'm guessing by offering food from landrover racing ahead in in front ?

11-01-2006, 11:21	#12 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Very interesting stories, thanks for sharing

11-01-2006, 11:30	#13 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	It makes you sick doesn't it!

11-01-2006, 17:34	#14 (permalink)
Marianne Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 326	well I'm impressed....and I'm not into animal photograhy, having said that, if I was into animal hphotography then these are the types of animal shots I would like to have taken....does that make sense? keep up you lot!

11-01-2006, 19:05	#15 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Noticed our driver revved the engine a few times when near to Bull elephants to get a response. Noticed the Elephants are a lot larger than in UK captivity & one charging you is pretty impressive (& scary) . First one then turned around & side swiped a large tree which immediately was flattened !! Very powerful animals

11-01-2006, 20:46	#16 (permalink)
shakari Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Near Kruger Park RSA Posts: 51	Very powerful indeed..... I know of 3 people (2 of whom were friends) killed by Elephants in the last 5 years or so. Revving of engines etc is really a sign of lack of knowledge of game animals. The best thing to do is just keep the engine ticking over so they know you're there but don't panic them...... that statement only really refers to animals in parks..... the ones in true wilderness areas tend to write their own rules a lot more. Can someone tell me what the rule is about posting a pic taken by someone else? I have a fabulous picture of a charging Elephant that was taken by someone who died a few years ago. I was told the image is now "public property" - but I'm not certain and don't know the rules here on this.......

12-01-2006, 09:50	#17 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	I think as long as you put the photographers name next to it, it shouldn't cause any dramas

12-01-2006, 10:15	#18 (permalink)
shakari Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Near Kruger Park RS