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G'day,

As per usual, from me it's animal stuff Can't help myself...

Just a few from the Toronga Zoo last October (forgot I had these), really like the lioness for some reason... Taken with the Sigma APO II 70-300.
http://www.pixspot.com./thumbnails.php?album=68

And a couple from Melbourne Zoo last week-end, check out the smiling Orang... Timing Taken with the 80-400VR
http://www.pixspot.com./thumbnails.php?album=79

Any critique, advice etc is very welcome, or just a sticky...

Cheers,
Mudder
(self-confessed animal nut)

Hi Mudder, Mate they look very nice and still the 70-300 is a good starter lens. I like the shots from the 80-400 VR and am awaiting mine to arrive this week maybe, but as we dont have zoo's or like here i will find something to test it on.
The pics are all good and i dont know if this is the case i see there is a couple of pics that maybe i would try and use the dodge and burn tool to lighten the eyes or face on a couple, dont take my word as i am new to this animal stuff but if it was me i would try highlight the eyes and face as not look so dark, hey mate can only try it!

Soon when i go back to Adelaide for my dotors appointments i might see if i can squeeze in Monarto Zoo or Adelaide's.
I enjoyed you pics Thanks.
Cheers
John

Re: Lioness

I've fiddled with the temperature just for a second within Paint Shop Pro got the result below.. I know it's probably not an accurate representation of how the light actually was... but I think it looks more.. liony?



5200K or so, remove colour cast, strength 38..

p.s. Also - see http://www.platinumweaver.net/files/Mudder_1694.jpg

PlatinumWeaver wrote:Re: Lioness
I've fiddled with the temperature just for a second within Paint Shop Pro got the result below.. I know it's probably not an accurate representation of how the light actually was... but I think it looks more.. liony?
5200K or so, remove colour cast, strength 38..
p.s. Also - see http://www.platinumweaver.net/files/Mudder_1694.jpg

That looks great, thanks for the tip... I'll try to be more aware of the WB stuff...

BBJ wrote:...there is a couple of pics that maybe i would try and use the dodge and burn tool to lighten the eyes or face on a couple... try highlight the eyes and face as not look so dark, hey mate can only try it!

Soon when i go back to Adelaide for my dotors appointments i might see if i can squeeze in Monarto Zoo or Adelaide's.
I enjoyed you pics Thanks.
Cheers
John

Thanks for the tip John, I'll try it out...

I'd love to see the Monarto and Adelaide Zoo's, there's photographic safari's you can go on there.. Check this link... It might interest you
http://www.newhorizonphotography.com/start.htm

Cheers,
Mudder

Mudder, excellent job. You got some great ones there. My favourite is the male gorilla. You'll be on the front cover in no time. Maybe even in the next issue!!!!

I haven't been to the zoo now for ages and really have to go again.

tripod or no tripod?

Thanks Mudder, Had a look at that site mate looks ok, seems the huy is doing the worshop photography at the zoo there doesnt use anything special as well.
Looks ok tho will put that on my agenda next time i head north and well worth a look.
Thanks
John

onimod wrote:tripod or no tripod?

G'day,

Usually just hand-held but sometimes use a monopod, not sure for these ones though, sorry... I've only ever used a tripod for landscape stuff and then only rarely... VR's my best friend

Nicole, that would be such a buzz just to get a small entry in the bowels of the magazine published but don't think I'm in that league though, just my wishful thinking...

Cheers,
Mudder

Mudder you have an affinity with animals that comes through in your photos - my favourite is ”Don’t look at me”. The only thing I would do is to make the tree trunck on the left more out of focus in PS.

Chris

Mudder I think you are underestimating yourself! I think you're photos are in that league. I had the same view as you the first time I submitted my photos. I was just hoping to get one photo in somewhere. Imaging how excited i was about the red panda.

Mudder, They are all great shots. As has been said, you have a special affinity with animals and can seem to catch them at just the right moment. How did you manage to get the pics of the lions and the primates with no netting in the shots? I had a look around and couldnt see any spots where I could get and take pics without the wire. Altough when I was there the place was pretty busy, and full of prams, pushers and ankle biters. Notice how the ladies with pushers use them to clear a way through the crowd.

Regards
Meic

Nicole wrote:Mudder ... Imaging how excited i was about the red panda.

I proudly showed off your panda and Dingo shots at the Burwood East mini-meet (I don't have the mag with me at the moment, but I think you took the eagle shot too?)... All were suitably very impressed by those...

meicw wrote:Mudder ... catch them at the right moment... How did you manage to get the pics of the lions and the primates with no netting in the shots? I had a look around and couldnt see any spots where I could get and take pics without the wire....

Catching them at the right moment is what consumes my 2x1Gb cards using continuous shooting

If the animal is a fair distance from the wire, just trying to centre the lens within a wire "square" or using a larger aperture (smaller number) helps to blur things not in the focal area...

The lions are through the wire, but careful location of the lens in relation to the squares of wire helps heaps (you can see the diff when framing the shot by slowly moving your lens in relation to the wire squares) and their distance from me means the wires will be well out of focus...

The primates aren't through wire, they're in an open area, just a matter of finding a good spot

Cheers,
Mudder