Day at Cincinnati Zoo - please review

[Inactive Member 04]

These shots were all taken with Canon D30, Canon 100-400 L, available light ISO 400.
All were processed with LS3.42 and maybe some additional tweaks. Then saved as level 8 jpegs.
Please let me know what you think. Also first day out with Nixvue Digital Wallet - which was awesome!
Thank you - Sean

Bald Eagle 1

Bald Eagle 2

Polar Bear 1

Had a bad itch behind his ear!

Polar Bear 2

Looks like he has a hangover - note the tongue hanging out stuck to the rock, a little hard to see - dark. Did not want to use flash.

Polar Bear 3


Silverback Gorilla

[twalker294]

The eagle pictures are excellent. The others are a bit flat looking. Maybe a lack of contrast? Looks like it was an overcast day so that probably had something to do with it. They are nice shots -- they just lack that "something." Just my $.02...

Todd

[oops]

ISO 400 must mean a typical Ohio day. Not bad at all, concidering your light source challenge. This is definitely the reason for "flat" colors.

The question sometimes is, "This is all I have, do I shoot or come back later?". Glad you decided to shoot. Nice shots.

What is happening on the muzzle with "Polar bear 3"?
Did this happen post-processing or show up in the original?

[Inactive Member 04]

Thanks for the comments - anyone's $.02 is appreciated.

Polar 3 muzzle - that was less than perfect composition on my part - there is another bear behind him and I just happen to catch the edge of the further bear around the muzzle of the subject - not too much I could do since it was a spontaneous moment - what a tongue!

It was very overcast - no chance for any contrast as I did not want to use flash.

Any other feedback is appreciated.

Sean

[Leighow]

SEAN

These are fine shots ... but I will put $20 on the table that says you will do 300% better the next time you go -- regardless of the weather. You may need a tripod (I am not sure).

Be that as it may, I prefer your 1st shot, but would have liked to see 10 alternatives featuring more of the bird and more of bird and background.

Of course I do not know your ZOO. Animals look a bit caged here -- or they may not be venturing away from the food door.

Anyway, I want your next shots to transport me to Africa or to the North Pole. Something like that.

HOWIE

[Inactive Member 04]

Howie -
Thanks for the note. I believe you have laid out my challenge - transport you not to my zoo but to Africa.

To provide more information I have attached more images to illustrate the barriers I need to overcome.

Eagles in Nest -
The viewing platform is inside the cage - but the very robust cage is easily seen in the background from any viewing angle.


Eagle on ground - much better at seeing more of eagle, but not very dramatic on ground and still have fence in bg


Baboons - very playful, more open environment, easier angle to exclude the 'man made' elements.


Thoughts anyone??

Thanks again
Sean

[Leighow]

SEAN

Tough situation. While I do like the second set better, I can see that you were caught between a rock and a hard place !

Anyway, I should talk, I shot a few rolls at the Toronto Zoo years ago, but it seems to me that I did not do as well as you have here. Maybe all that anybody can do is look for a little more color.

Thanks

HOWIE

[Rudi]

Considering the restriction placed upon you by the location, I liked your shots. It's obviously important to try and exclude any man-made structures from the frame, but this is not always the case. Sometimes you just have to improvise.

This is a shot from Sydney ZOO. The parrot was shot through a mesh cage. I moved as close to the mesh as I could (but it was still too far away, and diffraction robbed me of some contrast). A light tweak in Photoshop brought the contrast back, and here is the photo:



D30, Canon EF 75-300mm lens at 300mm