The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I’m happy to be home following a series of trips and tours over the last several months. At least I can catch up on processing and posting…
In late June I returned to Kenya with a group in search of the black leopard that I saw in March. She didn’t really cooperate, but one species that did was the African wild dog. Dogs had barely been seen in the area since hyenas raided their den and killed their pups several months before, so it was a nice treat to get multiple encounters with them.
Here we have a member of the pack on the move as they set out for their evening hunt. Important to note that Canon sent me the 100-300mm 2.8 lens for this trip. Though I had black leopards in mind requesting that lens, it acquitted itself really well with other wildlife, especially in this situation where the light was failing. Sadly, the lens is too short for most of my work, and I can only think of it as a specialist wildlife lens (and overall excellent sport photo lens), but I was glad I had the opportunity to use it here.
Specific Feedback
The color temp here is on the cooler side, but the warm light was gone with the sun down, so I don’t think it’s unrealistic.
Technical Details
Canon R3
Canon RF 100-300mm 2.8
ISO 2000
1/2000th
f/2.8
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
A great shot Max, the dog running directly towards you gives the viewer a real sense of connection, and the action is frozen at a perfect moment. I also like the framing and simple unobtrusive background.
Nice action shot of the wild dog, Max. We have been fortunate to have had multiple encointers with packs on every one of our trips. A facinating animal.
I also tried out the 300 2.8, largely becuase of it’s reported lightness and sharpness. I did not find it practical, and much prefer the 200-400 and 70-200 for shorter work.
Sandy, I’ve been incredibly frustrated with Canon’s gear choices lately. I’ve been mulling a switch for some time, and their recent body releases haven’t changed my mind. However, I’m finding that it’s now up to the other manufacturers to step up their game a bit before I commit to such a huge investment. Very interested to see what Sony (which I have tested in the field) does next with their bodies, as I really don’t feel I fit the Canon target niche any more. Meanwhile, I admire Nikon’s lens selection especially, but have questions about their professional support. The next 12-18 months are going to be interesting…
This is such a great action shot Max. I love the straight on look from this dog. Hope you don’t mind, but I was wondering if a different crop would focus more attention on the main subject? I know the original would be an excellent two page layout for a magazine though.
Max, I made the very major switch to Sony a few years ago, and have had absolutely NO regrests. The learning curve was hard (and my husband had to stop me several times from throwing everything in the trash) but , in my mind, the A1 surpasses all other cameras and has since it’s inception. It has the lion’s share of the market by far.
Very curious to see what the next iteration of the A1 will be.
Ed, if your recrop took more off the left side, it might be more effective, IMO. The dog is almost centered, but not quite, creating an awkward placement for the eye. As a vertical with the dog in the left third, it works alright. I still prefer the wider comp for two reasons: it’s sort of “coming around the bend” (and leaving space on the right emphasizes that movement)… and it was only a 24mp body, so pixels were at a premium.
Sandy, Sony loaned me the a1 with the 200-600 for a trip. It all worked well, and it was interesting to note the subtle differences between Sony’s and Canon’s AF performance (good and bad on both sides). Ultimately, the a1 was not noticeably superior enough to justify a switch, especially when taking ergonomics into account.
If Sony releases a new pro body with a built-in grip and proper weather sealing, I may be sold.
Love the leaning pose on hind legs, around the bend and those sparkling eyes !
Initially I was very much interested in RF 100-300 mm but find it very expensive.
Meanwhile, I’m waiting for my R 5 II, which should come in two weeks.
