Tamarin Monkey

[coupekid]

Portrait of a Tamarin Monkey
Taken at Woburn Safari Park.

[Ian]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

Hi Ben, a classic expression

You have focus in right place and I quite like the limited depth of field. It looks ever so slightly soft on the monitor I'm using at this moment (Julia's laptop).

How are you finding the 350D compared to your old 300D?

I do miss not having a long tele like the 75-300 you have so I'm expecting delivery of a Digital Zuiko 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 any day now (that's a 100-400 in old money)

Where was this taken? I'm always interested to see the camera and lens settings where possible.

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

Hi Ben, a classic expression

You have focus in right place and I quite like the limited depth of field. It looks ever so slightly soft on the monitor I'm using at this moment (Julia's laptop).

How are you finding the 350D compared to your old 300D?

I do miss not having a long tele like the 75-300 you have so I'm expecting delivery of a Digital Zuiko 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 any day now (that's a 100-400 in old money)

Where was this taken? I'm always interested to see the camera and lens settings where possible.

Ian

Cheers Ian, it may appear soft because of the DoF, I have zoomed right into the eyes, and they are pin sharp, so the DoF may be softening the rest slightly, together with the reduced quality of the upload *the original is over 6mp), it was taken at 300mm. on the trusty 75-300


This was taken at Woburn Safari Park, it was a dreary day, overcast and gloomy, so I had to up the ISO to 400.

F5.6 aperture, and 1/400sec shutter.

I like the 350D a lot, and have now got used to its size (bit dissapointed the 400D is coming out soon though! )

The constant focus is pretty useful for wildlife photography as well.

I was actually going to ask your opinion (and anyone elses) on monopods. A tripod can be a bit of a chore to cart around, and so I was thinking of investing in one, I have another Wolf shoot in October, so am anticipating the possibility of it being overcast. Any recomendations in a light but sturdy one? I have seen a couple of treking style ones which look a possibility.

[Ian]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

Cheers Ian, it may appear soft because of the DoF, I have zoomed right into the eyes, and they are pin sharp, so the DoF may be softening the rest slightly, together with the reduced quality of the upload *the original is over 6mp), it was taken at 300mm. on the trusty 75-300


This was taken at Woburn Safari Park, it was a dreary day, overcast and gloomy, so I had to up the ISO to 400.

F5.6 aperture, and 1/400sec shutter.

I like the 350D a lot, and have now got used to its size (bit dissapointed the 400D is coming out soon though! )

The constant focus is pretty useful for wildlife photography as well.

I was actually going to ask your opinion (and anyone elses) on monopods. A tripod can be a bit of a chore to cart around, and so I was thinking of investing in one, I have another Wolf shoot in October, so am anticipating the possibility of it being overcast. Any recomendations in a light but sturdy one? I have seen a couple of treking style ones which look a possibility.

My monopod is a cheap and cheerful thing, probably 20 years old+, with a very simple ball and socket head. I must admit that I'm not that up on the latest tripods and monopods - something that begs to be put right in a future review article!

The softness I detect is almost certainly due to re-sizing for the forum. Did you sharpen at all after resizing? If so, how much by and what sharpening method? Which image editor do you use?

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

My monopod is a cheap and cheerful thing, probably 20 years old+, with a very simple ball and socket head. I must admit that I'm not that up on the latest tripods and monopods - something that begs to be put right in a future review article!

The softness I detect is almost certainly due to re-sizing for the forum. Did you sharpen at all after resizing? If so, how much by and what sharpening method? Which image editor do you use?

Ian

Ian,
You have until October to review them!
Maybe I will post a little not on a more appropriate place here and see if anyone else can make a recomendation.

I sharpened it slightly in CS2 using 'unsharp mask' just to bring out a little detail in the hairs. (cant remember the amount, but generally 1pixel, and 100% is what I sometimes use)

[Ian]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

Ian,
You have until October to review them!
Maybe I will post a little not on a more appropriate place here and see if anyone else can make a recomendation.

I sharpened it slightly in CS2 using 'unsharp mask' just to bring out a little detail in the hairs. (cant remember the amount, but generally 1pixel, and 100% is what I sometimes use)

OK - that sounds more than adequate. I have started using Smart Sharpen in CS2 a lot now. I think it gives a more refined result - marginally

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

OK - that sounds more than adequate. I have started using Smart Sharpen in CS2 a lot now. I think it gives a more refined result - marginally

Ian

never used it!
I will have to give that one a go.

[Pol]

Re: Tamarin Monkey

He's a super little fella, very cute. Nice capture too, good expression on his face and I especially like the way he's looking straight at you.

I've been reading through the comments on sharpening and agree it could probably take just a subtle touch more to enhance the eyes - though subtle would be the key word as animal fur needs to remain soft and furry looking imho.

I picked up a sharpening technique from an Australian commercial 'sharp shooter' (affectionately nicknamed 'gorilla fingers' by Rufus - wouldn't you just know it )

Anyway - I find his technique seems to work very well and seems to do an excellent job in avoiding 'sharpening halos' - as claimed by 'Jamie' who shared his technique.

Here's how it's done.

1) select all > copy/paste to a new layer.

2) Filters > Other > High Pass at radius 1 ...... (yes 1)

3) Filters > Gaussian blur at Radius 3

4) Edit > Fade Gaussian blur > to 80% with blend mode set on 'darken'.

Next - set the layer mode on either Hard light or Soft Light, whichever you prefer, set the layer transparency to anything between about 50 - 90%.

You'd be surprised to see the subtle difference in sharpness ..... and I've never yet had a halo using the method.

Pol