Nikon D70s, 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5 DX IF ED, f/14, 1/500s, ISO 200, NEF
1.What area is critique to be sought?
I will like feedback on the composition, photography and post processing techniques.
I have composed the picture this way to follow the rule of third.
I have chosen f/14 so that depth of field will not be great as I'm intend to include the backdrop.
1/500 seconds will be sufficient to freeze the two giraffes without any motion blur.
I have set the black, white and mid point of the picture to correct the colour cast. Increased some contrast and saturation. I have also add in gradient mix for the blue sky to become more bluer. Last but not least, unsharp mask to sharper the image.
2.What one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
I want to show the feeling of AFRICA, the beauty of nature through this picture. And also, I want the viewers to feel the LOVE between the crossed head giraffes, just like newly weds cross hand wine toasting.
3. Under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)
I took this picture when my boss and I went for sight seeing in Naval Hill. From far, I saw these 2 giraffes, the male and the female. I'm not holding any telephoto lens as you can see. What I have done next will be making myself proud at least for quite some time. I slowly walk nearer to the giraffes, one step at a time, without alerting them. I have to walk really slow or else they will just run off. After some hard 15 minutes, I finally get close enough to snap some pictures. To get this, lucks does not play a big part, techniques do play a part too, remember, we are shooting animals. The photo that I posted, is the last snap of them, eventually when they crossed head and saw me, they ran off. Lights is good for me to freeze them without using my biggest f/4.5. Slow walk really makes my knee hurts, but it does pay off, well I guess.
4. What the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture?
I've applied the rule of third into this photo. The crossing of head and pose to camera is a good snap. Reminds me of wedding couples cross hand to drink wine, and I believe the giraffes are deeply in love too. I intentionally avoid isolate my subject as I feel that background and foreground will eventually helps to add in more feeling. And yeah, the feeling of AFRICA.