Wildebeest Migration

Critiques [Translate]

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• cbrman (14421)
• [2008-03-11 4:50]

Hello Kath,

Des animaux à perte de vue ! C'est vraiment impressionnant ! le décor d'arrière plan est grandiose et la brume légére marque bien l'éloignement ! J'aime beaucoup ce cadrage qui rend très bien la grandeur du paysage !
A+

Dominique

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• rodgerg (8822)
• [2008-03-11 4:51]

Hello Kath,

This is also a very beautiful composition with tree welle distinct plan: animals in the meadown, moutain and a super sky. Very good job
Congratulations
Good day,

Roger

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• besnard (21977)
• [2008-03-11 4:53]

Bonjour Kath
Très bon cliché de cette migration que j'ai eu le plaisir de voir au mois d'août au Kénya. C'est un moment fantastique, un seul regret nous n'avons pas vu les gnous traverser les cours d'eau.
Merci pour le partage, le rappel de bons souvenirs et bonne journée.
Nicole

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• hdl (6276)
• [2008-03-11 4:56]

Hi Kath. So this is quite different than England... It's an impressive spectacle with the wildebeests in front and that mountain in the fog in the back. Excellent pov and quality.

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• Gerrit (26795)
• [2008-03-11 5:18]

Hi Kath,
increadeble numbers and that is just what it looks like. As far as you ca see. Fantastic view with the majestic mountains and sky in the background.
Regards, gerrit

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• aadilj (11490)
• [2008-03-11 5:22]

Thats so wonderfully beautiful and yet so simplistic that i actually cannot define how I felt looking at it. the colours, the mood and the terrain all have been beautifully captured.

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• snunney (22971)
• [2008-03-11 5:25]

Hello Kath,
A good composition of these animals on the move. Excellent point of view looking down the dirt road to towards the cloud covered mountains. Must be a very impressive sight 'in the flesh'.

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• BennyV (1890)
• [2008-03-11 5:26]
• [+]

Kath,

You are probably right to write that no photo can convey just how amazing the sight of the trek was. (Maybe a heli shot would get close?) Still, this is a very impressive image with that amazing backdrop of mountains and the countless wildebeesten in the distance.
Just one technical remark: Did you sharpen the image in PP? Or did the heat create that effect on the animals in the distance? (Or is it just a scrappy screen I'm working on?) If you did sharpen, I'm wondering if it might have been overdone a bit.
Cheers.

Benny

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• ThomasL (417)
• [2008-03-11 5:33]
• - [workshop] [compare] [+]

Hi Kath,

It must be great being there surrounded with those wildebeest! Great shot, although I think a bit more contrast could make it better!

Greetings,
Thomas

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• lopshang (572)
• [2008-03-11 5:51]

Hi Kath

This got to be one of the best wildlife shot i came across. Great composition and color. Amazing POV.

Regards,

Lopshang.

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• Tue (24032)
• [2008-03-11 6:09]

Hi Kath,
Fantastic view over the wide landscape with the innumerable amount of wildebeests. Great to see them as small dots in the fields and to see some of them a little closer on the road in the foreground as well. The hazy, blueish mountain and cloudy sky are a beautiful background too. Thanks for sharing this amazing view.
Regards,
Lars

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• shevchenko (4842)
• [2008-03-11 8:15]

Hi Kath,
Interesting intoducing about the wild animals' migration season, nice color of the dry land, thanks for sharing.
Ally

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• Paolo (40175)
• [2008-03-11 8:24]

Hi Kath, amazing view, with a great depth of field, excelletn quality, ful of light and with a fantastic view on the Serengeti plateau.
thanks, ciao

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• jwmunro (6080)
• [2008-03-11 8:38]
• [3] [+]

Hello Kath -

This is a really tough image to balance correctly since there is such a range of contrast in the scene. I think the mountains could be improved a bit, but when I when into PS and tried some techniques I found nothing really worked and those that did show improvement were not acceptable. So I guess the image is what it is and that's it. Question: did you try exporting the RAW image both for highlights and overall appearance and then combine them? A dual process might be able to bring out some details and color in the BG. Having never been there it is hard for me to give you suggestions on the composition but I think you have done a very good job showing the vastness of the Serengeti and the herds of Wildebeest or Gnu's. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

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• Wandering_Dan (3369)
• [2008-03-11 9:02]
• [+]

Hi, KAth -

Like John, I felt that the background could be toned up a bit, but after reading his critique I realized it's about as good it can be.

One thing I find curious is that it's all wildebeest; usually I've seen them together with zebra. This is an excellent portrayal of the migration; it does convey the sense of the animals being everywhere.

Best,
Dan

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• gneufeld (11148)
• [2008-03-11 10:39]
• [+]

Hi Kath,
I simply cannot fathom the feeling one must get when there are so incredibly many wild beasts passing by - unbelievable, and you certainly caught a good perspective to pass that feeling on to your viewers. Very well done and TFS. Gerald As a side note, I would really like to hear about lessons learned and suggestions for others planning a trip like you did?

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• cobbydale (1738)
• [2008-03-11 13:29]
• [+]

Great shot Kath. I don't understand the comments about contrast as I imagine this is how it looked and that the background was a bit hazy in the heat? The eye gets really drawn in by the road and the beests in the foreground, leading to the amazing expanse of animals in the distance. Nice one.
cheers
Leon

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• gilou530 (27125)
• [2008-03-11 14:49]

salut kath
une migration des gnous qui me fait penser a celle que j'ai vu moi aussi et c'est impressionnant quand on y est, pris un peu de loin peut être
amitiés
gilbert

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• bostankorkulugu (26561)
• [2008-03-11 14:57]

the scene is incredible... knowing that they have been doing the same thing every year since we were living in caves and even before than that makes it even more incredible... looks a bit bluish but who cares... simply great kath...

cheers

korkut

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• pboehringer (19592)
• [2008-03-11 19:35]
• [+]

Kath,
a wonderful landscape that alamost reminds me of the Death Valley (the endless plane and the mountains in the back) although the green and gnus are certainly not to be found there ;-)
It seems to me that you lamost got to late to this place. The air is filled with light and particles making it a diffuse and hazzy appearence. yes, I know, you can't choose the hours when in a group and you have to o the shots as they come. Still, a wonderful image and portraying exactly what I expec to see once I put my feet in Tanzania.
Your travelogue will certainly be a reference for me. Did you also get to Kilimandjaro?
Peter

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• dareco (12015)
• [2008-03-11 21:36]

This must have been such a FANTASTIC experience for you!!! I have never seen anything even remotely like this, so it rather blows my mind. I have LOVED your pictures from this trip! TFS

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• Stepan (26917)
• [2008-03-12 0:33]

Must be an amazing place... Must be (as I already said) a strong experience...
That's the mood I appreciate here, with this moutain, the path and the beasts...
Stéphane

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• Graal (44865)
• [2008-03-12 1:07]

Hi Kath,
amazing and unusual view, good reportage from african safari. Close view in WS good also. Interesting informations. Good work.
Gr., Aleksander

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• pasternak (11946)
• [2008-03-12 3:20]

Nice combination of the landscape and wildlife shot, this is possible only in Africa I think... a bit more contrast would be nice but I understand that the light/air quality wasn't ideal... still, very well framed and the immensity of the "alive landscape" can be readily felt here!

Cheers
Alexander

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• ktanska (12951)
• [2008-03-12 6:02]

Hi Kath,
One of the spectacles of nature. Although they can hardly be called beautiful, sheer number of them fills mind with admiration. And as you note, this is just a small part. The road curve was well chosen place to make view more dynamic.
Kari

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• Dyerco (5762)
• [2008-03-12 6:38]

Hi Kath
An excellent shot that shows the vastness of the place and the sheer numbers of wildebeests.
TFS
Phil

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• carper (55938)
• [2008-03-12 8:16]

marvelous atmosphere here and the serie you made there is realy good,
the good pov and the very nice balance the wildebesst migration is a fantastic moment to capture, good photojob here, have a nice evening.
gr. jaap

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• jusninasirun (7747)
• [2008-03-12 9:09]

Hello Kath. My first visit to your amazing gallery with top quality images. This one is so stunning with so many wildebeest under the foot of the mountain. Excellent composition and thanks for sharing.Regards. Jusni

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• stego (16307)
• [2008-03-12 10:00]
• [+]

Hi Kath,
I believe you about the photo not conveying how amazing the sight was, but it is still a very impressive image, with those strange animals filling the whole plain.
The colours and the sharpness is a bit disappointing, but looking at the original, I guess that the light and haze or dust didn't allow anything better. Thomas' WS may look punchier at first sight, but it looks much unrealistic.
Regards, José.

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• Photo65Net (34559)
• [2008-03-12 10:14]

Hello Kath,
Impressive view on these animals, fantastic migration.
I like a lot the framing you choose, and the compo is very pleasant.
Beautiful,
Regards,
JB.

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• UlfE (6198)
• [2008-03-12 11:54]

Hi Kath,

This your most exiting shot from Africa. It such a wonderful scene with such a lagre number of wildebeest. I fully understand that it is impossible to convey how amazing scene it was. Really interesting discussion on contrast and saturation. I agree with that there is not need do overdo the post-editing job.

Cheers,

Ulf

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• Cricri (31005)
• [2008-03-12 13:49]

Hi Kath,
Quel plaisir l'on doit éprouver, je pense que je ne s'aurais plus ou regarder tellement c'est incroyable et beau, trés belles couleurs et lumiére
trés belle note d'accompagnement, compliment
Good evening for you
cricri

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• bakes888 (13408)
• [2008-03-13 1:00]

Hi Kath. Not quite a Zebra crossing but close ;-). Nice capture. Well composed, the mountains make an impressive backdrop and the road leads the eye into the scene. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

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• PixelTerror (75778)
• [2008-03-13 1:24]

Hi Kath,
it looks a bit like the roads of Corsica or Scotland ;-)
The impression of multitude is what makes the photo here, well transmitted by the increase in numbers, decrease in size and narrowing as the eye moves far.
Have a nice day JY

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• josepmarin (27222)
• [2008-03-13 2:07]

Hello Kath,
Your photo allows us to estimate the immensity of the African landscapes, and also these annual migrations that they move to million animals. It is really impressive!
And certainly, your work has a great photographic quality, as usual, and a great informative note, all this in the purest spirit of this site.
It's a great work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

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• papagolf21 (49403)
• [2008-03-13 2:30]

Bonjour, chère Kath,
Vue impressionnante de ces migrations d'animaux d'Afrique. Le cadrage choisi met bien en valeur l'importance de ces déplacements. La photo est très belle, particulièrement avec cet arrière-plan.
Un grand merci pour le partage.
Amitiés.
Philippe

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• JCG (17982)
• [2008-03-13 12:32]

Hi Kath,

This gathering of gnous for the migration is impressive. A very good framing which represents this feeling of space well. I like much this background which gives a pretty relief to the image. Thank you for the photograph in WS which supplement the subject well. The note is interesting.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

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• ahmetgedikli (16151)
• [2008-03-13 23:34]

Hi Kath,
Superb scenery! Perfect quality and beautiful colors.
I like it.
Thanks for sharing.
Best regards.
Ahmet

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• crckt (6815)
• [2008-03-14 10:39]

Hi Kath,
WOW! What a sight this must have been for you! Absolutely stunning. Love the scene, I wish I can visit this place one day.
Regards,
Shaeri

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• plimrn (16610)
• [2008-03-14 21:55]

Hi Kath,
This is an amazing sight and to think that your were traveling throught this group for almost an hour!! As the original in the WS shows, your PP is masterful. You maintain natural colors while bringing out detail. Thanks also for including the close-up detail as well. I enjoyed also reading your responses to others on trip planning and zebras.
HLJ, Pat

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• jaywalker (10353)
• [2008-03-15 8:05]

Hi Kath, An amazing sight, the migration of the wilder beast, that would be beautiful in itself, however that gorgeous backdrop gives this photo a massive lift, the light is superb &, TFS, kind regards Wilson. PS, I think you missed one. PPS love the close up,

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• ChrisJ (57432)
• [2008-03-15 9:40]

Hi Kath

Wonderful repetition of the Wildebeest, with superb colour, sharpness & framing. The large blue mountain, looming up in the distance, is a bonus. Tfs!

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• ysabaner (797)
• [2008-03-15 14:03]

Hi Chris,
Very interesting, very different pic. Very good place and animals. Well done
Yahya

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• OLF (2918)
• [2008-03-16 3:36]

Hi KAth,
A very good shot to illustrate animals migration. The moutain landscape in background boost a lot the power of the photo. I also enjoy the focus on the 3 animals also very well composed.
A very good work and good reportage!
Thank's for sharing with us!
Best regards.
Olivier

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• ruisc_pt (5101)
• [2008-03-18 4:57]

Hi Kath
The wildebeest in MOzambique where I lived several years is known as "Gnu". There's another name for the animal and I think it's the most appropriated "Boi-Cavalo" which means in a free translation (Bull-Horse).
Your images are really impressive with a very deep grey sky denoting the "smell" of Africa before raining.
I really enjoy it.
TFS
Rui

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• coco (23607)
• [2008-03-20 4:01]

Hi Kath.

The photo and the note are great, but I think I prefer the WS.
Of course, the main photo fits better TE rules.

Well, again I must repeat this one is amazing.

Regards.

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• Angshu (26140)
• [2008-03-20 6:27]

Hi Kath
Wildebeest must be the Afrikaan name of these gnus. We've seen them quite a lot in Discovery Channel or National Geographic on TV. This picture stands out because of the BG of the hill, even though it's a bit hazy. I can only imagine what you felt when you saw this scene...difficult to capture the vastness and the scale of the scene in a 3500 pixel square. But this is quite excellent a shot...well done
Regards
Angshu

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• jmcl (12224)
• [2008-03-22 8:00]

Hi Kath,

The near to far perspective of the infinite carpet of animals is tremendous .. powerful and humbling place and moment .. wonderfully communicated infinity .. very nice. Must have been a stunning journey you had .

take care,

John

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• riclopes (28452)
• [2008-04-01 11:24]

Olá Kath, I wanted to come for this one, because I really love it. We can feel how imense the landscape is by the amazing number of these fellows spread to the far distance. And I can only imagine the size of the mountains filling the background. The light must have been dificult, but the result is excellent. I like the action in the number II, but it doesn't have this depth. The three aligned wildebeest in WS is a funny one.
ric

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• Emile (16644)
• [2008-04-07 23:08]

Hola Kath.
Very impressive shot with the presence of thousands Wildebeests migrating through the valley, your excellent POV give us a beautiful view of the magnificent mountain, lovely view of the animals in their wild habitat, another great shot. Well done.
Best regards.

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• scobert (5327)
• [2008-04-12 23:42]

Hi Kath,
I won't be able to be one of the first people to critique your leopard photograph, unfortunately. The toothpicks can't hold up my sleepy eyes much longer. It is 12:40 AM on Sunday. I can't imagine your excitement when you saw this huge herd of Wildebeests against this fabulous scenery. As usual your composition is outstanding! I believe that Thomas, with his workshop photo, did a great job of enhancing your wonderful photograph without exaggerating the colors. A fantastic series!
Stan

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• huahoa (3637)
• [2008-08-20 12:11]

Hi Kath,
What great wild landscape !
You were lucky to watch such spectacle.
Mountains in the background are fantastic too.
Very well done !
Hoa