AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

For the past several weeks I have been sooo impressed by the fantastic wild life shots from Photolady
. Most recently I have really enjoyed her High Key photos. I was in Africa a few years ago and I have a lot of pictures from that trip that I still need to process. So when I saw her great shots I got motivated to give it a try. Here is my first attempt. Done completely in Lightroom Classic and Nix Silver Effects. As always, comments and critique are welcome.

(Download)

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

So glad you are trying some new techniques! My suggestion is in Lightroom (because that is what I know) breathe a mask by either selecting background (if you have a newer version of LR) or just use the brush tool, up the exposure, blacks down, whites up and remove some of the black smudges in the background. Be careful and make sure it all blends. You can also use a little noise reduction with the brush. This will make for a cleaner photo!
Hope you don’t mind the suggestions. Great job and you chose a good photo to start with! Love warthogs!

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Interesting! Warthogs do make for interesting subjects.

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

Photolady thank you for looking and for your comments. Your suggested procedure is exactly what I did. The only exception is that I first converted to BW using Nix software. The original picture did not have much color and it was taken late in the day at 6400 iso. Using the latest version of LR I created a background mask and then increased the highlights, exposure and whites. As you can see, I was not very careful with the mask and there are several places where I should have subtracted from the mask. It was your picture that inspired me to try this. By the way, I have several pictures of two giraffes standing next to each other and battling each other with their necks and heads. As soon as I get back to my computer I will edit some of those and post here. Thanks again for your comments…Tony

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

Thanks Doug

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Your welcome practice makes perfect, someday in my case! 😜

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

Impressive.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Very nice portrait. My limited experience shows it doesn't get easier. As you get better you demand more from your shots and conversions.