Inspiring Photo: On Watch #11735200

On Watch

Uploaded: May 10, 2011

Description

Meerkat at the SanFrancisco Zoo.

1/1000 f8 ISO 200

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Michael Kelly May 10, 2011

I intend to submit this one to National Geographic unless the group sees problems with it. They don't allow cloning though standard adjustments like crop, WB, etc. are fine. Normally I would adjust the BG a bit with some clone work so if you think it is necessary to make the shot work I will find another for Nat Geo. #1376065

Rita K. Connell May 10, 2011

the only thing that is distracting is the light area behind his head that makes him look like he is thinking to hard.....LOL its smoken.....!!!
this is a great picture very nicely capture I really like the lighting, are you allow to darken that spot a little #9398908

Jeff E Jensen May 10, 2011

Funny, Mike, my first thought was that this could be a shot out of Nat Geo. I'd say submit it, it's pretty superb if you ask me. #9398923

Michael Kelly May 10, 2011

Thanks Rita - That is one of the two areas I would clone if allowed. I see what I can do about making it a little darker. That is hard to do without leaving artifacts.

Thank you Jeff. I shot this in 2009 and had a similar shot up on the club page at that time. I totally missed this one back then and think it is a better shot overall. Wish the BG was just a bit better, but glad you think it is at least worthy of submission. #9398944

Michael Kelly May 11, 2011

Could not sleep so here is a correction. I did darken the area you mentioned Rita as well as a little on the whole shot. Also when I looked at it I thought it was a bit noisy so reduced that some also. #9398969

Aimee C. Eisaman May 11, 2011

Awesome detail...so sharp like it's in HD! :~) Normally I would have suggested getting rid of that brown area all together. Other than that spot I would say this is perfect for a Nat. Geo submission. Even with it they may not be so picky as we are about backgrounds. I'm not sure that darkening it did much for me. #9399711

Teresa H. Hunt May 11, 2011

Great shot Mike. I hope National Geographic likes it. :) #9399823

Michael Kelly May 11, 2011

Thank you Aimee. They have a thing about altering photos and they check so though it is only the BG I don't want to chance it. Their rules state that normal adjustments and sharpening are OK.

On the darkening do you prefer the original or does it just not make enough difference to differentiate?

Thanks so much Teresa - me too. #9400216

Beth Spencer May 11, 2011

Great shot! I prefer the original! Good Luck, it should do great! #9400376

Michael Kelly May 11, 2011

Thank you Beth, I appreciate the input. Sometimes I get to close to my own shots and have a hard time telling what I like better. All the input really helps in those decisions. #9400552

Rita K. Connell May 12, 2011

I think your edit really helped his coat of fur. #9401095

Anthony L. Mancuso May 12, 2011

Great shot Mike..I actually remember when you posted the other meerkat shot and that one was god too as I recall. I actually like the original of this one better. When compared to the edited version I think the it has more pop. Are you entering it in a contest to get published in Nat Geo? #9401240

Aimee C. Eisaman May 12, 2011

Yeah I'd just stick with the original. I too remember your other picture...weren't there two meer cats in that one? :~) #9401337

Michael Kelly May 12, 2011

Thank you Rita. I agree that to me the fur is better in the edited post and I like it better than the original, but the consensus seems to be the first post is overall the better version. I am a little afraid to do to much editing on the shot due to their rules so I will go with the first one I think.

Thank you Tony. The older shot is in my gallery under critters if you want to look again. In it the Meerkat is a 3/4 profile.

Yes this will actually be my 3rd submission. You are allowed 1 a month and they pick 2 for publication in the magazine. As you can imagine, there is some very stiff competition, and my other 2 did not get anywhere. I found the site when looking for alternatives to BP after their ads became so obnoxious. It is on ngm.nationalgeographic.com if anyone else is interested in submitting photos.

Thanks Aimee. What good memories you all have. Aimee the one with 2 Meerkats was included on the thread of the original post that I referred Tony to which is in may gallery, but I never submitted that one to the contest or added it to my gallery. By the way the one in that gallery has some clone work on the BG so I can't submit it to Nat Geo. I actually think this is better anyway as I like the full profile and the comp. here better than the more portrait like other shot. #9401444

Peter W. Marks May 12, 2011

I am not a great fan of zoo shots but as there is nothing in the shot to suggest a fence or that the animal is captive then I can go with this one. It is a classic meerkat shot and ones like this always have me wondering what they are thinking.
Good luck with the Nat Geo submission. #9401548

Carla Capra Anderson May 12, 2011

Wow, Michael, this is wonderful and I'm in the original camp.
I've been snooping around on NG recently. I'm glad you've given it a go and this one should do well. Good luck!
;) CC #9402094

Michael Kelly May 12, 2011

Thanks Peter - I try and avoid cages, bars, and restraints when I shoot at the zoo so the photos look like they were in the wild. Not always possible to do, but in this case the Meerkats have a cement enclosure that is something like a swimming pool filled with dirt and artificial termite mounds for them to watch from and a elbow high wall surrounding it. Makes for good photo opportunities.

Thanks Carla I love those wows and have not had one for a bit. I can enter after the 15th so will cross my fingers. I appreciate the well wishes from both of you. #9402135

Anthony L. Mancuso September 27, 2011

Congrats on the finalist Mike! I always liked this little guy... #9701869

Carolyn McIntosh September 28, 2011

congratulations . . .. looks like he stood right up at attention and posed for you. Excellent photo. #9702755

Merna L. Nobile September 28, 2011

Congratulations!
You’re the kind of person who makes the world a better, brighter place…You worked hard for this, you made it happen, and you have a right to be proud. So enjoy these satisfying moments; you deserve every one! Merna

#9703472

Aimee C. Eisaman October 02, 2011

Congrats on the Phinalist!!! Such a great detailed capture! :~) #9711888

Teresa H. Hunt October 03, 2011

Congrats on the Finalist Mike! :) #9714416

Beth Spencer October 03, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS!!
#9714451

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Michael Kelly.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.

My Profile

My Photo Shows

My Photos

My BetterPholio

My Messages

My Courses

Description

Comments

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?