The curve

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 6, 2010160 views10 comments

The curved shape of the giraffe's neck is what inspired me to make this. I am really curious to hear whether others understand why I was inspired by this and what they feel about this image.

Although this works for me in color, I felt that the B&W conversion is a stronger image.

Portrait of a female Giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shutter Speed 1/400 Sec
Aperture Value f/5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 200
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4xTC
slightly cropped
Cloned out the OOF head of an oxpecker at the bottom of the frame

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 6, 2010 at 7:35 PM

This is a very effective image Vincent. There are some beautiful curves and other organic shapes that hold my attention. The curve of the mane leads from behind the ear around to the eye, a major focal point. I agree that the photo is strongest as a black and white.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 6, 2010 at 11:29 PM

I've found giraffes to be great black and white subjects. I can see why you like this, Vincent. The highlights in the curved mane and the texture in the hair and tufts are my favorite elements and justify the b/w conversion. However, I almost feel like the dark OOF fur in the foreground occupies a bit too much real estate... that is, it almost overpowers the parts of the image I like!

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Imprevento on November 7, 2010 at 12:21 AM

Striking image Vincent...I'm sure the color looks great too, but as B/W, it's just outstanding.

Registered on September 11, 2010, 29 Posts, 78 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on November 7, 2010 at 12:26 AM

Vincent, this is a marvelous view of a giraffe! I love the curved neck as the leading line and her ear and huge eye and the tufts are just captivating. Seems most people don't favor oof in the foreground of images, but in this case I think it offers an important dimensional element. With the curve in her neck (and the compression factor with the lens?) she otherwise appears to be a very young giraffe, which hasn't yet grown its neck.

For a more abstract look (this is, too, btw) more dof would've been interesting, I think.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Tomalty on November 7, 2010 at 9:51 AM

Love it. B&W is perfect to accent the geometry. I'd like to see the crop a little off the left to cut the space in half brfore the mane. I think closer to the border will accent the mane even more and not creat a merge IMO.
Great shot.
Cheers
RickT

Registered on October 11, 2006, 212 Posts, 1610 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on November 7, 2010 at 10:04 PM

Strong curves and good eye contact make this a nice capture. The light in the shadows makes this work for me in B&W.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on November 8, 2010 at 12:21 PM

I like it Vincent, quite a bit actually. My only nit would be the shallow dof - I would prefer to see front to back sharpness in this case.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on November 8, 2010 at 3:00 PM

Hey Vincent, I like this shot. Following her neck from this angle is really interesting and I really enjoy the way she seems to be peering back over her shoulder at you. The black and white works well too - although I would try pushing the contrast, just a personal preference...

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 8, 2010 at 5:48 PM

Very nice shot. I like the curve of the neck and the mane which leads you right into the eye and ears and the backlight very much. I think it looks great in BW and for my taste the DOF is fine. You seem to have seen beyond the usual approach to photographing a giraffe quite well.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on November 14, 2010 at 4:18 PM

Hi Vincent, B&W is perfect for this and i like it but i'm not sure about the cut.

cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments