Sun and Dust

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 19, 2010359 views15 comments

This image of elephant having a sand bath actually happened by chance. I was taking pictures of a lion family eating the rests of buffalo. The light was quickly disappearing so I turned back to control the sun position. The herd of elephants was already leaving the water hole. Right at this moment two factors united, those which a photographer is usually waiting for in vain. Light and action. In the glowing sunset the young elephant threw the sand shower up in the air. Selinda Game Reserve, Botswana. (Nikon D2X+Nikkor 200-400mm/f4 lens, 1/400s at f5.6, ISO 500, beanbag).

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on December 19, 2010 at 11:14 AM

A stunning image Petr! Perfect composition and light. The position of the trunk and the sand in the air couldn't be any better.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on December 19, 2010 at 11:39 AM

Awesome shot- Composition, subject and treatment of light couldn't be better than this- Bravo, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 19, 2010 at 2:16 PM

A very striking image, with bags of atmosphere.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 19, 2010 at 5:48 PM

Very dramatic! Love the dirt and the dust below the feet. Great color.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 19, 2010 at 6:09 PM

You're certainly putting out some stunning stuff lately and this is no exception...

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on December 19, 2010 at 6:14 PM

Sure keeper here !!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on December 19, 2010 at 11:43 PM

Wish this were mine!

But, if it were mine, I would have lamented not having the shutter speed a little slower to capture the fine spray of dust a lilttle better!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 20, 2010 at 5:28 AM

This is a gorgeous image, Petr. No nits from me.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on December 20, 2010 at 8:40 AM

A striking image, very well executed !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 20, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Hi Petr,

Good job on "seeing the light" and maximizing the impact of your capture. The final contrast on this image works very well for me.

Petr: I've been away since you signed up with NPN and began posting images but have been able to poke my head in from time to time and have noticed your image posts. You've added some excellent images to the Fauna Gallery and it's great to have you onboard! I do want to point out that this is a critiquing gallery (i.e., not simply a "portfolio") which is dependent on members both posting images and leaving comments on the images of others. You're doing a great job on the posting end! Wonderful images that instantly tell us you really know what you're doing Now, if we could get you to start sharing your knowledge through posting thoughtful comments on the images of others everyone would be benefit more fully.

If you're unsure or uneasy about commenting/"critiquing" there are several good resources on this website discussing it. Start right here:

http://www.naturephotographers.net/naturephotos/wildlifephotography.html

and you'll find links to the the image posting guidelines and two articles on critiquing ("The Art of Image Critique" and "More Thoughts on Photo Critique.").

Thanks for joining NPN and posting some wonderful shots. Looking forward to your future contributions!

Cheers...

Brad (the bad cop!)

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Lou on December 20, 2010 at 4:40 PM

Beautiful silhouette. Good timing on catching the sand.

Registered on August 3, 2010, 86 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Harshad Barve on December 21, 2010 at 2:34 AM

well seen and executed, Terrific image

Registered on July 25, 2010, 39 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on December 21, 2010 at 3:27 AM

Beautiful image. Very well done.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 21, 2010 at 1:43 PM

Wonderful, wonderful light. More a feeling than a certainty, but I am thinking a slight counter-clockwise rotation would make it stronger, perhaps so that his left rear leg is perpendicular.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on December 23, 2010 at 6:34 AM

Wonderful image Petr

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments