Impala Portrait

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 22, 2011209 views13 comments

Nothing spectacular happening here. I just really enjoyed how the last rays of light played on this impala ram. Taken in the Kruger National Park, August 2011.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/1000 SS @ ISO-4500

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 22, 2011 at 1:21 PM

A terrific shot in my opinion. The animals sharpness is so well projected forward of the background blur and those shiney horns are icing. Excellent!

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 22, 2011 at 9:33 PM

Something is wrong at NPN when an image as great as this goes with one response for 8 hours.

Hello out there!

Charlie

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 22, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Nicde detail and perfect dof. The light is very nice. Great background.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on October 22, 2011 at 11:17 PM

Sweet portrait in sweet light ! Image quality is amazing considering the high ISO.

Could be my monitor, but there seem to be artifacts on the horn just above the left ear, looks like gold paper etchings.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on October 23, 2011 at 9:48 AM

Hey Morkel,

Well, you may think this is nothing spectacular, but between the sweet light kissing this one and the simplicity of this image I personally find it very pleasing to view. I'm sure you're finding the possibility of shooting a shot like this at ISO 4500 (and getting results like this) just slightly liberating! I don't see Anand's artifacts...

Note to Charlie: I wouldn't interpret the rate/speed of comments appearing on an image meaning much of anything. Some images are "sleepers" and don't get many comments for many hours and then take off. I don't really know what causes it (perhaps just a statistical thing re: who sees it when, when it's posted during the week, etc.). The number of views and/or comments on an image is only very loosely correlated with image "quality" (and please don't ask me to tightly define "image quality"

).

Thanks for sharing this one Morkel...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 23, 2011 at 2:35 PM

Super job of handling the beautiful light and graceful subject to make this pleasing portrait.

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

Comment posted by Dottie Short on October 23, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Everything about this image is wonderful. I can't decide what I like the best. Is it the magnificent lighting or the creamy BG? Could it be the composition or the sparkle in the Impala's eye? Or maybe the appealing colors of the animal and his environment. What a wonderful image! Thanks for posting.

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 23, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Wonderful portrait Morkel! As you suggest, good lighting is all the more critical when trying to photograph such a relatively common species, you've made a terrific job with this one :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 24, 2011 at 2:23 AM

Thanks very much for the kind feedback, folks!

Anand, what you have spotted is part of the horn pattern/etching. It's there on the RAW file too

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by David Hemmings on October 24, 2011 at 1:50 PM

This is really beautiful Morkel, love the light and the pose.

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 24, 2011 at 2:24 PM

A Simply Beautiful Portrait Morkel, love that bit of backlit accenting his horns.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 25, 2011 at 3:55 PM

Wonderful detail even in the shadows, I really like how the light shines on different parts of the Impala, well seen and well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on November 3, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Thanks again for the kind comments everyone!

Brad - yes I do find it liberating!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments