Cute and Ugly

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 10, 2012184 views9 comments

Hyenas are a strange bunch. Cute as a button when small, vicious and hauntingly ugly when grown

I am busy with a new mono-and-duotone series, of which this will probably form part. This Spotted Hyena cub was photographed at a roadside den in the far northern regions of the Kruger National Park early on an overcast morning.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-6400
Pretty much full frame, slight crop from bottom

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Peter Hudson on September 10, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Really nice - exquisite detail in the coat. Im going to explore Infra Red during my next visit to Africa to explore similar effects

Registered on June 26, 2012, 2 Posts, 4 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 11, 2012 at 11:18 AM

Very nice portrait, I just love that stiffness in the neck.
I find the burning effect around Hyna, bit strong.
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 11, 2012 at 4:43 PM

I really like this version, seems to work well in black and white. Great expression and detail in this portrait!

Sweet Photo Morkel!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 12, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Compositionally this crop/framing works very well as does the DOF. I like the B&W conversion also, but do agree with Jagdeep that the vignetting/burning is a bit overdone. This, however, is of course a matter of taste. Nevertheless this is a very nice portrait.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Morgan Casey on September 12, 2012 at 9:42 PM

Amazing detail and wonderful DOF! The lighting is superb and the composition works really well.

Registered on November 16, 2010, 22 Posts, 269 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 13, 2012 at 10:19 PM

I love this series of yours, Morkel. The use of monochrome and just the right amount of vignetting lend themselves perfectly to the subject. I don't agree with you about adult hyenas, though; they, too, are beautiful, in my opinion. Our impressions of adults are formed because we see them gorging themselves on kills, or making non-conformist, 'imperfect' (as opposed to 'clean' kills of lions), kills. The drooling saliva adds to our pre-concieved notion of 'ugliness'. I remember seeing a nature documentary called, "The Beautiful People" in which the commentator states that the warthog is 'so ugly, he's beautiful'! All animals are 'beautiful people'!

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 14, 2012 at 2:25 AM

Thanks for the comments and feedback, folks.

Vincent/Jagdeep - not all of the dark patches around the hyena are vignetted, some are naturally part of the foliage toning in the BG. I just helped it along, and I know it's a personal taste thing...with this series I am going for a fine art approach and am trying to use toning to focus the viewer's eyes where I want them to go...

Ajit - I actually agfree with you, I love hyenas, was trying to get a word-play going on people's perceptions

. Oh and "Beautiful People" is an awesome documentary - wish I could get a copy as I watched it to pieces when I was a kid.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 18, 2012 at 10:00 AM

I like the B&W conversion on this one Morkel. I totally agree with you about the cute, then ugly thing. I also find the vignette a bit too heavy and I understand your reasoning for it. As you said it;s a personal taste thing....still a nice shot.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 21, 2012 at 8:17 PM

Morkel, I totally agree about the cuteness thing! Awesome image! Looks great as a B&W! I absolutely love the DOF.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments