The Lineup

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 6, 2013236 views12 comments

Here's another image from Etosha.

Being this close to these iconic animals really opened my eyes to many of the finer nuances of their social interaction and communication with each other. On this occasion (and quite often actually), a small youngster was accidentally bumped into the water by one of the adults, and the herd swarmed around to help guide it out of the water in a panic-stricken frenzy. When they panic, they hose themselves off with mud frantically and trumpet and stamp around - quite a sight! Here the herd is coming out of the water, surrounding the little ones in a protective huddle.

As you know, I like to work in monochrome and this image immediately seemed suited to this classic medium. I did do something I normally avoid in my colour images, but since this one is touted to go into my limited edition fine art print selection I take a bit more liberty - I cloned out the sliver of a wayward elephant bum coming in from the RHS.

Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @ 62mm
Kenko Pro Circular Polariser
f8.0 | 1/250 SS | ISO-400
EV +0.7

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 6, 2013 at 8:47 PM

That's a lot of elephants! I like the way the wet and dry areas of hide contrast. The gradation in the sky is attractive as well. You could clone out the bright stone in the lower right corner as it does stick out a bit...yes, the slippery slope of cloning.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 7, 2013 at 12:28 AM

Excellent. I think the monochrome works so well because they're wet. The "wet vs. dry" areas add a much-needed pattern that is enhanced in this format.

Max

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 7, 2013 at 2:32 AM

Morkel,
As you know I prefer colour, but I suppose there would not be an excess in colour in this. The typically Etosha white rock is to my mind a nuisance, I also think that the level of the hide has worked against you in this one, this is in my opinion too low.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 7, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Impressive. In colour it would still be a cool shot but for me the monochrome adds power to the photo. I love the 'wet & dry' look of the elephants.
Your low viewpoint has introduced quite a chunk of forground into the image which - to me - highlights the low perspective and does not necessarily improve the shot. But them I'm just jealous.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Decker on June 7, 2013 at 8:01 AM

Interesting image. Judging from the lens used you were pretty close to these large animals. I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be so close to something so large! Then again, I'm sure you're quite adept at reading the situation.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 14 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on June 7, 2013 at 7:58 PM

Beautiful shot, I don't think they could have posed and better for you. Simple, clean, great sky and comp, I love it.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 8, 2013 at 12:12 PM

Awesome line-up Morkel; how did you get them to pose like that for you?

B&W works well for me.

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

Comment posted by Joe James on June 8, 2013 at 8:18 PM

Very nice Morkel!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 9, 2013 at 8:26 AM

Hey Morkel,

I like how low you've positioned the elephants in the frame and agree with previous comments about how eye-catching the dry-wet patterns are on the elephants. As always, I struggle with assessing the effectiveness of the B&W conversion is without seeing the original colour shot (but I do quite like the tonal range here). I'm not a fan of the polarizer-induced tonal gradient in the sky - to me those always look to be an artifact of the filter that is on the "unusual" side (but definitely an "each to their own" thing). Overall I'd have to say the shot is quite striking and works well!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on June 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM

I really like the POV, and the monochrome works very well, especially fading from the herd to the upper sky. The ear positioning is excellent, I am sure they were very much attending to your presence. It must be awe-inspiring to be so close to such large creatures.

Registered on January 5, 2013, 37 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on June 9, 2013 at 6:48 PM

Very cool shot !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 10, 2013 at 12:32 AM

Thanks folks. Can't please everyone - the low angle absolutely rocks for me

Brad, I personally love the effect of the polarizer, especially in conversions like this - but as you say it's a taste thing.

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