Forest Light

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 23, 2013412 views19 comments

I'm just back from the magical Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.

There's just something about the light that filters through the trees of Mana Pools. It's hard to describe, but perhaps a photo can do it justice. I was fortunate to have this impala walk into the perfect spot as this light only lasts a couple of minutes...

This was taken using the new Nikon 80-400mm lens, and I was quite pleased with its performance!

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 80-400mm VR-II @ 290mm
f5.6 | 1/250 SS | ISO-560

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on July 23, 2013 at 8:27 PM

Wow. What luck. Nice time for the impala to take a stroll. I can't decide if a slight crop from the left just beside the glowing tree improves the impala position or not? minor either way.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 23, 2013 at 9:17 PM

I see why they call it the "magical" pools Morkel...that light is fantastic and I think you did it justice in this image. Really nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Guy Nelson on July 23, 2013 at 9:20 PM

Hi Morkel,

Stunning! The mood, lighting, the Impala in the fog/mist, composition excellent. Fantastic in my eye! Great Photograph. Well Done!

Guy
Calgary, Canada

Registered on October 12, 2012, 24 Posts, 138 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 23, 2013 at 9:41 PM

Magical light for sure. The impala has an almost ethereal quality to it and really anchors the scene.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 24, 2013 at 1:10 AM

Spectacular lighting Morkel and the presence of the impala adds tremendously. The photo certainly gives a good sense of this special place.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 24, 2013 at 2:26 AM

Morkel,
As always great early morning light in Mana. Whilst there is an Impala there to me it needs to be darker.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on July 24, 2013 at 2:46 AM

Great golden light in this Morkel as it streams through the forest, looks good to me, although I might tone done slightly the tree on the RH edge as it's more in shadow (?), just personal taste.

TFS
Steve

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

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on July 24, 2013 at 4:21 AM

I like this as is Morkel ...very nice image ..the mood is fantastic ..well done

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 24, 2013 at 4:47 PM

This works well for me! I think the subject holds the attention of the eye and the surrounding trees serve as a sense of scale, not distraction.

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

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on July 24, 2013 at 6:10 PM

Outstanding light and the impala is the cherry on top. Your composition and use of the trees to frame the light is a pleasure to the eye.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 25, 2013 at 12:04 PM

Thanks for taking the time to comment, folks!

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on July 25, 2013 at 10:28 PM

Oh, Morkel, Morkel, you beauty! You've outdone even yourself! Absolutely magical!

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

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on July 26, 2013 at 1:19 PM

I am spellbound !

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on July 26, 2013 at 6:04 PM

Awsome magical light Morkel!
The inclusion of the antelope sends this one over the top!
Congrats!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 27, 2013 at 4:17 AM

Absolutely Stunning

Great Work Morkel!!!

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

Comment posted by Steeve Marcoux on July 28, 2013 at 9:04 PM

Great shot, i like the atmosphere!

Registered on November 23, 2012, 15 Posts, 76 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 30, 2013 at 11:39 AM

Marvelous light Morkel and very nicely processed! I do somehow wish the grasses were not in front of the impala, but despite that this is very captivating.

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

Comment posted by Butch Lama on July 30, 2013 at 6:00 PM

Magical moment captured in difficult light situation, but still you manage to create a stunning ART.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 14, 2013 at 3:17 PM

Thanks a lot guys

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