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Golden Savute
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Golden Savute

by Mario Moreno

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 16, 2013238 views16 comments
A silhouette of an elephant dusting off shoots of grass in golden light in Savute. Whenever the scene presents itself I will shoot into the light in pursue of a " Perfect Moment ". What I like about this image is the fact that it is not a simple silhouette against an orange background. This one shows textures, a little bit of detail on the animal and specially surrounding bush that places this giant in it's natural environment. This image was taken during this year's 10 day <a href="http://www.southcapeimages.com/Botswana_Explorer.html" target="_blank">” Botswana Explorer “</a> photographic safari I led.

EOS 5D MK II - EF300mm f2.8L IS USM + 1.4x - 1/2000 sec @ f6.3 - ISO 250

Comments

16 comments
Comment posted by Krunal Janani on November 16, 2013 at 6:41 AM
Perfect Moment indeed :toast:
Registered on September 16, 2010, 60 Posts, 1370 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 16, 2013 at 7:14 AM
Hi Mario,

I like the composition and the silhouette of the elephant. The orange color seems to work well with this subject.

There are two tiny spots in upper-left corner, and another top center, that could be removed. Also, the photo might benefit from burning the bright spot in the upper-right corner.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on November 16, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Considering the tech specs, I question if this is true to what the eyes would see. It does look splendid, however! I see the bright specs Randy has mentioned and several more, but they are inconsequential. I would think about burning in or cropping out the bright blob in the URHC.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Mario Moreno on November 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Thanks for the comments so far …..

The white specs are all insects that were flying around and didn't really disturb me at all. I do agree that the top right corner could be burned or even cropped out.

The orange tone of the image is a combination of the warm sunset light coming through and an increase in temperature to 8000
Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 16, 2013 at 9:12 AM
A frame on fire for sure, love it !!!
Jagdeep Rajput :toast:
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 16, 2013 at 9:22 AM
Wonderful!!

Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Thomas Haney on November 16, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Wonderful photo Mario, I especially love the shape of the elephant's trunk and it's position in the frame.
Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments
Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on November 16, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Awesome light. Love it. :toast:
Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM
A beautiful silhouette :eek: The texture of the habitat is a big plus for me too.
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 17, 2013 at 1:50 AM
Hi Mario,
I have to confess that this is not really my kind of shot as whilst I like the overall colour I do miss the detail in the Elephant, I know this is not possible without excessive manipulation. At least it is not BLUE :biggrin: :biggrin:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on November 17, 2013 at 6:41 AM
Excellent light, ideal generic image for africa. TFS.
Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 17, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Hi Mario. You did a nice job with this backlit situation, especially in avoiding the dreaded lens flare. Striking color and a magnificent subject, always a pleasing combination.
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on November 17, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Great light and mood here Mario...
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 18, 2013 at 3:14 AM
Nice use of light, some of the reds look hot, perhaps you could try recovering them in the raw file.
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 18, 2013 at 4:25 PM
This is an attention getter. I feel the colors are too rich to feel natural, but the effect is pleasing and would be well received with most of the viewing public. I would alter format a tiny bit with a thin crop of the bottom to minimize the oof vegetation in the foreground. I agree that the inclusion of the background detail is a strong enhancement.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on November 22, 2013 at 8:51 AM
Nice one, well done! :toast:
Grt, Ingrid.
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments