Thirsty Elephant
by Max Waugh
One of the nice things about spending a couple sessions at the Mashatu hide was being able to experiment with different focal lengths and techniques. We had several elephant herds come in over two mornings, so that gave us more freedom in that regard. Rather than shooting everything in the classic wide angle, I took time to use the big lens to get close. I liked the way the water is running off in this tight profile, which is maybe 90% of the full frame.
Canon 500mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/1250th
f/9
Max
Comments
7 commentsThis works very well for me, as it looks like a traditional B& W, without excessive manipulation.
My only nit would be the very bottom of the water.
When I looked at this in thumbnail view I thought "interesting idea but might work better with an even tighter crop" (so going more abstract). But when I look at the standard size I quite like this as posted. As with many good B&W's, the textures and tones carry the day for me on this one. I do wish the water stream at the bottom of the frame weren't touching or leaving the frame (perhaps this is what Ken was getting at too), but that's a pretty trivial nit!
Cheers...
Brad
I appreciate the comments on those drops. I normally can't abide by having little bits right against the edge, but I feared cropping any further with be too tight at the bottom (it already probably is too tight, but that's the bottom of the frame... maybe it wouldn't matter at this point
Max
Well done, Like the captured water effect.
Bill
Sweet One Max!