Early Morning Run

Ken,

great action and the light conditions are fantastic. Technically also very good and the larger version is a must see

Now having the EOS 7D MKKII I am hoping to get in the future myself some more action photos, something I have not done often.

Cay Uwe,
Thanks very much, I thought this was quite good, judging by the lack of comments, perhaps it is not?

Actually I could add a self critique comment that I made on one of my own photos of a brown pelican in the avian gallery.

The most impact to a viewer in action pictures is when the subject is moving towards the viewer. Once they move away from the viewer the photo looses on drama. That is the case here altought the light is great and the large version really looks good to me.

Have a look to your "Take Off" picture of the wild dog, it seems to be jumping out of the photo, because it is moving towards the viewer. Just fantasitic and that is the way how an effective "action photo" for me should be.

Cay-Uwe,
I understand your point, and know that it is one of the "rules" (unless you enter World Wildlife Photographer wherin a "blue" elephant leaving the frame is good enough to win).

The Kudu was actually running parallel to the vehicle but it obviously does not give that impression?

Quote by Ken:

... (unless you enter World Wildlife Photographer wherin a "blue" elephant leaving the frame is good enough to win). ...

May be the jury has had a pint too much

With four feet off the ground, the puffs of dust behind, rimlight on the front and legs and a great light catchlight, this is a excellent capture.  No real nits, whatsoever.  I think Cay-Uwe is right about if the movement is into the frame it is more dynamic but you should be well satisfied with this outcome.

Hello Ken... Well captured, like the light and the rimmed highlites,...the tree has a distraction to me slightly,

Bill
www.Billbickle.com

This is an excellent capture, Ken!  I like the stop action and the isolation of the Kudu.  It gives it a very 3D appearance, especially in the large version. I also like that background landscape is composed nicely in the scene to put it all in context.  In my opinion, any image that gets your attention and causes an emotional reaction that makes you want to see more of it is a good image whether it follows the "rules" or not.  Photography rules are recommendations, not requirements and many times the situation requires other methods and compositions.  Strict adherance to "rules" results in conformance and before you know it, every photo looks the same and somewhat boring.  If the wildlife photos of animals jumping toward the camera were the only compositions ever posted everyone would be missing out on over 90% of the wonder and excitement of viewing wildlife because there are very few occasions where wildlife (unless it's predators) are jumping toward you.  There are also a lot of details and facets of an animal that can only be seen in a side view.  In this case the action was parallel to you and you saw it and you captured it with your camera in a way that allows me to share the moment with you almost as if I was there.  I greatly appreciate that because I am not likely to see one of these myself in my lifetime.  Rules or no rules, this is a great photo of a fleeing Kudu!

Thanks for the further comments, they are much appreciated in particular Gary's

Ken: late to the party with this one, but it's an excellent action photo. Richard