Posted by Andrew Forsyth on September 12, 2006 at 2:08 PM
Hi All,
Thanks for comments on no1; here's number two.
Just to answer on a couple of points made on no1: I arrived on the scene after they'd snatched the wildebeest, with another car between me and the action. I'd followed them from another section of the road where they were some distance away and had a 500mm plus 1.4x converter on, so just had to shoot straight away or miss the early stages of the struggle. I was therefore caught somewhere between a long shot and a close up and had to shoot over another car roof, hence the odd framing. It's a tough decision made in a fraction of a second and I def lost a few good pix by being too tight, but I reckon it was worth the trade. We had a couple of hours with them after this and plenty of time to change position and lenses, so things did improve. Another digital camera is on the xmas list so that I have options in situations like this.
In this 2nd shot the wilde has gone down under the weight of the cheetah that was on its back, but is still putting up a good struggle. The throat bite was a good one, but the second cheetah on its hind leg is stopping it from getting any leverage to get out of position. The third cheetah is just sitting it out, giving the impression that wildebeest are a regular target and they know what they are doing.
More to follow.
A
Posted by Philip Kirkham on September 12, 2006 at 2:53 PM
Hello Andrew
Thanks for the narrative, it makes for better understanding.
I was about to comment on your first image when I saw this post. It is another excellent reflection of nature in the raw. As you state, 2 camera set ups would have been the ideal, but there wasn't much option for you here but to keep on shooting. I liked Peter's suggestion of the crop in the first image, but there is no option for any crop here and I like it as is anyway.
Altogether a very interesting and well taken image.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by Vincent Jones on September 12, 2006 at 3:27 PM
I also thoroughly enjoyed reading the background info behind the shot,it always adds to the viewers enjoyment of the image IMO,once a little is known about the subject,circumstances,etc
Another excellent behavioural shot.The composition/framing,etc,whilst still of importance,is really a secondary consideration to me on an image of this nature,as I find the behaviour/action so strong that it really captures and holds your attention.
Posted by Malcolm Muir on September 12, 2006 at 5:00 PM
Hi Andrew
This one is really excellent and beautifully composed. A tiny bit more foreground might have improved it even more aesthetically but suspect that might have included some car roof and, frankly, who cares with an image of this quality. Once a cat has a throat grip like that there is a certain inevitability which one can almost see in the gnu's face.
This is excellent... prefer this to your other great post and the narrative adds to the interest, I very much like the almost monochromatic feel to the tones of the image which seems to have that Africa feel (does that make sense?)
Posted by Chris Lloyd on September 13, 2006 at 10:01 AM
I also prefer No.2 . A great behavioural shot.
Regards Chris.
Posted by Alan Woolnough on September 13, 2006 at 2:03 PM
Excellent follow-up shot to the previous one Andrew!
Not only some wonderful action captured by you, but the almost exclusively 'subtle' browns and yellows that make up these shots really help give a sense of the very dusty environment {almost sepia effect}.
Discussion
7 repliesThanks for comments on no1; here's number two.
Just to answer on a couple of points made on no1: I arrived on the scene after they'd snatched the wildebeest, with another car between me and the action. I'd followed them from another section of the road where they were some distance away and had a 500mm plus 1.4x converter on, so just had to shoot straight away or miss the early stages of the struggle. I was therefore caught somewhere between a long shot and a close up and had to shoot over another car roof, hence the odd framing. It's a tough decision made in a fraction of a second and I def lost a few good pix by being too tight, but I reckon it was worth the trade. We had a couple of hours with them after this and plenty of time to change position and lenses, so things did improve. Another digital camera is on the xmas list so that I have options in situations like this.
In this 2nd shot the wilde has gone down under the weight of the cheetah that was on its back, but is still putting up a good struggle. The throat bite was a good one, but the second cheetah on its hind leg is stopping it from getting any leverage to get out of position. The third cheetah is just sitting it out, giving the impression that wildebeest are a regular target and they know what they are doing.
More to follow.
A
Thanks for the narrative, it makes for better understanding.
I was about to comment on your first image when I saw this post. It is another excellent reflection of nature in the raw. As you state, 2 camera set ups would have been the ideal, but there wasn't much option for you here but to keep on shooting. I liked Peter's suggestion of the crop in the first image, but there is no option for any crop here and I like it as is anyway.
Altogether a very interesting and well taken image.
Best wishes
Phil
I also thoroughly enjoyed reading the background info behind the shot,it always adds to the viewers enjoyment of the image IMO,once a little is known about the subject,circumstances,etc
Another excellent behavioural shot.The composition/framing,etc,whilst still of importance,is really a secondary consideration to me on an image of this nature,as I find the behaviour/action so strong that it really captures and holds your attention.
This one is really excellent and beautifully composed. A tiny bit more foreground might have improved it even more aesthetically but suspect that might have included some car roof and, frankly, who cares with an image of this quality. Once a cat has a throat grip like that there is a certain inevitability which one can almost see in the gnu's face.
Malcolm
Regards Chris.
Not only some wonderful action captured by you, but the almost exclusively 'subtle' browns and yellows that make up these shots really help give a sense of the very dusty environment {almost sepia effect}.
Alan