Stare of the River Behemoth

[Morkel Erasmus]

Few things are quite as unsettling as being given this kind of stare from a massive hippo bull at eye level while you're sitting on a boat meters away.
This is the kind of experience that makes a photographic safari on the Chobe river such a bucket-list item.


This photo was taken from a specialised photographic boat with swivel seats and gimbal heads built-in for maximum flexiblity on the river. Anyone wanting to see a short video clip of the boats can contact me via PM. :c3:


Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f8.0 | 1/1000 SS | ISO-3200
EV +0.7
Full frame save for slight crop from top and bottom

[Brendon Cremer]

A lovely image Morkel, well exposed, good details and lovely DOF, just love the low angle one is able to get when shooting from the river. My only nit if i have to nit pick is the OOF hippo in the BG catches my eye and draws attention away from the main subject.

[shane shacaluga]

Nice looking hippo Morkel! Not sure if I would be too happy in a boat with these beasts hanging about!

TFS

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - great low pov and dof. Another amazing result at such a high ISO.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, for me I would have liked a bit more DOF, around f/11 and perhaps as you only have the one eye visible, a more side on profile. I would try your luminosity mask to just bring down the overall light and to help the shadow areas for form & shape. Have you tried applying some Detail extraction too? The OOF hippo is 50/50 for me, as I can appreciate how difficult it is to get one on it's own. Certainly once they except you and know you are not a threat, they do come closer, so the experience is even better. :S3:

TFS
Steve

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

And a sneaky killer stare it is. So brave of you shooting so close as well. I really like your low angle and your composition including what looks like oof rocks in the bg.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. :5