Indian Rhino sparring

Hi folks my last contribution to this month theme ... no wonder month is ready to go .
I share a seldom sighting for me even if i have seen a lot of the Rhinos , during two trips i made .Two subadults has been play fighting in the grassland area of Assam .
The action took place during an Elephant safari i made one morning , i got lucky and came just to this event happening . It was a quick one ... started fighting and stopped after a minute .
Very difficult to shoot as they move quite quickly ... but you as the viewer cannot move :t3 as the elephant does not care what the rhinos are doing , as long as they do not attack them .
I wanted to tell the mahout to turn the elephant , for a better shooting angle , as i was too close for the shots i wanted to get . Well in my mind , but my mind is faster than i with the fiddling of the gear on the very very limited space to maneuver on the elephant .
Therefor i have to be happy with the endgame .

Canon EOS 1Dx
Ef 200-400 IS L at 220 mm
HH from rocking elephant back

F 6,3 ; Iso 4000 ; 1/ 1600 sec ; man exp

Processed with DPP 4.5 and PS CC; cropped for comp from all sides , apart from the bottom , i wished for more space all around in the original capture . But as there is not enough , i had to crop to get something pleasing . I also wish i had a lower POV , but from elephant back at short distance ...:w3... no chance .

Thanks for watching and commenting to my previous posting .

Cheers Andreas

Andreas, can you RP as above, but more below please???

Sorry Steve i think you got me wrong , or i said it wrong .
Bottom is as shot sadly :e3 , cropped from all three other sides . i really wish i had more room at the foot

Cheers Andreas

Hi Andreas -- As far as i have the experience of elephant rides ,One gets to see both sides of photographing from the back of the elephant , special moments but real challenging circumstances . I think you have done a wonderful job with this one ! Very difficult it is to shoot from the elephant back , it continuously moves and causes great difficulty in stabilising .

I really liked the moment and the details that you have got here . Nice IQ as well . I can certainly live with that cramped bottom area of the frame as far as it is taken from the elephant back .

TFS !

Hello my Lietchi Boetie,

Been out of touch for a while but I will drop you a reply to your email now now:w3

Amazing capture and so much expression from both protagonists, one with a submissive and fearful look and the other a bit on the agro side!

You have captured such wonderful interaction, Andreas. Indeed, a pity about the less than perfect framing. But you were quite dependent on the elephant who gave you a ride, so not much of a choice I guess?

Superb colours and tonality, as well as detail. Love those skin folds. I have never witnessed interaction between rhino so this is really super special to me.

Just a question: considering the quality of this frame, have you thought of the possibility of a very close crop?

Really enjoyed viewing, my Boetie - think you for sharing. Feels as if I could stretch out my hand and put a stop to the fight between those two boys:tinysmile_shy_t:. And did I mention your wonderful PP work:)

Warmest regards,

Hi Andreas - Fully understand the difficulties of shooting from an elephant but think you did very well here. Yes, I agree with you own critique especially about the space but really like the textures and the action that you captured.

TFS,
Rachel

Space below aside, I really like the clarity and colour contrast here (they leap off the screen against that green backdrop).
Good sharpness where it matters!

Thanks Gabriela for your always very warm wording .... in your comments .Much appreciated .
Thanks also to Morkel and Rachel , much appreciate your critique ... too :wave:

Cheers Andreas