Shake it Off

[Morkel Erasmus]

One of my favourites from my recent trip to Etosha. Taken from an underground bunker hide. This big boy was in "musth" and didn't like it when he noticed there was someone close by. It works in colour, but it rocks in monochrome...

Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @ 36mm
f11 | 1/200 SS | ISO-900
Kenko Pro Circular Polariser
Full frame!
Focus distance = 5m!!

The head is blurred a bit from the slow-ish SS. I was opting for f11 and wanted to keep ISO lower than 1000, and overall it works well for me. The little bit of blur accentuates the agitation of the bull in the moment, while the body is crisp and sharp.

[Loi Nguyen]

Morkel, a unique perspective for sure with a wide angle. The light seemed strong, but you handled the shadow very well here. Your choice is SS worked well with the dust and a little blurring of the head. Well done. Loi

[Gabriela Plesea]

This is brilliant, Morkel! I love the detail and also the blur on the trunk!Beautifully captured, the B/W works wonderful here, great IQ, one of your best images of this species-congratulations

[Rachel Hollander]

Morkel - this works very well. You can almost feel the movement. The dust adds and so does the motion blur. I think the b&w was a good choice. I would consider a little less room to the left.

TFS,
Rachel

[vishaljadhav]

Wonderful image Morkel, the motion makes the action wonderful and the B&W is lovely here.
Even tried a vertical crop on this one , dont know if it will work but when i saw this it is a thought that just crossed my mind and hence asked.
i love the dust thats up there makes the action even nicer to look at.

ps( whats with the D800's and the ISO 1000- theory you are the second one who says the ISO less than 1000 i read that a week or so back on the Birds forum )

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks.

Haven't really considered an alternate crop, will have a look.

Vishal, the D800 is no slouch at high ISO settings, I've just tried to keep to lower ISO settings during my sessions in Etosha with the light being bright (for overall better file quality).

[Don Railton]

Hi Morkel This is a wonderful image..! I love the perspective, the movement and the clarity of the Elephant... I see a slightly motley BG towards the top of the frame and agree a small crop from the left may add something.. Regards, DON

[Carole Deschuymere]

Love this one Morkel! I see what you mean by using photoshop. ;-)

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, this was the kind of shot I have been waiting to see from you. How close do they come, would love to try a 14mm with this size of 'old unit'. Not sure if you could loose a little off the LHS to change the position from a more central placement? What Raw converter do you use, might want to try something?

Morkel! I see what you mean by using photoshop

What did you do in PS?

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks!

How close do they come, would love to try a 14mm with this size of 'old unit'.

They never really got close enough for less than 24mm. They do smell you in there, and only ventured right up to the bunker when we were out of it and looking on from a distance...

Not sure if you could loose a little off the LHS to change the position from a more central placement? What Raw converter do you use, might want to try something?

Will investigate, felt the central placement was the right option here initially...
I convert in LR4 and take it to CS5. What do you want to suggest?

What did you do in PS?

Just pertaining to a discussion I had with Carole on Facebook about how I convert to monochrome (manually in PS viz a viz automated programs). This was done in CS5 only, with dodging and burning to enhance toning in certain areas.

[Steve Kaluski]

Why not make a virtual copy and convert in LR then export, do all your 'burning & dodging' in LR, IQ would be better, plus you are working in RAW, not a pixel based image?

[Morkel Erasmus]

Why not make a virtual copy and convert in LR then export, do all your 'burning & dodging' in LR, IQ would be better, plus you are working in RAW, not a pixel based image?

I misspoke. I often do the conversion (colour filtering) in LR but then take to PS.
Where can you find dodge/burn in LR? Never seen those tools?

[Markus Jais]

Spectacular shot. One of the best Elephant images I've seen.
B&W is perfect here.

Markus

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Morkel, love the B&W and the action you captured.

[Girish Prahalad]

awesome! terrific low angle & action.

[Dperkell]

Absolutely love it! Leave for SA and Botswana on Tuesday for 3 weeks

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks guys