Zebras of El Dorado

[Morkel Erasmus]

Those who've been to Mana Pools know what I'm talking about when I talk about the golden light in the forest...this was taken at dawn shooting directly into the light. It creates a tricky exposure and supreme lack of contrast in-camera, but if you work at it a bit in post-processing you can arrive at a semblance of what you experienced when you were standing there at that moment (yes, I was on foot).


If you know your Latin American folklore, you will get the title!
Taken on our recent photographic safari.


Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 | 1/1250 SS | ISO-800

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, thought you might have posted this sooner?

Based on previous images from this location, the light has certainly gone in a totally different direction and I certainly prefer the previous ones. Personally it's not really working for me, but we all look at an image in different ways, I just feel it lacks depth & tone, even with shooting into the light. I'm also surprised about the IQ, at 800 I would have expected more, just feel it looks lightened creating a bit more grain. Saying that, the hotspot is in keeping and I don't find it distracting and seems to blend in well.

I think I just need to go there to see for myself.

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

just feel it looks lightened creating a bit more grain. Saying that, the hotspot is in keeping and I don't find it distracting and seems to blend in well.

I think I just need to go there to see for myself.

You caught me - did have to lighten it a bit...
That being said, the IQ/grain I see at high res is quite nice and it should print out well...

If you ever want to go - would love to show you around

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - I don't mind the hotspot either but you also have enough room to crop it out from the top if you so desired. I do miss seeing the feet a little and it took me a while to get used to the color. Since you were there, I am sure it is accurate. Your Mana Pools images definitely keep tempting me.

TFS,
Rachel

[Jamie Douglas]

Hi Morkel, looks like you had both feet firmly on terra firma. No need for see legs out in Mana.

My son Ewan just came running through grrrrr'ing at the PC if that is even a term. This is what he does when he sees any wildlife. He grrrrs at the animals. A sign of approval I think

One of us needs a windfall so we can arrange a BPN trip to Mana

Sweet image Morkel, and in addition to the comments above, I'd look at trying to remove or reduce the green cast in the light rays and softening the foreground - looks just a touch grungy.



Jamie

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

A very unique image Morkel, I like the tone and haze. The Zebras do look sharp enough. TFS.

[Marlies Vermeesch]

Hi Morkel,

beatifull picture but the color of the light looks on my PC, with calibrated monitor, to much orange .

I Like your pictures.

[Martin Dunn]

Interesting.
I don't mind the orange tone and I have no problem with the sharpness. I think that this is an image that will look better the larger it gets. I also think that it would have benefitted from a lot more apace around the zebras,particularly at the top. I can visualise a really neat image with the zebras in the bottom third and a background of orange light filtering through the trees.
Looks like we've got enough people to fill a group to Mana Pools.

[Morkel Erasmus]

I also think that it would have benefitted from a lot more apace around the zebras,particularly at the top. I can visualise a really neat image with the zebras in the bottom third and a background of orange light filtering through the trees

Thanks Martin - funny you say that, I actually cropped a bit from the top (and a little from all around) since there were more blown out highlighted blotches higher in the frame...

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel,
besides the fact the image looks kind of grainy resulting in a lower IQ , than usually presented by you, i kind of like it.

Like the golden/reddish light and the framing, cut off feet are a minor issue in this case ,like wise the burned blotch.
Interesting the V- View of the two zebras.

TFS Andreas

BTW - if Steve is having no time , i will have for Mana , tell me the time window when you are able to go, i will be there ready to go , honestly.