Mom, I'm Sinking!

[Loi Nguyen]

Taken last Summer in a swamp where we saw a herd of elephants feeding. The swamp was deep so even the adult elies were submerged more than half of their bodies. This baby stepped into a deep area and started sinking and she reached out her trunk to touch the mother for support. It was a totally overcast day, light was flat, and I was shooting high up from the safari vehicle.

Not sure what to do here, the image seems pretty flat. I used Luminosity mask at 36% and slightly darkened the Mother's rump with Curves, then sharpened.

Full frame

5D3
70-300L f5.6 @ 300mm

1/1000
f5.6
ISO-800
Handheld

Not sure if this can be saved or should go to the trash bin.

It was a tender moment and the image may not convey what happened.

Thank you

Loi

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Loi - Sorry, but this one isn't working for me. I think it is a case of you had to be there to know what is happening. Before reading your description it took me a couple of seconds to even realize they were elephants. After reading your description I understand what was happening but it just doesn't grab me (pun intended). This type of image might work if it is part of a series showing more of the drama, otherwise its a good memory of your sighting. You certainly have much better elephant shots though.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Loi,
sadly i have to say i agree 100 % with Rachel.This image is not working even i think as part of a series i would not find it attractive.The "drama" is just not really visible.
You asked for improving the image.

What i did was getting rid of the magenta cast on the elephants and made it slightly cooler in ACR, then i used the HISTORY BRUSH in PS CC for dodging & burning the whole image.

TFS Andreas

[Loi Nguyen]

Rachel & Andrew, thank you for your comments. I know this is a hard one for me to make it work and clearly it does not. However, I was troubled by the color very much and couldn't figure out what was wrong, now Andrew pointed out the magenta cast. That will help me work other images, so thank you. Loi

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hi Loi,

A very touching moment you have witnessed here, I am sure the eyes of the ellies would have told the story if they were visible in this image. Unfortunately, all we have is this desperate little trunk reaching out…The OP is better yet I long to see more, did you by any chance get any shots of the little one getting out of the swamp?

Kind regards,

[Neil Burton]

No eyes no empathy I guess. Have to agree it is all a bit hidden.

[Morkel Erasmus]

I would have to agree with the others here, Loi. Hard to ascertain exactly what's going on, and even with the description the image doesn't convey the intensity of the moment for me.
One for the "sightings records" folder, I think

[Loi Nguyen]

Ok, thank you everyone, can't make this one work.

Gabriela, We were on a bridge when this happened, the Mother and baby got out of the swamp, but there were other vehicles blocking the view, so no clear shot.

Morkel and Gabriela, my wife and I will have an evening in Johannesburg on April 7 and will fly back home on April 8. Will drop you a PM as the date nears if there is a chance to meet and have coffee or something :)

loi

[Steve Kaluski]

All been said above Loi.

Steve