Lineup of Trunks

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thought I'd throw another one in here before the weekend kicks off proper.
Some of you will know where this is from ...
All crits welcome!


Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @ 44mm
Kenko Pro Circular Polariser
f8.0 | 1/400 SS | ISO-800
EV +0.7 (for polariser and evaluatative metering with the sky included)
Pretty much full frame side to side, slight crop top and bottom


PS, edit: I see the hair . Processed this a while ago and must have missed it, and uploaded this from my laptop which doesn't have processing software, will correct later

[Marc Mol]

I do like the framing and comp here Morkel, with the attentive & dominant central ele and the BG pair reaching out, just not sure this wouldn't be better suited to a colour version, with no doubt
a nice CPL sky and skin tones on the eles, it loses that somewhat in this B&W for mine in not having enough tonal range.

[Thinus Schoeman]

Hi Morkel, I feel I am the absolutely last one who should have anything to say about your images as I have so much to learn.
However, I am going to give it a bash.

I presume it was very harsh light, and that is why the polariser was used. The elephant closest to the camera certainly provides a very strong focal point in this classic African scene.
I do agree with Marc in that I would have liked to see a bit more contrast, especially on the right hand side where the elephants are not contrasting enough against the very light sky.

Otherwise, certainly a strong image, and I would have been more than happy if it was mine! Congrats!

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - I'm going to disagree with Marc and Thinus and say this works for me as is. My eye is instantly drawn to the fg elephant and the others fade into the bg. I presumed that was your intent with their toning?

TFS,
Rachel

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel, can you please clarify where this shot is taken …………. i know about place that looks the same , but they will not let me get there .
Agree with Rachel about whole intent of this image . I like low POV , the overall tones and the comp, last but not least the conversion.
I think there is not much tonal difference between the FG and BKG elephants , i feel there just more sharpening selectively on The FG elephant ?!

Nice work Morkel , TFS Andreas

[Nancy Bell]

I really like the composition of this as a mass grouping of elephants. There is the one dramatic dominant ellie coming at the viewer with the pale head & flared ears nicely set of by the polarized sky. The drama is greatly increased by the low POV. Then I love the secondary point of interest of a back elephant fully stretching out it's trunk across the empty space. Very cool detail!

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Morkel

Love the POV from that hide!

Comp perfect. Agree with Rachel on focal point and with Nancy with back ellies.

The semi wet bodies add a lot of contrast, and show the herd was moving .


Love it!

Andre

[Gabriela Plesea]

Well, let me set aside the polite talk and say "I dig this big time, Morkel"!

I am dreaming of a big print - just like this - in my sitting room, on canvas! Absolutely loving it, especially the whiteness of the prominent ellie in front, against that gradient in the BG! No crits from me, save for that little mark above one of the ellies at the back, the one on the right of the main character (looks like the shadow of a trunk). Love the action at the back, the eye contact with the main character, the presentation altogether. Great work, congratulations!!!

Warmest regards,

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Morkel,

comp works good in here. There is something which bugs me or is missing, but could not find it yet. I did not read all other comments, sorry. I am very busy.
Maybe it is the sky, not sure.

Have a great Sunday

Ciao
Anette

[Giovanni Frescura]

Hi Morkel
it is very nice. The elephan'ts group is perfect and the situation is very ok.
I think you are in Namibia ...or at Addo
Also the gray are ok.
For me the only little problem could be the tail on the left side of the pricipal actor that come out and my eyes go there intead to stop on the big elephant.
Ok also for sky.
Well done!
Ciao
Gio

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, for me it's the prospect of this shooting from the bunker. The low view point just creates that great shooting angle which brings so much to the shot.

TFS
Steve