Recognition

[Loi Nguyen]

I think I have gone thru all of the easy images from my recent trip to Botswana. So, now is the time to tackle some of the more difficult images in not so good light.

We stopped for a short break after spending more than 1 hour with a large herd of elephants. The sun was high overhead and I saw this mother and her calf walking straight on the path to the vehicle. Then she stopped and shook her head and body vigorously, but not a sign of aggression. Our guide explained that this is a recognition sign, menaing "I know you are there, don't try to do something bad now," then mother and calf veered off and went on their way.

1DX
500f4 II
1/1600
f8
ISO-800
Handheld
Cropped a little bit at bottom and top.

Applied a little bit of Nik Color to bring out the details, but didn't want to over do it.

Lumino mask to tame the highlights

Thank you for your comments.

Loi

[Neil Burton]

Little bit tights but I do like the action and the dust falling.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Loi - nice action captured. Techs in the field look good. I too feel it is a bit tight, particularly below and to the right. Perhaps put back what you cropped from below. You can also bring out a bit more detail by opening the midtones slightly.

TFS,
Rachel

[Russell Johnson]

Loi, I would agree with the comments above to take it to the next level.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Loi, like the scene and the behavior you captured . The falling dust and the head shaking is looking very nice.
For a broad daylight shot it is quite dark , i feel .And i think a bit cool overall in color.
Just made a quick edit for illustration.
TFS Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Lovely capture Loi,


I like your OP very much, although Andreas's RP takes it up a notch in terms of detail and the image looks warmer, all it needs now is that extra space at the bottom and you have a winner!
Love that movement from the ears and tail, great timing and good thinking, F8 did the trick and the little baby ellie is not lost in this image, well done Loi

Kind regards,

[edwardselfe]

Hi Loi - great timing!! These head-shakes are over in a second. I wonder if B&W might be a good option for this image, since the colours are a bit weak...?
Ed

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Loi - great timing!! These head-shakes are over in a second. I wonder if B&W might be a good option for this image, since the colours are a bit weak...?
Ed

Ed, you nailed this on the head. I agreed that the colors were a bit weak. I have played with B&W, but have not found a combo I like, so I decided to post the color version to get feedback. Will put a RP later. Thank you. Loi

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi everyone, thank you very much for your good suggestions. Here is a full frame, B&W version.

Andreas, you were right, I was trying to coax some color out of the sky and reduced the exposure too much. it was broad daylight. There was way too much contrast in the light, so I chose the low contrast version in LR5 and tweaked from there. Applied a little bit of Nik too.

Hope you will like it better.

thank you

Loi

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hey Loi. Love it when they do this, and well timed to get this pose. I prefer Andreas' repost, and I'm not totally sold on your B&W, but I might play around myself later...
I'd also like to see it uncropped?