The Handshake

[Morkel Erasmus]

As the announcement of this year's BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year draws near, I wanted to share this photo of mine which made it all the way to the final round this year in the "black and white" category. I also had 2 other single images and a portfolio of 6 images in the final round of this prestigious competition, but alas it was not bestowed upon me to place in the awarded photographers this time around. I am looking forward to the announcement of the winners later this month, though!

My time spent in this research bunker at a very remote waterhole in Etosha National Park will always bring back fond memories of really seeing and experiencing the daily lives of elephants up close and personal. Elephants are highly social creatures, and even though many of the bulls frequenting this waterhole arrived and left on their own, they never failed to interact with the other bulls around the waterhole, often spending long periods just standing close to others, making contact and rumbling off their tummies or drinking water.


These two bulls were greeting each other and gently touching trunks. The giraffes across on the other side of the waterhole caught my eye and I tried to work them into the composition by shooting vertically. I just love the perspective here...


Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 200mm
f11 | 1/800 SS | ISO-640
Full frame except for slight crop for rotation

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - Great pov and love the textures. Conversion looks good. Congrats on making it to the finals.

TFS,
Rachel

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Hi Morkel, this is a fascinating image, superbly composed, awesome B&W conversion, beautiful POV to include those giraffes in the distance & I love the interaction between the two elephants. TFS. Congrats & I hope this makes it to the top.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

A photo worthy of an entry and worthy of a place in the final round - well done, that's a great achievement for this prestigious competition! I'm looking forward to attending the annual jaw dropping expo again!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Morkel you were robbed!! As soon as I saw the thumbnail I couldn't wait to see the image I think it is really outstanding. B&W is a good choice and those giraffes in the background are the icing on the cake.
I wonder would it be worthwhile trying to enhance the eyes just a little??...Maybe that is the bird photographer talking??

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Morkel, as said already, congrats to make it that far. Love the comp and the moment the 3 giraffes standing right in that spot

Have a great eve

Ciao
Anette

[Katie Rupp]

Congratulations, Morkel! You know I appreciate the special way you see and capture a scene and this is a prime example. The juxtaposition of the engaged elephants with the giraffes in the background tells a story; nice detail with the tiny flecks of mud falling off the elephant and black and white is perfect for this image.

Best,
Katie

[Dumay de Boulle]

Congrats on a magnificent image. Well done mate!

[Steve Kaluski]

Pretty neat image Morkel, like the comp and that bunker really does deliver.

Know the feeling about the 'comps', been there this year too, but not B/W.

TFS
Steve

[Marc Mol]

Love the conversion and framing here Morkel, with a touch of OTB feel.
Still........getting to the final round isn't to be sneezed at I feel.

I too went down to the same finals round of the BBC WPOTY '14 with 3 singles, so share your determination to do even better for '15.

TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the very kind comments, folks.
Steve, Marc, Anette - commiserations to you all too!
Roll on next year haha