Big Vic

[Morkel Erasmus]

Doug's posts have got me looking into our Mana trip files again.

Big Vic is one of the legendary elephant bulls of Mana Pools. He is the biggest of the lot (bulk-wise), cool calm and collected, and quite approachable. Besides coming right into our camp at one point during our recent safari, we were able to get close to where he was feeding with 2 of his cohorts one morning in the floodplains. This photo was taken with a wide angle lens as we were sitting on a fallen log right next to the tree he was picking his breakfast from. An awe-inspiring experience to be so close on foot (he was between 5 and 7 meters from us), and one that keeps me going back again and again to Mana Pools!


Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @ 29mm!!
f5.6 | 1/320 SS | ISO-400

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Wow Morkel, the composition, the behavior and the details in this one are amazing. How I wish I was there to witness this. And all this at 29mm is incredible. Thanks for sharing.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - great use of the wide angle. The comp works well for me as does the low pov. Still no embedded profile! If it were mine, I would darken the greens a bit. Also, watch the halo where the ele meets the sky and also where the tree trunk meets the sky.

TFS,
Rachel

[Morkel Erasmus]

Still no embedded profile!

Now I am really getting p!$$3d off, as I specifically imported the BPN file into PS and assigned the sRGB profile before posting...

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel we talked about some stuff and you giving me a mouth watering experience with this frame even if there is no profile , hope you sort out your dilemma.
Very nice frame with lovely colors and tones .Good balance in the image , but i would try to loose some space on RHS and go for 5x7 crop .

Nice work and experience i think , TFS Andreas

[Steve Canuel]

Really shows off how they use their trunks. I like the expanse of trees in the BG. Does this area flood annually? If so, how long does it stay wet?

[Dvir Barkay]

wow that close is amazing, wide angles tend to lessen the size of objects too so he must have been very big from so close up. Only nitpick and its not really one, is that maybe the light that is hitting his backside would have been nice on his face as well.

[Steve Maxson]

Very interesting behavior captured and amazing that you can do this on foot with a wide angle!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, are you 'Saving for Web, or how do you finalise your image, I bet it's an unchecked box, especially if you have updated PS?

I like the behaviour aspect and good call on the wider lens here, gives a nice perspective. I also like the sloping termite mound leading up and around the base of the tree.

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hi Morkel, are you 'Saving for Web, or how do you finalise your image, I bet it's an unchecked box, especially if you have updated PS?

Thanks Steve - yep found that unticked box but I never unticked it so must have been during auto update of PS CC

[Steve Kaluski]

Just make sure other boxes that need to be checked are also done, Colour Setting/Convert to Profile under Edit are also set correctly. PSCC2014 is a bit of a bugger at times, but some really cool/updated features.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Morkel,

One thing I really like about you and your photography is that you're not shy to experiment and make use of all equipment available. I like your versatility, and especially the diversity when it comes to your posts. Lovely elliescape in sweet light, that outstretched trunk a great bonus and some nice environment included - a delightful scene so pleasing to the eye, blue sky included

Always a pleasure to view your posts...

Have a great evening,