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Thread: Scattered Stripes

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Scattered Stripes

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    This is an experimental shot from last year's Great Migration safari that I felt worked out nicely.
    The zebras were drinking from a bend in the Mara river, with 2 huge crocodiles trying to snag a meal. Every bit of movement in the water caused some zebras to spook, while others braved it and drank their fill.
    My remote trigger had gone flat battery on me, so I had to balance the camera on a beanbag, induce a shutter time delay and trip it gingerly with my finger, all the while balancing the bigger lens with the other hand over the Land Cruiser rooftop to anticipate the actual croc strike with more focal length.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s
    Nikkor 80-400mm VR @ 360mm
    f40 | 1/10 SS | ISO-360

    At this shutter speed nothing was going to be tack-tack sharp, and that's okay with me...
    Morkel Erasmus

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    I like the image because to me it more effectively shows the real situation of some animals being still at the same time other animals are fleeing anticipated danger. The image is a little dark....but I think that helps the zebras stand out from the background. I also note that you used th3 80-400 for this shot. Interesting to me since I am going to SA this fall for the first time and am struggling with what gear to take. More on that in the Africa forum....
    Last edited by Karen Pleasant; 06-22-2015 at 03:38 PM. Reason: correction

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - Sorry, I usually like your experiments but this one just isn't working for me. I agree that it's a bit dark and for me, the grouping in the ulc is just too many and a bit chaotic. That may be what you were trying to achieve but not my personal taste. Sorry.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Douglas Bolt's Avatar
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    Morkel,

    A very compelling image. I found myself looking at much longer than usual. I like the stark contrast.
    Douglas Bolt
    DougBoltPhotography.com

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  8. #5
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, like the thinking and contrast in the image, but it does look 'processed', although printed really big may make for a nice impact.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Hi Morkel -- I really liked this one ! A panned Zebra in the RHS void would have made this even more special !! enjoyed this one Morkel , TFS !

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  12. #7
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Morkel,

    I briefly looked at this image the other day but had no chance to reply - tonight I am giving it another look and some more thought, and I do apologise to you for coming in so late.

    I always find it exciting to look at your images. I admit I kind of expect to see something new and fresh every time I open the thumbnail to view, and this is no exception:) I do like - very much - the ghostly appearance of the "spooked" zebra, as opposed to the peaceful ones drinking. I believe this would print well, even though - IMO - there is not enough transition between the two groups of zebra (the in focus, and out-of-focus ones). To me the image seems a bit "forced" - sorry, I cannot find a better word right now. The B/W conversion works, nice contrasty look overall and a lovely dramatic feel to it, I think I know where you were going with this but there's something about the size of the zebra that does not quite add up for me - two images superimposed, a collage, yes, but I keep expecting the subjects to be of the same size - perhaps I lack imagination Morkel, so I could be wrong - will look again tomorrow and let you know if I change my mind, still pondering over this, thank you so much for sharing, this made me stop and think for quite some time

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for the varied comments and discussion, everyone.
    I'm glad to have at least had you thinking.

    BTW this image, as presented here, made the final round of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition this year but didn't place in the end, will try some more of these if I have a chance in the Mara again in September.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Morkel,

    Here I am again:)

    I did think a lot about this, even had another look during the day, from work - still like the idea very much, just something does not quite add up for me - what is it? I liked the darkness, the murky water, dramatic content, from the beginning. Perhaps it is those blurred subjects which appear larger than the others, especially the one on the RHS near the zebra drinking - my perception and I could be wrong.

    I totally agree with you - you should do more when you get to Mara, you have the knack for this stuff. Love your experimenting, by the way - no two images look the same, and ever so often they are loaded with power and meaning - you are a such a creative young man! This one is going to bug me for some time, LOL - it does move my imagination tremendously. Me thinking your story/text also made this frame look more like an accident, which can affect the viewer's thinking (at least my thinking) - if this was mine I would have written a whole "essay" here:)

    And Morkel... keep them coming please!

    Have a super evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel

    I like this image; your description shows the character of living beings- those that are afraid, and those that are not- who lives the longest...?

    I like the flow towards the ulc- the escape, with the contrast of those brave 6 drinking.
    What bugs me is that the size of the fleeing zebras seem larger, maybe it is the motion blur or it can be the stupidity of youth?
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

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    This is fantastic. I would like to see it huge printed and on a wall. Very nice!

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