I have seen so many memorable scenes during my travels to the Kalahari - this is one place place that never leaves me indifferent, its shapes and colours often stand out with an impact that overwhelms me and forces me to pay attention. The place and its creatures possess a quality I like to call beauty, one that does not necessarily involve perfection or obvious features in the true sense of the word...Oh well, I guess this is just my way of telling you how much I love the place...
Beauty is fugitive and we often find it in places or things we might never encounter again - to me this was a case of a rare conjunction of light, weather, landscape, and of course, the presence of this gorgeous tall giraffe. It was early morning, 06:21 am, we just drove out of Mata Mata camp and the dry riverbed was peppered with springbok herds, here and there we could see a small cloud of dust raising as the animals struggled to dig out roots and bulbs. Not a blade of grass in sight, only some vegetation atop the dunes, either not edible or perhaps out of reach for most animals. I noticed this solitary giraffe walking at slow pace and loved her dark silhouette against the sky, so I asked Andre to stop the vehicle - all I had was a few moments to capture this simple frame, soon my subject turned away and melted among vegetation. This left me with not enough frames to choose from and a great desire to "bottle" the horizon and the giraffe in it, in the same way art critic John Ruskin once said he wanted to "bottle the sky".
Regarding PP work - I might have been a bit heavy handed when it came to exposure and colours but I experienced a degree of enjoyment when I saw the result - I welcome your critique, whether it pertains to easthetics or techs - I still have lots to learn.
Taken with Nikon D3S, 300mm F2.8, ISO 1600, F4.5, 1/2000s. Shot without support but VR on. I admit I had not given much thought at the time when it came to techs, this was one of those rare moments and all I had on my mind was : " I see this and I must have it, because it matters to me. I want others to see things like these".
...By the way, I get the feeling Morkel might like this, if only because it reminds him of his own experiences:)
Me, having not been to the Kalahari, or for that matter to Africa, you do an extremely fine job of giving us a great perception of what it's like in every sense. Our senses are filled by your complete descriptions of your surroundings. This image is a perfect example of your love for this place. The giraffe silhouetted in the early morning colors is remarkable.
Geoffrey
Last edited by Geoffrey Montagu; 06-28-2015 at 03:03 PM.
Hi Gabriela - I absolutely love this. As Steve will tell you, I sometimes made us chase silhouettes but we didn't get anything nearly as nice as this composition wise. Only thing I might do is a little cw rotation. Very nice overall and will make a nice print my friend.
Gabriela, the colors are just gorgeous and the lone giraffe made a very nice silhouette. I have been to Africa a few times now, but have never seen such a sky. Loi
I know and understand the overall feeling & mood you've captured here Gabriela, love the gorgeous sunset glow and such a wonderful subject to anchor the scene
This does remind me a lot of certain areas in Tanzania, where this could be achieved, just a joy to "drink in & bottle"
I like it a lot. I love the space and the fine detail in the vegetation. I find myself wishing for an Acacia tree on the left hand side to finish off that classic 'African' scene!
Lovely image, It is always a great feeling when you witness something beautiful and then you can manage to capture a Photograph... You may have pushed the PP somewhat but if it pleases you then that is all that matters. As I have said on many occassion it is the final result that matters not how you got there...
but I do remember a certain person quoting "nowadays I try to practice some restraint, I try to keep myself from overdoing things, for I have done it so many times before"
Drop dead gorgeous... wishing it were mine. Thank you for sharing and telling your feelings and story regarding capturing the image. I very much enjoy your images of Africa and reading your writing.
Best regards, Joe
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
You guys are great, and I appreciate every comment and crit, always. Thank you so much!
Geoffrey - I truly love that place tremendously. I work on an image and then sit and stare at it, wondering how to make you see it better, to make you see it through my eyes. I sometimes resort to words, I spend more time writing the story than working on the image.
Rachel - we should chase those silhouettes together sometime, I know it will happen one day! Raymond - I have never been to Tanzania but I think it is awesome there, looking forward to more from your travels. Loi- one does not see this often even in the KTP, otherwise I would have taken more such frames. It is also very brief, as the sun rises the colours are changing and the light becomes very harsh. Morkel surely has seen this.Marc - you and Raymond make me want to go to Tanzania:) No acacia, Dumay! I was tempted to clone some bushes but I didn't, LOL.
And Peter - I like it in your world No matter how much I try keep things under control, I still cross the barriers...So glad you like this. As you said, it is the final result that matters. And I care for your opinion, very much. I do not do all this just to please myself, I want to share: every time I post something in here, I am trying to say something, and cherish the hope that you might like it.
Joseph, I will keep telling stories for as long as you enjoy them, thank you so much:)
Hi Gabriela what not to like about this frame .
Lovely colors and the right tonality for a silhouette . It does look by far not overdone on all counts .
Well worth a stop to shoot some frames .Really nice and simple image with great effect to attract the viewer .
I am a bit late to the party celebrating this very fine capture. Not much more I can add except my warm congratulations on an emotional, evocative image. Regards, Ian.
Uhm. I am quite taken aback.
This is an incredibly simple, yet absolutely beautiful image. Typical of Africa.
Very nicely taken and presented Gabriela.