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Thread: Dawn hunting patrol

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Default Dawn hunting patrol

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    Just back from a magic 3 weeks in Ruaha and was very fortunate to be granted an off road permit and a working assignment with TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority).

    A pride of 7 head off under a magnificent dawn sky to begin a hunt that saw them bring down an impala in heavy cover.

    This back side view was intentional, showing the clear open grassland rather than the heavier cover they were emerging from.

    Ruaha NP- Tanzania.

    Nikon D810 Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 1/400s f/4.5 ISO110@ 26mm. Slight crop. Front pax seat, curves, levels, TK adj's in ACR & PS CC '15.

    Cheers
    Marc
    Last edited by Marc Mol; 11-12-2016 at 04:26 PM.


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    Marc when I first started trying to take wildlife pictures had a real fixation about head angles and subjects looking at the camera thinking everything else was wrong,this image just shows how to tell a story with these Lions going out on there hunt in the morning light, and not forgetting that magnificent sky,wonderful work.

    Keith.

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    For me it is very very nice. The sky is very interesting and the same the composition. Perfect using lens.. The only little problem for me is no ight on the lions...

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Very atmospheric, I like the title and the scene.
    Do you have more - I wonder if you caught one with the nearest lioness in the ray of light?

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    Utterly breathtaking Marc, the sky and the sheer scale are mezmerizing for me. The way the lions lead one into frame into that breathtaking landscape and how the clouds echo that makes one want to stare a while. I simply adore your and Morkel's ability to show me your homeland,it's an amazing gift you both have in slightly different ways Marc. Beautifully and thoughtfully executed . I also echo Keiths words although i'm way less experienced.

    A wonder for the eye cheers for sharing this

    stu

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Appreciate the comments Keith, John & Stu, many thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Ashton View Post
    Do you have more - I wonder if you caught one with the nearest lioness in the ray of light?
    I have quite a few other frames John with the pride entering that golden light, just nothing immediately following this frame but have a mountain of images to work through still.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Philpott View Post
    I simply adore your and Morkel's ability to show me your homeland,it's an amazing gift you both have in slightly different ways Marc.
    The African continent is in my heart Stu, as much as I would like it to be my homeland, Australia is where I originate from, and currently live in Switzerland with a (likely) move to the US in the near future.
    Last edited by Marc Mol; 11-13-2016 at 02:50 PM.


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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Ooops.....double post.


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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Marc - Welcome back, looking forward to your images. My first thought on opening this was the same as Jon's, I wish the lions were in that warm, morning light. Great sky and clouds. I don't have a problem with the view from the rear but would like to see if you have any with both the lions further into that light and a bit more of the distant mountains at the horizon. Surprised you shot this at f4.5 rather than stopping down a bit more (as more of a landscape).

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Thanks Rachel

    Quote Originally Posted by Rachel Hollander View Post
    Hi Marc - Welcome back, looking forward to your images. My first thought on opening this was the same as Jon's, I wish the lions were in that warm, morning light. Great sky and clouds. I don't have a problem with the view from the rear but would like to see if you have any with both the lions further into that light and a bit more of the distant mountains at the horizon. Surprised you shot this at f4.5 rather than stopping down a bit more (as more of a landscape).

    TFS,
    Rachel
    The lions were coming out from heavy treeline forest, hence the long shadow casts and as we positioned the vehicle hoping they would come into the light with lions being lions they changed tack, back into the shadows,
    not much one could do about that. Yes, I could have opened the shadows more but wanted to refrain from too much of a HDR look.

    I have numerous more images in better light & mountain BG of course, but wanted to start this trip posting with a subtle approach before launching into more dramatic stuff.
    Last edited by Marc Mol; 11-14-2016 at 01:28 AM.


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    Hi Marc -- great to have you back and what a way to start ! This is an excellent image when it comes to story telling and the patterns in the sky makes this a brilliant image . It has this amazing feel to it, which just cant be expressed in words .

    TFS !

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    I like this, Marc. Yes, they could have been in better light, but the photo is about more than the lions themselves as well.
    Great sky! That permit sounds like fun! What was the assignment for them?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


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  19. #12
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Thanks Morkel

    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    I like this, Marc. Yes, they could have been in better light, but the photo is about more than the lions themselves as well.
    Great sky! That permit sounds like fun! What was the assignment for them?
    Their marketing dept. wanted a complete refresh for their website, publications, brochures etc with emphasis on getting key species in action, different vegetation types/habitats, Ranger complex, camp sites, breakfast points, etc.
    It's something I've been negotiating for a long time now and persistence paid off.

    As in many National Parks, vehicles will always try and sneak some off-roading when they feel one can get away with it, however this permit allows one all freedom to STAY offroad as long as is required wihout the constant looking over one's shoulder. Plus I got to work with the BBC (which was very cool) who were attempting to shoot lion predation on giraffe, which was always going to be a huge task given their short 3 week time span.
    Last edited by Marc Mol; 11-14-2016 at 11:13 AM.


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    Hi Marc, the sky is just stunning!! Ruaha is great!! Glad and happy for you that you got that permit for off-roading! Lucky you! I loved my 2 days in Ruaha and wished for more. Maybe next time. I like the framing and agree that this is about the scene and the expanse these animals get to roam. Well done.

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