Giraffe

[Rachel Hollander]

Taken in Tswalu Game Reserve, South Africa in August 2016 late afternoon/early evening. I really like the way the giraffe stands out against the distant mountains/hills of the Kalahari. I know some won't like the bit of sky but no cropping it out because then the image is too tight on top.

Canon 5D3
100-400 II @ 271 mm
1/500
f5.6
ISO 800
Beanbag from safari vehicle, ff, levels, curves, sharpened in PSCC.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[haseeb badar]

HI Rachel -- Always wonderful to get the full body of the Giraffe at close quarters. I liked the backdrop of the mountain and the typical settings where the wander to feed. Nice details in the subject as well. I see some cyan in the yellows , but not sure as i am not on a proper monitor to comment on the colours. A fine image !

TFS !

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Rachel,

Just mention Kalahari and you got my attention

I love your giraffe against the dunes and also the surrounding vegetation. In fact I like everything about this, from the soft muted colours of the BG to the beautiful patterns of the subject, what perfect blend. Tswalu must be so beautiful.

I really do not mind the sky here, Rachel. Colours are great and your PP work brings out the most valuable elements in this frame. I would print this if I were you and hang it on my wall, what better memory of a wonderful time spent in Africa? Hope you do return and maybe next time we have a chance to meet, it would be good to chat face to face

I really enjoyed viewing, thank you Rachel!

Warmest regards,

[Stuart Philpott]

Gorgeous Rachel,I definitely would keep the sky for me it adds because then the mountain can be kept to it's full extent. It sets off the height of the giraffe for me . I adore the soft muted tones in this Rachel and love the red soil,nothing to change for me Rache simply gorgeous

Stu

[Alex Becker]

Great shot Rachel -- I also like the addition of the sky. I think it helps that you have progressively lighter 'layers' from earth to mountain to sky to ease through the transition. The combinations of reds, blues, and greens, and of course the giraffe's yellows is really cool. Can't really find any nits on my end -- a nice image of an animal I really want to see at some point.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Haseeb, Gabriela, Stu and Alex for the kind comments. I'm glad you all like this one.

[Steve Kaluski]

Yep, a nice portrait indeed Rachel. You did well not to have the contour off the first hill not intersecting the head in the BKG. Personally I might up upped the White as there is a lot of scope and tweaked one or two colours to bring some colour through which adds some contrast to the soil and the Giraffes markings. Nice one.

TFS
Steve

[keith mitchell]

Rachel it's really good the way you have kept all this into perspective ,beautiful natural shot shot of this animal in it's habitat.

Keith.

[Marc Mol]

As you say Rachel any specimen, especially a Giraffe where you have good separation from the BG always makes for an ideal subject, nicely seen and processed and agree with Gabriel on the lovely soft muted colours.

TFS

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Steve, Keith and Marc, much appreciated.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Rachel i like the way you captured this beautiful Giraffe , she looks so elegant in the way she stands there in the landscape . Nicely separated from the surroundings and the very nice overall color tone combo works very well for me . Superb soft light and subtle colors
The only thing is the sky that does bother me a tiny bit ....

Lovely work ...TFS Andreas