At the Waterhole

[Giovanni Frescura]

Canon 1dx Mark II Canon 500 f.4 is II
iso 800
f.8 1/2000

[Jonathan Ashton]

Giovanni, something looks a little out of place to me - maybe I am wrong so please correct me, but the wildebeest in the foreground looks exceptionally sharp - perhaps a little oversharpened - see the tips of the horns and the eyelashes - right eye and yet the background elephants look a bit fuzzy - almost ghostly. Have you selectively applied some kind of blur filter?
I like the B&W image but perhaps a little less contrast?

[Giovanni Frescura]

Giovanni, something looks a little out of place to me - maybe I am wrong so please correct me, but the wildebeest in the foreground looks exceptionally sharp - perhaps a little oversharpened - see the tips of the horns and the eyelashes - right eye and yet the background elephants look a bit fuzzy - almost ghostly. Have you selectively applied some kind of blur filter?
I like the B&W image but perhaps a little less contrast?

It is right...also me have the same idea...I will try again and repost.
Thanks

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Gio ..... i will start with a question to you .
What was your thinking when you took this shot ?
For me it is not working from any possible perspective .
Sounds harsh what i say .... i am just being honest .
The conversion does look basically ok .....still looks like a conversion with no concept , just hammered with contrast .
That was tough ....sorry Gio

TFS Andreas

[Giovanni Frescura]

Hi Gio ..... i will start with a question to you .
What was your thinking when you took this shot ?
For me it is not working from any possible perspective .
Sounds harsh what i say .... i am just being honest .
The conversion does look basically ok .....still looks like a conversion with no concept , just hammered with contrast .
That was tough ....sorry Gio

TFS Andreas

Hello Andreas
no worry
I post my photos to have honesty tips and no nice words.
I tae this shoot becouse I like the difference between agnu and an elephant in background...no more

[John Mack]

The black and white treatment works very well here. Lots going on wish there was more room.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Gio,

Thank you for sharing another image, much appreciated. Good to see you post again.

I do understand what grabbed you at the scene, just wish you were a little more careful in terms of composition. The wildebeest in the middle is turned away and this is precisely where the viewer's eyes settle when opening this frame. The one on the left hand side appears to be the main character because he is "in focus", unfortunately he is about to exit the scene.

On the right hand side we have a tail and rear end of another character. Frame overall feels very tight and extremely crowded, the elephants in the BG are too prominent in my opinion, maybe next time try experiment more with DoF? Another problem is, not enough space for the virtual legs of the second raw of wildebeest, too little foreground.

I think a successful image is one that manages to convey - to some extent - what the author saw, or felt, at the time he or she captured the scene. It has to convey a certain mood, or feel ( can be "tranquility, or "chaos", etc.). It should provoke or arouse the viewer. I am afraid this scene leaves the viewer indifferent as it lacks interest. Or tension, or anticipation. I also cannot establish an emotional connection with any of the characters.

Like Andreas, I also think the conversion works to some extent, but the content lacks the power to move. Something for you to think about...

Hope you have a wonderful Festive Season and a Happy New Year, and keep experimenting Gio

PS. Hope you don't mind me changing your title slightly. The word "hole" is very general and might lead to misunderstandings. I am sure you meant to say "waterhole"

Kind regards,

[Marc Mol]

Have to agree with others above Gio, just not working for me here, but keep 'em coming.

TFS

[Giovanni Frescura]

Hello Gabriela
all your words are right..no problems
Merry Christmas to you and to all friends of the birdphotographers!

[Gabriela Plesea]

Merry Christmas Gio