Big old 'Unit'

[Steve Kaluski]

One of the few 'Big Tuskers' left, around 35-40 years of age and still going strong, (not quite as big as the main guy who was around 55 years of age and rest his trunk on the right tusk), but great to have the opportunity to encounter these animals. Would have preferred a tad more DoF.

Thanks to those who posted or viewed on the last posting.

Steve

Subject: African elephant - slowly strolling, curled trunk
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 200-400f/4 MKII HH
Exposure: 1/800s at f/10 ISO3200
Original format: Portrait, slight crop at the top
Processed via: LRCC Classic & PSCC2019

[Morkel Erasmus]

Loving the curled-up trunk here, Steve.
Good tones and sense of place.
Placing in the frame is nicely done.

[John Mack]

Did not know elephants live that long. The vertical composition is nice and i like the setting.

[haseeb badar]

Absolutely loved it Steve , what magnificent IQ . Loved the pose and great call on going vertical. Excellent tones and details in your subject . Superbly done. TFS !

[Jonathan Ashton]

Well composed, as usual excellent colours and details, the action is well caught -( the raised foot is what I am referring to), the base is nicely anchoring the rest of the image. I think it is excellent.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve ... technial perfection for me in this frame !!! Both in capture and PP . First i thought the crop could be tighter on RHS , but after a few more looks and time i think ... there is some space for the elephant to stroll into ...
Lovely tonal range and perfect colors ....love the reddish tone in the elephant , is that taken around Gabriela´s area ?
If a had a wish ... i would have loved the BG being more uniform in terms of tree on RHS , instead of these hazy hills .

Well done Maestro ...

TFS Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

i would have loved the BG being more uniform in terms of tree on RHS , instead of these hazy hills .

I'll get them to start planting more trees Andreas . I like the idea of a varied BKG, gives distance too, think a uniformed backdrop would be too sterile and boring, but hey, hard to tell an elephant to stand on the X spot, unless you have some secret tips from work?

[Andreas Liedmann]

I'll get them to start planting more trees Andreas . I like the idea of a varied BKG, gives distance too, think a uniformed backdrop would be too sterile and boring, but hey, hard to tell an elephant to stand on the X spot, unless you have some secret tips from work?

Agree with you about the planting ..... you might have told the driver to move forward to get the uniform tree line .... but you preferred the varied BG , will remember that , when you ask next time for a more uniform BG . And yes difficult to tell animals to stay in one spot .... unless you are THE WHISPERER . My thinking was initial about the BG .... and no real issue for me , just a wish .

Cheers Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Steve,

Such beautiful detail and colours, I wish my ellies looked like this!

Love the walking (and munching) pose and trunk perfectly curled up against the subject's face. Wonderful rich surroundings/vegetation and that bit of blue from the mountain in the BG gads to the 3D feel.
F10 worked perfectly here. Composition is great. Well exposed and beautifully processed, I like this as presented

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

F10 worked perfectly here.

Probably preferred f/11 Gabriela.

[Gabriela Plesea]

I shall go look for this big Ellie... And when I find him I'll take a few frames at F11, just for you