Air Traffic Control starts early

[Steve Kaluski]

Normally I would avoid shots like this, to much like 'Fathers day' cards, but couldn't resist this one.

A small group of Giraffes used to frequent the air strip most days. Normally we would be leaving camp around 5.45pm in the dark, but on this occasion we heard a Leopard we had been looking for had been seen so driving back we had to pass the giraffes and on this occasion the sun was rising with some awesome light. So just quickly stopped to grab some frames. Nice to have an OP to add a bit of interest.

I didn't want just a two colour image so allowed sone detail to come through and also not let Lr stick its oar in.

Steve

Subject: Giraffe in early morning light
Location: Masai Mara
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Lens: RF 70-200 f/2.8 HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/5 ISO5000
Original format: Portrait, very small crop
Processed via: LRC 12.3, DT & PS '23 24.0.1

[Jonathan Ashton]

I like it plain and simple, the composition is good and the silhouette complete with oxpecker looks super.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Jon, as I said it’s not something I would normally shooting, but do the merit in them, makes for change anyway.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Steve,

I absolutely love this image, love the colours and that bit of detail coming through, the swishy tail and the little oxpecker.

Well composed and the background is awesome, you always put so much thought into your images! Wish I could do the same, well at least I am trying to...

On my way to the wilderness tomorrow and hoping for some sightings. Will be in touch, Steve

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for sharing!

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Gabriela

On my way to the wilderness tomorrow and hoping for some sightings. Will be in touch, Steve

Have a wonderful time you two, can't think of anything you might have left behind judging on the pics!!!

Looking forward to it and remember some of the pitfalls of the Z9, go back to the D5 at times, then full on PP.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Nice simplicity here, Steve. I do like the hint of detail - but I probably would have liked a full-on silhouette as well.
In hindsight, having the face turned nicely sideways for a "distinct" head profile would have been even better.
With shots like this I quite like "breaking the rule of thirds" and placing the subject smack-dang in the middle, especially given the head looking straight on. Just a thought, you might be able to crop thus?

[Joseph Przybyla]

Well, the Father's Day card looks pretty darn good. I love the image, colors, silhouette, environment all work wonderfully together. Thank you for sharing, Steve.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve ... always special those African moments under these lighting conditions and you did well with it .
Love the light and the use of color and tones ... the winning tail took this up a notch , the OP is there but for me he does not add .
Personally I would prefer less FG and more of that wonderful sky with the whisky clouds .

TFS Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

In hindsight, having the face turned nicely sideways for a "distinct" head profile would have been even better.

Thanks Morkel, but as I said, this type of image doesn't float my boat, just so much of it about, all looking the same. Therefore as the sun comes up quickly as you know, to wait for the Giraffe to turn it's head and have the tail swish too, may never have happened.

Personally I would prefer less FG and more of that wonderful sky with the whisky clouds .

Yep.