I created this image on a short in-and-out trip to the Kruger National Park over the first weekend of May 2009. This red-billed oxpecker was grabbing some lunch off an adult Cape Buffalo. As I was composing the shot, the bird looked slightly over its shoulder (spoiling my hoped-for head angle), but in doing this I noticed the buffalo behind the bird was sweetly out of focus. It looked like the bird was eyeing the next buffalo, and I took my shot.
The idea here was to capture something different. The light was turning harsh but I am happy with how the photo came out. Your C&C is most welcome. I cloned out a disturbing small green leaf that was lying in front of the bird on the Buffalo's back.
Techs:
Canon 1000D with 100-400 L IS USM @ 400mm
f7.1 @ 1/640 SS @ ISO 400
EXP -0.3
With that real old dutch name (erasmus) you surly have olmost famos blood in youre body:) I hope to see this olso next februari when I am gooing to visit youre country.
I love the photograph as presented espacialy becaus of the fainted horns at the BG and I olso love the headangel torwarts the buffalo.
@ Alexander - yes my ancestors came from the Netherlands. Alas, had my blood been more famous I would have been able to afford better photographic gear ;)
You should be able to see plenty of these - on buffalo, giraffe, impala. They piggyback on most herbivores in the bushveld.
Interesting Morkel, I think it works well. I would have liked the bird and perch just a bit larger in the frame.
Good to see you trying something different.
Did you run a blur filter on the BG?
Stunning light on the OP Mork, and the little guy is pin. These guys always give good opportunities, and I havent got one yet. Well spotted and captured.
@ Dave - no extra blur added to BG. Just did some NR. I also wanted the bird higher in the frame - I actually cropped off a bit from the bottom since the front buffalo's horns were there and drawing the eye away from what I wanted to show.
I like the idea a lot and the image works fine for me instead of the fact that a better head turn would be much better. I love the OOF BG but with enough details to identify the typical shape of the horn of a buffalo. That is great because adds a lot of interest to the image because buffaloes are part of the "habitat" of this species. Very well seen, way to go!
I think this is an excellent image, and having an idea to capture something different is how I try to approach my photography as much as possible.
The clear well defined foreground, and the composition is excellent. Head angles might mean something in avian portraiture, especially when there is nothing going on, but it would actually be a negative here. Obviously the oxpecker is up to something.
The pleasantly blurred background, with enough information that I would guess a cape buffalo, is IMO the most extraordinary aspect of the image. Well done! regards~Bill
Buffalo over your shoulder
Reply With Quote
