Oryx Face-Off

[Morkel Erasmus]

Our visit to the Kgalagadi fell at the beginning of spring time - and most antelopes were starting to feel each other out for the rut that was brewing.

I liked the feeling this one attained in B&W, both because the light was turning harsh and because it accentuated the action more. I also left a bit of space in here for context.

Your C&C most welcome, as usual...

Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 130mm
f8.0 @ 1/1250 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.3

[Marc Mol]

Love this from a compositional viewpoint, jostling for position.
I would knock down the contrast a tad IMO. Well done!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi mate, I think the central placement works well here, and like the aggressive pose from the Oryx on the left. The kicking of the dust adds to the image too. An animal I would still like to see.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely compo and B/W conversions
Looks like you are loving B/W :D

TFS

[David Fletcher]

Nice one Morkel. Good suggestion from Marc, but otherwise, pretty well done. Be coming to you pretty darn soon for B&W tips. Nice one.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the feedback Marc, Harshad Bhai, Dave & Stu...

@ Marc/Davee - here is a version with the contrast toned down some.

@ Harshad Bhai - thanks I am enjoying the B&W but my quest is exactly that: to find out which images lean themselves to it, and hopefully identify them and learn to shoot in B&W in the field for those shots instead of converting later...

[Harshad Barve]

Nice repost Morkel

[Fabs Forns]

Good choice of image for B&W, composition works well and very nice repost.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Like the repost too and the interaction caught between these two is awesome. Great timing and well composed.

[John Blumenkamp]

I think this works really well in b&w... nice action captured, and I agree the repost looks good. Only thought I have for a mod is maybe cropping slightly from the bottom.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the feedback Judy, John, Fabs & Harshad...
John - your crop suggestion has merit...will try it

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

Thanks for sharing Morkel very nice action shot, did they spar or all show?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Curly...there was a bit of "how's-your-father" but none of the life-threatening action that makes Oryx such a dangerous antelope (many a predator have made the mistake of cornering one against a thorny shrub and ended up being lanced by those rapiers).

I'll post some more in the coming week or so...