I'm actually quite pleased with how this one turned out. For once I haven't blasted the tusks out. Photographed in the Mara North Conservancy, just after the sun had set.
7D; EF300 IS; ISO800; 1/250mm; f6.7
Applied Noise Ninja to the background only. Any comments gratefully received, especially if they help me to better assess the situation next time! (I'm in training!!) :cool:
Hilary, really like this. The thumb nail does not do it justice but the full image is wonderfull. The gazelle (springbok or Thomson's I presume) in the BG adds to the image. I was in Botswana and SA last year and you get plenty of chances to shot elephant but few that give this type of result. Get it printed on a big canvas and hang it somewhere for all to see
Thank you for the comments, much appreciated. I've looked at this many times over the past few months but haven't felt up to processing it until now. Glad I left it as I'm pleased with the final outcome.
Hi Hilary, what a nice elephant shot. Ears are partially flared, lots of detail in the eles skin, and you got a nice low perspective to the shot, perhaps from using the longish lens from far-off as opposed to your giraffe shot:) Also no grass in the way of anything, and nice BG. This has Big Print written all over it.
TFS
Grant
Love that soft light, Hillary. This should make a beautiful print. I would print two versions: one just as you've
posted, and one with the elephant slightly brightened with a curves adj. layer (just the elephant, nothing
else) -- to bring out the details a bit more while preserving the natural, soft light.
Something like this (I'm not suggesting this crop!):
David, I had tried a curves adjustment on the image before posting but not on just the elephant. It had improved the animal (but not the whole image) but I didn't try isolating just the elephant and I don't know why. So thank you for showing me that it would be worth doing. I don't think I was being lazy, just got so far with the curves and didn't pursue it. Definite next step, I agree. Thanks for making the effort with my image.
wonderful shot Hilary - great pose and depth and love the head-turn. ellies work well in B&W in general, so I like Peter's repost but I do love the soft colours in this and I think David's repost has nailed it nicely. print and hang! I'll delete my elephant shot now ;)
Hilary, I really like the quietness of the image. I specifically like the gesture of the elephant, as well as the placement in the frame. I love the soft light, as well. Thank you for sharing it with us.