Elephant and calf

[Austin Thomas]

I thought I would share this one with you to gauge your valued opinion.

Personally, I think I have found an image that I could use on the back cover of a coffee table book that I might produce for friends and family one day.

It breaks a lot of rules and has no eyes on which to focus, so if you hate it please say so. I won't be offended.

If you prefer to see some more "conventional" wildlife images from Africa then please click HERE

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Canon 1DMK4, 500mm +1.4x, f5.6, 1/1600, ISO400

Cheers

Austin

[Steve Kaluski]

Actually Austin, seriously I could see this working as a back cover, as it's a rather 'gentle' image. Nothing really more I think one can say about this shot. But I hope many will...

Steve

[Hilary Hann]

Austin, I have used a similar image on the back of one of my books as I personally think they work very well for that purpose. I'm not at all fussed by lack of eyes as I feel (my opinion only) that as wildlife photographers we shouldn't always be focussed on the relationship the animals have with us, via the eyes, rather on interactions they have with each other and the environment. But I know that I'm a solitary voice and the general viewing public love to see eyes and imagine that the wildlife is talking to them alone.

But for the back of a book, I'd say go for it as it says everything about the end of something which you don't have to put into words.

As for the photo itself, ideally I would love to see both ears flared evenly. Love the dof and the amount of space around the elephants leaves plenty of options for cropping depending on the final layout of the book.

[Steve Canuel]

Great idea for a back cover. No problem with lack of eye/facial contact. Ideally would like to see the baby more straight away similar to the mom, seems just a touch unbalanced.

[Ofer Levy]

Vey nice idea! I agree with Steve regarding the baby's pose.

[Ken Watkins]

Austin,

An interesting shot for any use, the youngster not being symetrical is the main problem and it is also looks a little soft in comparison to mum, probably resulting from the fine downy hair.

[Rachel Hollander]

Austin - I have also done a similar shot, opening a photo book of my first trip with a line of elephants heading towards me and ending it with the same line of elephants moving away once they crossed the road. Don't they call this the tourist view? I like the detail and texture you have captured on the mother. The others have covered the other nits.

TFS,
Rachel

[Todd Frost]

Would work great for your back cover. Agree re: little ones position, but that is minor. Very well done.
TFS
Todd

[Morkel Erasmus]

I like it Austin - especially for its intended purpose...maybe the calf needed to be in line with the mother in an ideal world...but heck, it's already breaking the "eye-contact" rule, why not the "symmetry" rule

[Vivaldo Damilano]

I had the same idea on my last trip to the bush, took the rear end of zebra's. I think this is a very eye catching image, really cool shot. Great comp and space on the left hand side TFS