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Thread: Ear Splitting Silence

  1. #1
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default Ear Splitting Silence

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    It is past 7pm and I am watching the silhouette of a Spotted Hyena in the distance, waiting for her bellyful howl to fill the vast space. I keep wondering why I find such profound pleasure in the Kalahari, and the only answer I come up with is " I hunger to see these things in vain at home ". In my mind, the word "happiness" has become synonymous with the word "Kalahari" and my dream is to capture images that are as beautiful, as poetic, as exciting and powerful as this wonderful land. I have learnt how to love this place but still busy learning how to paint it, so here is my humble attempt at describing this magical hour...

    Nikon D4
    Nikon 500 F4
    ISO 800
    F5.6
    1/3200s

    Thank you for viewing and kind comments on my previous images, I truly appreciate it.

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    I'd say you've achieved you goal with this shot Gabriela.

    The colours just scream 'African sunset' and the way they graduate is lovely. I can imagine it looks even better in print as I imagine the blending of the tones would be even smoother.

    Maybe if you'd been able to move slightly to our right then the shape of the overhanging tree may flowed with the lines of the Hyenas back, it's nit picking but a shame the branch is touching him.

    However, it's the kind of shot that, if it were mine, would give me a little smile each time I looked at it. These environmental style shots always make me want to stare longer than even the best portrait.

    Mike

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Wonderful sunset colours and composition here Gabriela

    with the overhanging tree framing nicely, I do wish there was just a touch of separation between the low branch and your subject, I gather you waited for a while to see if that was going to happen?

    TFS


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    Lovely colors, lovely sunset. The hyena posed for you. Marc is right, a little more separation between the hyena and the low branch would be ideal. Loi

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    Gabriela, your words are as beautiful as the image itself. Breathtaking!

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela - I looked at this earlier this afternoon from work but wanted to wait until I was home and looking on calibrated screen to comment. Love the sunset colors and the richness of them. My thoughts were the same as the others - a little bit of separation between the hyena and the bush would be ideal.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Gabriela -- another fantastic image , i liked the caption too along with the intro . i too agree with the above regarding some separation of the branch , nonetheless this is a beautiful silhouette , the colours have come out exceedingly well .

    TFS !

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    Beautiful African sky Gabriela can almost feel the warmth, bet it was a magical moment you. Real pleasure to view.

    Keith.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you so much, friends!

    I cannot agree with you more about that bush, but it will have to stay. By the time we got to a better spot this lady turned away. Then a youngster pitched up but he was small, he was half buried in the grass. So this is the best I got:)

    I am extremely happy with your comments and observations, they show a great deal of thoughtfulness as well as understanding for what I was trying to achieve. And so grateful for your time to view, my heartfelt thanks to you all.

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    You are so eloquent about a place that inspires so much silence and contemplation
    Lovely mood here and the silhouette outline is crisp and clear. I do agree that more separation would have been ideal?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Allright, here you go... cloned the bush out, it took me ages...I am not in the cloning business anymore but I did it to please ye all A rough job but anyway...Morkel, what say you? Better?

    Nite everyone, 1 am here, wishing you a great day tomorrow!
    Gabriela Plesea

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    The best wildlife images are the ones that 'make you feel things' and this just oozes feeling imo. The colours are exquisite and even the Hyena has posed for you (seems to also be enjoying the beauty of the moment)

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    I'm a total sucker for silhouette images and this is a great one...

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you Basil and Dale, your comments are very encouraging, appreciate it
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, good to see you had your 'artistic' hat on here.
    Nicely framed and processed, you certainly captured the moment well here. Personally I think you could have easily dropped the ISO and shot f/4 here, nice one.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you, and welcome back Steve

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Hi Gabriela,
    I haven’t been on the forum for quite some time and the first thing that I saw when I opened it tonight is your image. Amazing shot! It makes me love Africa even more. I haven’t been to the Kalahari yet, but hopefully this, too will happen.
    I like the original post better and my favorite thing is the way the hairs of the hyena are outlined on half her back.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Kalin

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  22. #18
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dear Kalin,

    My apologies for replying so late. Love your comments and observations, appreciate every word:)

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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