Just an elephantscape

As I said over on that other site... this is just ridiculous. Thanks for posting a large version, I thoroughly enjoyed it I could see a vertical comp working well here too. I don't know how your guides didn't think this was worth looking at for more than a minute or two.. that's got to be one of the most incredible african sights I've ever seen! Just outstanding.

Thanks Floris, I debated going for closer to square/vertical. The weakest part to me is the empty left top corner. My guide was very accommodating and a great guy as the trip went on, its just this was our first day and we were holding up "traffic". Actually the elephants were on the move so we did keep moving to stay ahead of them as well.

Wow great image Paul! It has everything coming together. Love it. Congrats on this one.

What Floris said. Wow! I don't think I've ever seen someone come back from Africa on a guided trip with a better shot than this! Easily my new favorite image of yours!

If this does not get a an EP, then I dunno...
Send it to National Geographic magazine...

Ridiculous is the word!!! Oh My God!! I have never seen anything like this... over the years so many pros have tried and tried to capture Africa...but man you did it. Yes larger version does justice to this heavenly art and this is something I would hand hang on my wall.... regards, Rajeev.

I've seen quite some amazing images from wildlife and moody landscape at the Kilimanjaro. this one sure is among the better ones I've seen. from a running diesel? you couldn't tell the driver to turn the engine off? whoa! that's why (among 1 mio. other reasons) I could never ever in my life go on a guided trip!
georg

Fantastic Paul. As Floris mentioned a veritical comp could be effective as well. This is a winner. That soft light on the elephants just puts this image over the top!

A truly once in a life time capture from this often photographed area in Africa, Paul. The overall detail along with the exceptionally nice white tusks provides an amazing "snap" to the image.

Dang, that's just an incredible image Paul.

this is one of the unique images I have ever seen in last few years. This should get all the accolades and awards. Quite a departure from the typical grad, and ultra saturated stuff. Thanks for posting this. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S, I wish I had taken it. Print it huge and hang it and be proud.

One of the most amazing Kilimanjaro shot's I've seen, all the scenery it's awsome and the light on elephants it's just perfect, congratulations!

paul, i'm pretty amused that we selected to upload kili & ele photos on the same day: more uncanny, perhaps, for me because mine is a shot that was lurking in my scanned folder for some time (took it in 2004 or 2005) and happened to clean it up last week!! this is great but i'm voting for the crop, either square or vertical. well done!

Fantastic Paul, must have been an amazing experience!!

You suck! This is incredible. I would have been bummed that they couldn't stop for the mere 1/30th that it would take to get a steady shot. You've got the pixels to spare, so I vote for a portrait crop.

No wonder the guides didn't stop...nothing to see there...NOT!! HOLY COW, is there anything that screams more "photo opportunity" than this? Amazing catch Paul...I guess coming back with just that shot would have made the trip :)

Easily the most interesting landscape I have seen from Africa!

Awesome shot Paul - one of the best "elephants under Kili" shots I've ever seen. Lots of snow on the mountain (which you don't often see these days), and the light is magnificent!

If I have one nit it's that there isn't quite enough seperation between the elephants (especially the first mother and calf, but also the two on the left). I guess it's the fauna shooter in me! Did you're guide let you take any after this? I can see the elephants being perfectly placed in 20 seconds or so...

Otherwise, this is utterly fantastic Paul, very well done!

Billy

Amazing image, Paul! You captured, and I think I'm not overreacting here, the spirit of the Africa. Wow!

Several have said it all ready but I'm going to say it again.. this is ridiculous!! Absolutely amazing image!!!

This is intense and looking at it almost makes me go dizzy - what a depth. A true masterpiece.

Bloody marvellous (scuse language). It is rare to have a wildlife scene which combines such a delicious landscape image too.

Thanks everyone, it was a great start to the safari and I had a blast. I want to say that the guide was excellent, and I may have needed to be a bit pushier at times, it's just not my personality. Here's a square crop, still about 12mp.

Billy, I know about the separation. I have the almost perfect positioning of them all but its blurred.

Paul,

This is incredible! What a scene! The morning light on the elephants perfectly compliments the alpenglow an Kilimanjaro. I love images like these that are grand landscapes and the animals are carefully placed elements within the scene. Within that genre, this is one of the best!

wow this would be a great photo without the elephants. But with them is over the top, congrats excellant image

A story of survival, community, and sublime beauty...all at once. Great capture! The infant elephant adds much. Wow..I wouldn't regret what you may have missed being hurried along by the guide. For you got something special...what a gift...enjoy. Ken s

Would look great on any wall.

Wow, this is one of the best landscapes/ animalscapes I've seen. Awesome!

Incredible detail. Perfect moment.

This is spectacular! I love the square crop, a tiny bit more could even be trimmed off the bottom IMO. This is a shot I'm sure everyone would love to have captured. Congrats!

Super shot, Paul--looks almost like a prehistoric scene!

Holy Cow! This is at the once in a lifetime level. I know you must have been very happt to get this. I can imagine the feeling you must have had when you experienced it. Good for you!

Chris

Brilliant photo. I love it!

That's a once in a lifetime shot if I've ever seen one. I'd be shocked if National Geographic would turn this down. Absolutely insane shot man.

This image has special meaning for me. I climbed Kili in 2007 and it was a wonderful experience. I would have given my right leg for a shot like this. I didn't get to visit this Park to get the classic view of Kili but I wish i would have. Anyway, besides my feelings, this is an extraordinary travel shot - which i know is very hard to come by - especially on a guided trip. Excellent!!!

Beautiful.

- Dan.

Wow! Awesome Paul, glad you made it back in one piece. This is just stunning, no other way to put it. The light is incredible, the weather and elephants...just stunning.

Good night man, nobody is going to notice that TL corner.

I much prefer the original crop, much better sense of scale.

That is sweet. What a perfect combination of African elements.

Absolutely fabulous photo. The glow on everything puts this over the top. Is that the sweet spot on this lens? I can't believe the dof and sharpness at 7.1!

NG eat your heart out!! Wow, Paul this is nothing less than amazing!

How anyone, even a seasoned guide, would think this is not worth stopping to view let alone photograph, I have no idea. They need a head check IMO.

Wow Paul, way beyond man, I haven't seen somethignlike this before, what a compo and colors, very hard to top this, absolutely no nits here, super work.

Large version=

your best shot by far. Congrats, Paul.

Wow, turn this into a vertical and you have a killer image. It's awesome as is, but cropped really ups the wow factor for me. Great Great catch!

Wow Paul, shot of a lifetime! Belongs in National Geographic for sure!
I also notice that there's not much of the white stuff left on Kilimanjaro. Gotta love global warming!

The square crop feels just right and it lends a unique format to a one of a kind photo. Incredible!

What a spectacular scene Paul!

nice sky, a glowing mountain peak . . . and friggin' elephants! nice . . . .

VERY nice. I hope you can print it huge.

Thanks for all the comments guys,

Now I guess i should just give up photography, if you all say this is the shot of a lifetime. =) I'm gonna see about submitting it to NatGeo since enough of you mentioned it. Now to decide on the crop. Why can't you all agree and make it easier for me.

Thanks again, love this place for the critiques.

perfect evidence to show how the life their. excellent.

Outside of the elephants, the beautiful light on Kilimanjaro, and that beautiful sky...this is a pretty average shot. This really is amazing, a movie director couldn't have staged it any better.

Not sure what to say, I am just in awe of this scene. The elephants add alot of life and drama to the otherwise calm landscape. That drama is repeated by the top cloud. This is a winner photo.

Way to make the most out of this fantastic opportunity. Great shot, Paul.

Congrats, this is fantastic indeed!

Congrats! Did I mention this deserves an EP? - thanks to the moderators to keep my credibility

Once again Paul, congrats for the cover. I love this image.

I'll add another WOW. I am so glad that you were able to get a few sharp images from this amazing photo op! Congrats on the EP & the cover!

An awesome capture. Well deserving as cover material. Congrats.

Congrats Dude!

Thanks guys, I didn't even know. =)

Ditto, Paul, to all of the compliments that you've already received.

Congrats on this, Paul. This is an exceptional image.

Yeah, this shot is just SICK. It's ironic how sometimes the best shots come suddenly, with little or no planning. This is one of the best shots from a safari that I've ever seen.

I hope you are going to be able to salvage enough detail for a decent sized print for capturing this exceptional situation. The three elephants on the right might be the matriarch at center with the baby and mother to the right. Nice how all three including the little one all received some of the warm direct light on those plains. It won't be many years before one won't be able to see that sliver of white in your image of the remaining glacier.

Awesome photo Paul! Congrats on the photo of the month

Paul,
I'm really pleased to be the one of the first to offer my congratulations on Image of The Year. WELL DONE! I missed this image in your initial posting, but now get to see it in all it's glory... What a great story! The elephants seem as though they have the weight of the world on them... slack ears, lowered heads... a decidedly depressed look. With the emotional weight on them, to then have Kilimanjaro over them is wonderfully captured and compelling. The tools and visual vocabulary you've perfected in Florida, have really served you well. Congrats Again!!

Congrats on the EPA, Paul.

Holy cow, this is good Paul. Fauna is used much less than flora in ESS, but as this demonstrates so well it can be just as essential an ingredient. Congrats on the EPA win!

Congratulations on the EPA award! Well deserved.

congrats Paul - a deserving image for sure!

Congratulations, Paul! This is simply outstanding!!!

Wow. That is simply great. It could have worked equally well in the fauna gallery. Congratulations on your EPA.

congrats, this is mindblowingly fantastic...

Hello Paul.

Congrats on the award.

Superb image well seen and taken.

Congratulations, Paul. This is an excellent comp. Way to go.

Congratulations on the EPA win, Paul. A most deserving image.

Congrats Paul
Can't beat a scene like this, just too good.

Paul,

Congratulations on the EPA!

Wow, you managed quite a lot in the short time and unfavorable, hurried conditions. Many congrats on a magnificent image well worthy of the EPA.

Congratulations on the EPA Paul.
You deserve every bit.

So glad to see this as the first place winner, synergistically combining the best of fauna and landscape photography. Congratulations.

Awesome image Paul, Congratulations

Congrats on the 2009 EPA! Wonderful image..
Sandy r

Once in a lifetime shot for me !

Congratulations, Paul. The shot showcases your skill - difficult conditions, quick thinking... you deserve the win. Without question.

Excellent work!