Matriarch

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 4, 2010260 views9 comments

The matriarch of a herd of elephant (Loxodonta Africana) with several young elephants - Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.

Sorry about not uploading a large file - first time here and I didn't realize...

Photographed from car using tele and bean bag.

Equipment
Nikon D300
Nikkor 300mm f2.8 VR
bean bag
ISO 400
f/5,6
1/640 sec

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 4, 2010 at 8:53 AM

Ingrid, what a wonderful first posting! Welcome to NPN. I am really looking forward to your future participation with more of your images and your commentary & insight on the postings of others! (That is the dynamic that makes this such a great place)

This matriarch is nicely presented and the choice of using the flared ears as the "background" works so well. I love the textures and the warm light (with colored dust?) on her ears and face. The composition looks perfect to my eye, with the non-symmetrical tusks providing accent. Normally one likes to see some reflection or catchlight in the eye and at this size I see the barest hint in her right eye. Perhaps you could selectively process to enhance that glint. I sure would have liked to enjoy this image in the larger size!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Taylor on August 4, 2010 at 11:56 AM

Very nice shot. I like the colours and the close crop you have used
Matt

Registered on July 31, 2010, 5 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on August 4, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Fantastic

Love those glowing ears ! The head seems to reach out to the viewer.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 4, 2010 at 3:31 PM

Very nice composition with some wonderful detail. It would be interesting to compare this composition with a vertical one showing more of the trunk however I like it as posted. Welcome to NPN, very nice first post.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on August 5, 2010 at 7:52 AM

Welcome to NPN!
A terrific picture to start, very different n very creative!
I would have loved to see larger version to really appreciate this frame!
Cheers!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Anderson on August 5, 2010 at 11:54 AM

I like this unique perspective. I especially like using the ears as BG. Good job.

Registered on July 1, 2009, 30 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 5, 2010 at 12:55 PM

Hi Ingrid and welcome to NPN

I cannot believe this image has not yet received more comments.

This is fantastic work, I absolutely love it (and actually am quite envious...

). This has a great artistic feel to it due to the unique, comp, the unique tusks and the lovely coloration. Excellent processing as well. My only wish would be to see a little more detail in those eyes, if it is there at all. Elephant eyes are notoriously difficult to capture though, due to there small size, darkness and long lashes. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work as well as comments.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Srinivasan Periath on August 5, 2010 at 10:11 PM

Wonderful! Looks like a sculpture. I would prefer the url out of the frame or little more subdued ... It is disturbing... Thanks for sharing.

Registered on January 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 21 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on August 9, 2010 at 3:16 PM

excellent:using the ears as bg gives a plus,IMO.

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments