Thirsty Foal

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 9, 2011502 views16 comments

I often try to capture scenes in a 'different' way (don't we all?

)...and oftentimes it is hard as you only have limited time to spend with a subject and there's always that debate in your mind on whether to try something out-of-the-box and risk losing the 'safe' or 'stock' shot that your gallery has been missing for a while.

On this occasion we were on a trip to the Kruger National Park, South Africa, in December 2009 and happened to come across a herd of Plains Zebra on an overcast day. There was a young foal sticking very close to its mother, mostly staying behind her and out-of-sight photographically. At some point he decided to have a suckle, and I grabbed my chance by framing tighter.

There's always this debate about 'eye contact'. I feel that sometimes it isn't necessary to have eye contact to have an effective wildlife image...this is one such a case IMHO.

This was always going to be a B&W image from the moment I clicked the shutter. Would love your honest thoughts as I know it won't be everyone's cup-of-tea

Techs:
Nikon D300s with Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR @ 400mm
f4.0 @ 1/1000 SS @ ISO-800
This was my first 'test-drive' of Nikon gear back in 2009...though I officially made the wholesale switch to Nikon last week.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on August 10, 2011 at 12:52 AM

love it! the child shows earnestness and i think you captured it well here. the patterns of the mother play nicely as well. nice shot.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 10, 2011 at 1:23 AM

The risk of getting out of the box paid off very well Morkel, this is a wonderful image imho. There is a strong abstract quality but the subject material is rooted in that most basic of all needs - getting fed. Great use of negative space at the bottom too, contrasts well with the strong pattern in mom. The fact that it was all done on Nikon equipment makes it all so much more special.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 10, 2011 at 6:38 AM

Outstanding image! This is really special.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on August 10, 2011 at 6:43 AM

I think it is a beautiful shot....Did you get off the Jeep ? or was the subject far enough..... It is a difficult shot, but anyway it is beautiful.
Hussain

Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments

Comment posted by Adam Seward on August 10, 2011 at 7:01 AM

Definitely my cup of tea, Morkel, this is a stunning shot.

Registered on October 18, 2007, 6 Posts, 14 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM

Thanks a lot for the generous comments guys!

This was not too far from my vehicle but the topography of the land enabled me to get quite a low perspective here.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 10, 2011 at 12:55 PM

I really like your concept Morkel. The overall composition is well thought out and is visually strong. Yet, my attention is drawn to the lovely stripe pattern of the mare mainly; IMO what is supposed to be the focal point (the foal peeping from underneath) is not not strong enough, probably due to the absence of an eye.

Sorry to hear you sold your photographer's soul to that other brand...

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

Comment posted by Christine Jackson on August 10, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Morkel,

What a great shot!!! This little guy is precious--love the expression. Excellent story-telling image here. Well Done!

Chrisie Jackson
Denver, Colorado

Registered on September 19, 2010, 20 Posts, 244 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on August 10, 2011 at 3:00 PM

Hi Morkel, I like the tones, textures & POV on this one, but agree with Vincent about the eye not being visible sadly, perhaps in shadow, but as they say, perhaps that is in an ideal world.

The only curved ball I might throw in would be, and as you have a hard edge and an easy BKG, how would it look without the rear leg in the BKG as it is the only item not in the same tonal range? Mad perhaps Morkel?

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on August 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM

Very unique perspective! The BW looks great and I like the mouth on the young zebra.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on August 11, 2011 at 7:23 AM

This is not my cup of tea, Morkel, but just the entire jug! Love it all the way!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on August 11, 2011 at 8:13 AM

HI Morkel,

Well, I think you accomplished your goal of getting something a "different way"!

Well done. The composition works for me and my eyes went to the head of the youngster right away. In a small way I wish the legs of the young one weren't visible, tho' this is obviously a biological impossibility! If this were mine I would probably experiment with pushing the whites whiter - with the goal of creating an even more graphic/posterized look. I think the result might be interesting...tho' not sure it would work (just an experiment!).

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 11, 2011 at 4:28 PM

Very interesting and creative approach, I like the composition as is, something different but draws you into the image at the same time. It would of been nice to have the eye contact but for me this image has a very strong appeal. Well seen and well done.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 11, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Thanks for the constructive feedback guys! Really makes one think...

Vincent - I hear you...I think it will be tricky to get an 'eye' from this angle if you want the 'suckling' motion. I think I have one with the foal peeping through but without the puckering lips, which is what drew me to this one...

Steve - do you mean I should attempt to 'remove' the leg?

Brad - interesting idea, I like a high-key B&W image probably more than the next guy, so will play around a bit

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 13, 2011 at 7:28 AM

Great vision and photo Morkel, this is a unique and beautiful photo