Elephant Sized Tooth Pic

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 21, 2011395 views11 comments

Even Elephants need to dental care. They just use tooth picks the size of people. This one appeared out of the dense brush right next to us in Addo NP in South Africa. Other than the oversized tooth pick I like the way this shows how even an elephant can disappear in the thick bush.

For all those wildlife enthusiasts who think Africa is too far, too expensive or who don't like the idea of guided game drives all I have to say is go to South Africa! Our trip last year was a revelation and we can't wait to get back. It's affordable, safe, has great infrastructure, a full range of accommodations, nice people, great food and best of all you can do it all yourself. No guides, no tour groups, nobody to do all the work for you. Of course, you can do all that as well but it's more fun IMO to do it yourself.

Any comments and suggestions are always appreciated! Thanks for looking.

Canon EOS 40D
Canon 18-135 @ 48mm
F5, 1/640 sec
ISO 400

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 21, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Nice catch and fine detail in the skin. You captured interesting behaviour.
Extremely bright here, and would benefit from some serious darkening and contrast, and boosting the sats a bit as well.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on August 21, 2011 at 9:16 PM

Thanks Sandy for the recommendations, it was very, very bright that day and I didn't have time to set up a shot. Had to squeeze off a few then back up to give him room to cross the road. How's this one?

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 21, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Much better! Might even take a bit more..
Looking forward to more of your images!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 22, 2011 at 12:24 AM

Indeed, it keeps on surprising me how well these can disappear after a few steps into the bushes. I like the 'toothpick'. The repost looks definitely a bit better Joe. A good example that photo's taken in harsh light need to be processed with care to prevent that typical harsh light look.

Do you get commissions from the South African Tourism Department; free entrance fees to parks or something Joe?

I agree SA is a fantastic holiday destination. I must add though that well trained guides can add a lot to a wildlife experience, particularly for people who have little field experience. Also wildlife photographers can benefit greatly from a good guide. On top of that I have seen many inexperienced self-drive tourists do incredibly silly moves, even in Addo, and it surprises me that not more accidents happen, especially with elephants.

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

Comment posted by Joe James on August 22, 2011 at 8:24 AM

Hi Vincent - thanks and you are absolutely correct about the guides. They can also get you to places you can't get to on your own and are the better option IMO for the casual tourist. What I really like about SA is that you can choose which isn't the case in many other places. We liked the self drive option for the daytime and went on guided sunset and night drives with SANPARKS guides after the restcamp gates closed. Next time we're going to Kruger and will take a number of guided bush walks which will be great as well.

Regarding your note on crazy tourists....I think they should make everyone go on one guided drive before letting them loose on the roads. We witnessed a number of incredibly stupid things from people getting out of their cars to trying to "herd" elephants off the road in tiny little compact cars. I hear Kruger takes that up several notches....should be fun.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on August 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM

nice catch. would love to have been there.
I agree with Sandy. This is still way too bright IMO. I know you had harsh light, but with the "digital darkroom", I think you could make the light just right. This would give the guy more depth...also, would bring out the great leaf shadows on his face.

I know you wanted to show how an elephant can blend into the bush, as well as his "dental hygiene".. But IMO, the real subject is the cool behavior you caught. I can't say I would have noticed the limb without your pointing it out.
Maybe the subject would be better seen, if he stood out a bit from the background. Perhaps, a little vignetting...

this DOES make me want to go to South Africa!

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 22, 2011 at 3:15 PM

Too bright by far, even the second post. Wonderful behavior shot, though. The way you have documented it is very attractive as well.

I so agree on the guided shoot if one doesn't know the territory or the animals. There is such a terrible disconnect between otherwise smart urban folk and the reality of nature, it is a wonder more accidents don't happen.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on August 22, 2011 at 7:53 PM

Thanks folks for the great feedback! Here's one last shot at darkening things up as much as I think I can take it without making the image look a bit unreal. I also tweaked the SAT up just a hair. Not sure how to blur the background and do it realistically. I've tried with other images and my attempts at it always come out really bad so I'll stick with the basics. Thanks again!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 22, 2011 at 11:39 PM

Nice image. at that focal length you could have almost petted this guy. Good thing he was occupied with the dental hygienist. It must have been a thrill.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on August 23, 2011 at 7:15 AM

I like something in between the second and third reposts, Joe. Hard to please some people!
You said "For all those wildlife enthusiasts who think Africa is too far, too expensive or who don't like the idea of guided game drives all I have to say is go to South Africa! Our trip last year was a revelation and we can't wait to get back. It's affordable, safe, has great infrastructure, a full range of accommodations, nice people, great food". I have been to South Africa (Kruger, Omfolozi, and St Lucia) as well as to Botswana, but in my opinion, you can't beat Kenya and Tanzania for the clear shots you can get without distracting and intruding bushes and trees.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on August 24, 2011 at 10:11 PM

That is one big bull! Like how he is coming through the trees. Maybe just a little darker and some saturation.

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