Wildlife - 1st Place Winner

This is one of the best wildlife images I have seen in a while. Bravo!

Guy

I agree with Guy. Spectacular! The dusty haze with repetitive horns is a great bg to the action in the fg.

This is outstanding Roman! While the image does it great justice I cannot imagine standing there and watching this. Great job.

Amazing! There are lots of photos of gnus crossing rivers, but this one stands above all others I have seen. Very well done. IMHO the detail or lack of in the BG helps to set this image apart from other photos of river crossings. In a way it reminds me of Robert Batemens African paintings. Thanks for sharing, hope you have more to share.

Spectacular image Roman! I love the light here, that really makes the shot unique for me.I also am amazed how much DOF you managed to achieve with this much FL.

Wow! That's about all I can say...Wow. Awesome action, the herd fading into the dust, the bg animals looking on as the leaders plunge forward... there's no end to the microstories within this image.

Get the feeling of Deja vu Roman?

I really like this image, as to me, it contains all the chaos, drama, urgency and that leap of fear.

The dust churned up by the impending queuing Wildebeest wanting to cross really adds to the image, giving a nice layering look that has been lacking I feel in some of the other images posted on here and is an integral part to an image like this IMHO. It is incredible to think the strong urge these animals have to cross, knowing of a possible impeding doom is likely, with the submerged crocs, drives them to this, only to be repeated a few months on again.

Not sure what time of day this was shot at, looks late afternoon, but wonder if it could do with a little more punch, WDYT, although happy as presented, just a thought.

TFS
Steve

Great action. This really does a nice job of capturing the spectacle of the event.

Max

Very good composition! It is always difficult to compose an image of such a chaotic group. You've done it well.

A very dramatic scene and strong image!!! Along with the single animal leaping, I like the way the rest of the herd fades off into the dusty background. Excellent Work Roman

Ken Archer

Roman, I really like the hurried and anxious emotion this evokes. I also love the processing, so as a result I am really curious about the steps you took on this one? Also, wondering if the processing had a part to play in the DOF you achieved here, because at 687mm and f/8, this seems to have much more DOF than I would expect (unless it is a decent size crop of course). Anyhow, whatever, your technique, I love it, because this turned out spectacular.

Wow, that's amazing! The wildebeast jumping, the dust in the background, the lighting, the splashing water...it all ties together to make one amazing image. Congrats!

Spectacular scene. It looks a rather painterly - is that the rendering of the lens, or your post processing, or due to the dust in the air (or combination of the latter two)? No matter what, it looks great!

EPIC scene, Roman. extremely well composed, reminds me of an old master's painting.

Hi Roman,

What's not to like here? The combination of chaos and art here produces a very compelling image. I like the dusty, moody background combined with the clarity in the portion of the image that includes the splashing. But for me the jumper in the middle of the frame is what takes this image to a higher level. Really well done...pleasure to look at...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Thanks all! to answer a few questions posed by Kurt and Basil......this is full frame. As I was looking through the lens I did feel the dust gave it the painterly look and the depth. Minimal post porcessing included some levels adjustments, a shadow highlight pass, and some selective dodging and burning.....pretty much it. This was late light through a thin cloud layer......so I think that helped with the tones a lot too! I don't think I could have asked for better conditions!
Thanks again all and glad you are enjoying the image as it is fast becoming one of my favorites from my tour......but I still have 70 or so gigs to go!

Superb shot Roman, love everything about this. Terrific action.

Gary.

Iconic event, beautifully rendered. Terrific. Love the mid-air leap and the frothy water.

An action packed frame with so many wonderful elements, attributing to the success of image...
Jagdeep Rajput

Excellent capture!

Wow! what a capture! Lots of emotion and chaos!! This almost looks like a painting.
Congrats on the capture and being able to witness this event!

Stunning! Photo of a lifetime, can't get much better than that.

Really nice - love the buffalo in mid-air and the fading sets of horns in the BG.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Roman, this one was a no brainer IMO. Congrats on the WP!

Thanks you all! It is an honor on being chosen for the WP too!

Such a beautiful shot, almost like a painting. I really like the way you were able to capture the wildebeest in the center of the image in mid-jump. It adds a lot to the overall scene. Congrats on the WP.

Roman,
congrats on the WP. A stunning image.

Congrats Roman!

Talk about capturing that decisive Moment Roman! One of the best wildlife action shots I've ever seen!

Congrats on the WP!

Hi Roman WOW!! A masterpiece! Congrats on a well desered WP
Albert Darmo
Canada

One of the most epic migrations on this planet, I have seen this several times on TV but to witness this in real life would be amazing. Congratulations on your weekly pick, excellent image all the way around.

Excellent timing and the light really adds to the drama!

Roman: I don't get over in this gallery very often but this is compelling. Spectacular shot. >=))>

Thanks once again everyone!

Spectacular!, really like the overall comp

I will enjoy seeing this image everyday when I log in to NPN for whole month. I actually would enjoy seeing this every day on my wall. Seeing it as one image or going through and looking at every gnus tell you a story. Well done Roman and congrats on WP and photo of the month.

I'm glad you got POTM, otherwise i might have missed this--fantastic shot, love the stop motion. Congrats!

Wow !!

Simply amazing. Really gets my wanna go working. Thank you for this image.

Thanks again all! A great honor to receive the POTM!

Congrats on the 2011 ist place win!
Wonderul light, action, and vantage point.
Sandy

Hello Roman

CONGRATS... A Truly amazing Image, Well worth the awards !!

Bill

The light and fog in this image are stunning. Congratulations on your award.

Amazing painterly effect. Congrats.

Thanks All! It is truly a great honor to get the EPA award with all the great talent here!

Congrats Roman, Well deserved.

Very cool shot Roman, congratulations on the Wildlife 1st place winner, way to go.