Chilled Springbok Vibes

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 31, 2012159 views6 comments

In order to avoid "death by cheetah and lion" in lieu of my recent postings, here's one more "timid"

This Springbok buck was easing into the evening by chewing some grass next to the road in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (July 2010).

I like the depth here showing the dry Nossob riverbed and the typical flora, with the golden light hitting the opposite riverbank.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 100mm
f5.6 @ 1/320 SS @ ISO-1600
full frame as shot

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 31, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Excellent portrait - love the grasses in the mouth, the flowers, bright eye, and the BG bathed in light.
Needs some CCW rotation to level the horizon and the buck.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on February 1, 2012 at 12:18 AM

Nice light and detail on the springbok, and like the open mouth with grass hanging out of it. Does it need a little CCW rotation?

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

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on February 2, 2012 at 3:12 AM

Being in the shade, the diffused light has bought out the subtle colours nicely. Timid maybe, the gazelle still has a great presence in the frame. My fav part is the backlit ears

Agree about the need for rotation, that might improve the composition as well.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 2, 2012 at 10:24 AM

I certainly like the subject and his expression suggests some sort of caption! The exposure seems true, but to my taste the difference between white balances of the shaded foreground and bright background become a distraction and my eye keeps being drawn to the distant brightness. Perhaps if you experimented a bit with slightly warming and brightening only the springbok he would "pop" a bit more and hold the eye.

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on February 7, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Hey Morkel,
Nice details in this and even though the BG does draw the eye a bit.....it looks very natural and isn't too distracting.....so works for me!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 8, 2012 at 2:33 AM

Thanks for the feedback, folks.
Will try Lon's suggestions...

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