A Buffalo Portrait

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 13, 2014339 views16 comments

A Cape Buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) in Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango delta in Botswana.

EOS 5D Mark III - EF500mm f4.0L IS II USM - 1/1600sec @ f4.0 - ISO 640

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 13, 2014 at 12:44 PM

Hi Mario,

Well - this one is certainly an "in your face" shot! Love the horns and the overall darkness of the shot (but see below for more on that). Like with Gary's recent bighorn shot this one oozes with personality - tho' I'm feeling more belligerence and almost defiance here (than in Gary's shot).

I like the sharpness and DoF, but am left wondering if just a touch more shadow detail in a few selected regions might strengthen this shot? I'm thinking the ears, chin, neck and shoulder region. Note that I'm only talking "tweak" - in the range of 0.3 stop only.

Like it - lots!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on January 13, 2014 at 2:47 PM

Outstanding Mario,
This is a very powerful image.
Well done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on January 13, 2014 at 4:18 PM

I knew I liked this image before I even opened it. The sense of the image of the wildebeest coming out of the darkened bottom is really dramatic. Well crafted.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 13, 2014 at 5:17 PM

I too knew this was going to be good when I first saw the small thumbnail. Like Gary's bighorn, this shows so much emotion. And to be honest, that is a big part of what makes an image special. Congrats on a great capture.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on January 13, 2014 at 6:34 PM

I really like the complementary color pallet here, Mario.
I agree with Brads comment on selectively tweaking the shadows a little.
Well done!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 13, 2014 at 11:24 PM

Looks like he's asking "want a piece of this?" Looks like you might have applied a slight vignette? I like the effect. Like Brad I also like the dark and broody general mood that suits the subject to a tee. Nice work!!!

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

Comment posted by Karen Kane on January 13, 2014 at 11:26 PM

Mario - this is just so captivating. I really like the colour palette and lighting/contrast, plus the fact you've framed the subject so nicely. I do agree with the others who suggest that the shadows could be opened - but just a little bit, that darkness also lends itself to the overall mood of the image which is powerful

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 14, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Mario,
I actually like the fact that this is dark and brooding, befits a buffalo very well

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 14, 2014 at 3:42 PM

I find this to be top notch! Yes, one approach would be to have more detail in the shadows, but I think here it adds to the drama and mood to have some of him lost in darkness, creating more emotional impact!

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

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on January 14, 2014 at 4:44 PM

Thank you ALL for the feedback …. Really appreciate it

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Ross Warner on January 15, 2014 at 10:38 PM

Damn those are great looking animals! Great Image.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 20 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 16, 2014 at 1:49 AM

A great close-up portrait of this ornery looking fellow Mario

Perfect background.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 17, 2014 at 4:51 PM

Hello Mario

Outstanding and Powerful!

Beautiful tones and background . I too think some more detail in the shadows could really enhance the overall Power!
But I think only in the ears region and the lower chin.
For me the Forehead area where the horns start are quite light and I find my eye drifting to that light area . If this were my image I would consider lowering the brightness at that area. and think the Mood would be Perfect!!:)

thanks for sharing , an impressive Capture!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Brookhart on January 17, 2014 at 6:15 PM

I love this big "in your face" close-up. The textures rough and wet give me goose bumps. Like everyone has mentioned, I would go after the darker areas a bit. Real feel for the animal, beautiful shot!