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Young female Ibex on the fork of Disteis (2,200 m), near the top of the Jof di Montasio (Friuli, Italy). The occasion was a trip with my third son (I have 4 ......
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Young female Ibex on the fork of Disteis (2,200 m), near the top of the Jof di Montasio (Friuli, Italy). The occasion was a trip with my third son (I have 4 ...), a trip that had to be quiet and without surprises and instead has turned into one of the most exciting days of my life. The photo was taken leaning on the crest of the saddle: these beautiful animals had fun running on the edge of the ledges ...
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96 Comments | Report
barbarabrock Platinum
 
barbarabrock October 20, 2013
Awesome shot.....the look back....that tiny ledge. Great.
stefanozocca
stefanozocca November 21, 2013
thanks!
photosue50
 
photosue50 November 21, 2013
Wow, great shot
stefanozocca
stefanozocca November 21, 2013
:-)
hsis4us2
 
hsis4us2 November 21, 2013
Wow great shot!
scruffyherbert PRO+
 
scruffyherbert November 21, 2013
This is a belting shot. Absolutely fantastic and well done for being a finalist. Great, great shot.
ronsummers
 
ronsummers November 21, 2013
Just being there would be enough, AMAZING!!
SherranAndersen
 
SherranAndersen November 21, 2013
Congrats.
Firtreemanor
 
Firtreemanor November 22, 2013
You could wait a lifetime for a shot like that... Glad you didn't have too! Nice Job!
jleiweke
 
jleiweke November 22, 2013
Congrats!
tsambaproductions
 
tsambaproductions November 23, 2013
congrats
arjun
 
arjun November 24, 2013
Congrats
AndyIves
 
AndyIves November 24, 2013
Stunning shot. As an inexperienced mountaineer I have been fortunate enough to have seen a few shots like this of Chamois but never been quick enough to operate with the camera. The Ibex seems to be saying "Follow me if you dare"
raegi
 
raegi November 24, 2013
Fantastic Shot!
dawnwiesinger
 
dawnwiesinger November 25, 2013
I love the this capture, right place and right time. If this was a "happy accident" its a great example of the rule of thirds. You might try doing a little more post processing it would help give this image a little more impact. Good Job here!
gopalakrishnan
 
gopalakrishnan November 27, 2013
great capture
jleiweke
 
jleiweke November 27, 2013
Congrats!
SherranAndersen
 
SherranAndersen November 27, 2013
Congrats.
sskyrm PRO+
 
sskyrm November 27, 2013
Stunning shot--congratulations!
AlanJakarta
 
AlanJakarta November 27, 2013
Fabulous capture. Congratulations on being a Runner-up.
BlackHybrid
 
BlackHybrid November 28, 2013
Great shot
elfiedwards
 
elfiedwards November 29, 2013
Congrats!!! well done, super image
jamesvcase
 
jamesvcase November 29, 2013
stunning and absolutely beautiful exposure.. and congrats an the win
Arzhtatiana
 
Arzhtatiana November 29, 2013
Nice capture! Congratulations!
jefflaidlaw
 
jefflaidlaw November 29, 2013
I dont even want to think about where you had to be standing for this one. Great shot, well done
brentmorris
 
brentmorris November 29, 2013
Amazing shot. congratulations
jojoxena
 
jojoxena November 29, 2013
Congratulations on your excellent photo!
nystylist79
 
nystylist79 December 02, 2013
truly amazing shot..... speechless!
scottwneal
 
scottwneal December 05, 2013
Fantastic!
mclaybaugh PRO+
 
mclaybaugh December 07, 2013
I would have been so excited that I would have fallen out of the saddle. Congrats
Vishwas
 
Vishwas December 08, 2013
Awesome Catch Like It
mogieg123
 
mogieg123 December 09, 2013
Awesome capture! Love it!
dianarainbow Platinum
 
dianarainbow December 10, 2013
Amazing pic!
EWLphotography
 
EWLphotography December 17, 2013
fantastic shot
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots January 03, 2014
Amazing creatures! Congrats.
kunalbais
 
kunalbais January 07, 2014
Lovely
Anita_1962
 
Anita_1962 April 14, 2014
Best shot EVER!!!!
stefanozocca
stefanozocca April 15, 2014
Thanks Anita!
ArtQ
 
ArtQ July 02, 2014
Congrats on your finalist award.
Karine
 
Karine July 03, 2014
I hope it did not fall down! Fantastic capture!
OUTTHERE
 
OUTTHERE July 03, 2014
nice!! the goat looks concerned. lol
CaptureLifeUK
 
CaptureLifeUK July 04, 2014
Outstanding photograph, I have to disagree with a previous comment about adding more post processing to add impact! It's an ibex on the edge of a mountain ledge it's got all the visual impact it needs and then some exactly as it is!
Superb work and well deserved runner up and finalist positions...
CG
 
CG July 07, 2014
Fantastic capture
kathleenweetman
 
kathleenweetman August 12, 2014
Stunning and needs no additions..it is the complete package.The shot is amazing in its composition Stefano. I love it and have voted...good luck kathleen
susanplss-bryant Platinum
 
susanplss-bryant August 12, 2014
Amazing shot! hope your rock ledge was a little wider. Awesome
ernestosantos
 
ernestosantos November 15, 2014
awesome shot! congrats. agree with previous comnents in that for me this one looks best without heavy post.
sallymac4
 
sallymac4 November 18, 2014
Wow! Talk about living on the edge / ledge! Great Shot!
Opticalimpressions
 
Opticalimpressions November 22, 2014
Speaks volumes
mercedesdiodati
 
mercedesdiodati December 10, 2014
It is called "outstanding equilibrium"... :)
lmsusin
 
lmsusin December 10, 2014
WOW Great shot! So precarious one wrong step and .....
artifarti2012
 
artifarti2012 December 13, 2014
Outstanding image...I love everything about it...the light and the hazy background...and how you have captured this beautiful animal balancing where it is....but it's that 'look' that I love the most, it's almost saying 'Are you still there?' Stunning! :-)
itsnickelwell
 
itsnickelwell December 19, 2014
This is amazing! Not only the image but the story it tells! Beautiful capture Stefan!
ReneeBlake
 
ReneeBlake December 20, 2014
Wonderful capture !
ReneeBlake
 
ReneeBlake December 20, 2014
Wonderful capture !
janland PRO+
 
janland December 20, 2014
Fantastic capture! Beautiful composition and detail! Congrats!
KeithBannerman Ultimate
 
KeithBannerman December 26, 2014
Great shot
WileKyK
 
WileKyK February 03, 2015
What a stunning capture!
Bholtze
 
Bholtze February 04, 2015
Amazing!!
PatricaK
 
PatricaK February 07, 2015
This is such an amazing photo. The look on his/her face. Great shot. Thanks for sharing your story.
gerrytaylor
 
gerrytaylor February 13, 2015
Are you sure you were not a goat in your previous life!!!! To have captured this would have taken some skill, determination. Thanks for the photo.
jambajim8
 
jambajim8 February 26, 2015
Amazing Shot! I like the use of the Rule of Thirds in this!
DeniseBeverly
 
DeniseBeverly February 27, 2015
This shot reminds me of an old favorite book, Hinds Feet on High Places. excellent shot, I may have commented before, I cannot remember.
sashac
 
sashac March 03, 2015
You should really consider the "Standing on the Edge" photo contest!!!!
MRueffer PRO+
 
MRueffer March 05, 2015
Wow!!!
stuartslimp
 
stuartslimp March 08, 2015
This is incredible!
TraceElementsPhotography
 
TraceElementsPhotography March 14, 2015
This photo is deserving of winning the "Standing on the Edge" contest! I can't imagine any other photo better and more appropriate for the subject than this! So happy for you to have had this opportunity.
mindaugas
 
mindaugas March 31, 2015
nice
Kristnccsu
 
Kristnccsu April 16, 2015
They're so rugged. Such harsh climates and they prevail
geoffclark
 
geoffclark April 21, 2015
Nice work
PayalKundu
 
PayalKundu May 24, 2015
omg this is incredible!!!!!
worth every bit of the huge risk that u took.
HelenRea
 
HelenRea June 03, 2015
Amazing capture...very nice work Stefano! :)))
modelmeemaw Platinum
 
modelmeemaw August 20, 2015
oh wow...I would never get this shot, too afraid of heights! It really is outstanding!
Bazz PRO+
 
Bazz August 20, 2015
Amazing capture!
kellrhettamelia
 
kellrhettamelia August 20, 2015
Awesome shot! Like hes saying "oh hey, hi!"
MrMessy667
 
MrMessy667 August 21, 2015
Incredible shot
nina050
 
nina050 August 21, 2015
Incredible capture!
thrimage
 
thrimage August 21, 2015
how the ****.. These things must have wings.. Tip one: Never follow a mountian goat.
images-byramona
 
images-byramona August 21, 2015
Yikes! Amazing shot of an amazing animal!
DinoUK
 
DinoUK August 24, 2015
Congratulation Stefano! Amazing phototure.
Byronfairphotography PRO+
 
Byronfairphotography September 07, 2015
Very cool shot
eelcovanroden PRO+
 
eelcovanroden October 18, 2015
Congratulations with your Challenge win!!
DISCOVERABRUZZO_dot_IT
 
DISCOVERABRUZZO_dot_IT March 23, 2016
eccezionale questa!
18ricco Platinum
 
18ricco April 01, 2016
if he is there where r u standing n on what????? Great shot!!!
Nitka
 
Nitka April 04, 2016
Wow! What a shot! Amazing!...:-) Congratulations on your latest win! well deserved..:-)
laureenofscotts
 
laureenofscotts May 04, 2016
Voted for this picture!
oliviagalls Premium
 
oliviagalls October 16, 2016
This is a stunning image, and perfectly portrays animals in their environment, amazing image!
bertfarmergilesmartin
 
bertfarmergilesmartin December 03, 2016
congrats, great shot
tracyburroughsbrown Premium
 
tracyburroughsbrown December 03, 2016
Awesome photo and awesome story!
sharilee
 
sharilee December 18, 2016
INCREDIBLE SHOT!
gogosviewbug
 
gogosviewbug January 27, 2017
Fantastic Shot!!!!
kathyk_abq
 
kathyk_abq June 01, 2017
Awesome capture! :)
janet5192000
 
janet5192000 April 02, 2018
Fantastic photo!
MRueffer PRO+
 
MRueffer August 16, 2018
What a great trip that must have been! I hope he’s not stuck!
oskarkunt
 
oskarkunt January 28, 2022
Youtube > "Ibex defies gravity" // Thanks for all the additional information!
HuaweiP30Lite
 
HuaweiP30Lite May 14, 2022
Speaking of the cliff hanger!
JanLiz PRO
 
JanLiz August 31, 2022
????
briangillies PRO+
 
briangillies February 10, 2023
Don’t look down!!
HuaweiP30Lite
 
HuaweiP30Lite May 29, 2023
Speaking of being on the ledge!
Grampy Premium
 
Grampy November 11, 2023
Amazing shot!!
stefanozocca
stefanozocca November 12, 2023
Thanks!
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

The fork of Disteis, about 2,200 meters near the top of the Jof di Montasio in Friuli, Venezia Giulia, Italy / 46°25?N 13°25?E

Time

Early afternoon.

Lighting

The day was presented immediately with low clouds and a little sun. I waited a few rays famished in the clouds to take the picture.

Equipment

Nikon D800, Nikkor AI 135 mm XIF settings: 1/1600 s, f/8, ISO 400 I want to point out that this is a 70s lens, not an autofocus.

Inspiration

This shot was the highlight of a beautiful day up on the mountains with my 13-year-old son Pietro. On that saddle, I knew I had the opportunity to admire these beautiful creatures — the Ibex. I decided to take my son with me to let him experience the thrill of meeting these wild animals in their natural environment. The ibex were particularly numerous and “sociable”. Naturally, I had with me all my camera equipment already. These animals walked towards the edges fast—without fear nor uncertainty, making everything look easy and absolutely not dangerous. But it was, and I was afraid for them! As soon as I realized this, I began to take pictures with my trusty Nikon and the fantastic AI 135mm. Prodded by my son, I safely positioned myself on the edge of the ravine so I could capture the ibex balancing on the narrow ledge above the abyss. Just as I was framing an ibex a few meters from me in the viewfinder, the ibex turns to me and stares at me—as if to check if I was following! That was the magic moment of the shot, and I thank Mother Nature for serving this moment up to me on a silver platter, and for allowing me to spend an unforgettable day in the company of my son.

Editing

The only post-production treatment I did was to slightly increase the contrast and brightness to reduce the effect of haze.

In my camera bag

My Nikon D800, and 3 Nikkor AI lens: 24mm 2,8 - 135mm f2,8 - 300mm f4,5. A monopod is always with me.

Feedback

One of the things that I can recommend though is to carefully observe the behavior of the subject, to understand the best spot to portray them. That day, I took about fifty pictures of the ibex, but only one has left its mark, and it was one that more that I studied and tried. For the rest, I am a very “instinctive” photographer, and very sensitive to the type of light that is created at certain times of the day, or in the presence of particular weather conditions. Clouds are fundamental to me, for example.

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