Digging for Water
Oct, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the dried riverbed inside Kruger National Park, South Africa. We were only about 100 yards from the lodge when we stumbled upon this lone elephant. We watched as he (or she) worked tirelessly to dig through the sand, fill his trunk with water and quench his thirst.Time
This was taken during our first drive of the trip, an afternoon trek that began during the golden hour.Lighting
My goal was to capture the long shadows cast in the sand behind the elephant, giving the viewer a sense of the magnitude of the river bed.Equipment
This was shot with a Fulfilm FinePix HS50EXR, in manual mode. I took several shots, manipulating the F-stop with each one until I captured the balance of light and shadow I was looking for. Exposure time = 1/150 sec. F-stop = f/5. ISO = 200.Inspiration
I think it goes without saying that the inspiration for this photo was the awe of seeing such a majestic animal in its most natural setting, without any regard for us. I was striving to capture the elephant in a way such that one does not see just a two ton mammal, but instead a beautiful creature with a soul. I achieved by capturing the detail of the look in the elephant's eyes, the whiskers on its mouth and spilled water on the cheek.Editing
This photo was actually shot as a JPG. The only post processing was applying 2 level burst effect in iPhoto.In my camera bag
I use a Fulfilm FinePix HS50EXR to take those photos where I really want to capture a moment and elicit an emotional response. I carry two tripods - a Sunpak 4300 Pro and Dynex 58 inch. Both of these are essential for shooting at slower shutter speeds, such as when I am trying to capture the motion of a waterfall. They are also key when you need to hold the camera steady as you zoom in an object in the distance, such as an elephant stopping for a drink. I also carry a polarizing filter and gradual natural density filter as my primary photographic subjects are landscapes.Feedback
When shooting animals, particularly large ones, it is critical to take several shots with different zoom lengths on the subject. The ultimate goal is to create that one image that perfectly balances the sheer magnitude of the creature and the little details that give this specific subject its own personality.
