Give us a kiss!
Rothschild giraffe, last herd surviving, getting affectionate in Kenya.
Rothschild giraffe, last herd surviving, getting affectionate in Kenya.
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Sep, 2013Views
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mairichristie
September 08, 2016
Thank you so much for all your responses and awards. I was so pleased the long lens(600) mm sigma. reached him before he charged off into the trees.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo near Nairobi and Kenya. This is one of the highly endangered Rosthchild giraffes. He seemed to take a liking to the camera and clearly wanted to show me his beautiful grey/blue tongue.Time
This was taken just before darkness descended. It was also a dull day and we had a very stormy, muggy night, but I thought the conditions set off my beautiful subject although he didn't stay around for more than a few seconds. Early morning and just before dusk are the best time for me and good times to catch otters and other shy animals.Lighting
I used available light which is usually best for wildlife as I never go to zoos, I can't bear to see animals confined although I know that is often to preserve the species. I often wonder what other photographers feel when they take wonderful close up shots of lions who cannot live a normal life and often pace round and round in their confinement. Imagine having to live in a little shed with a few feet to walk round every day! In the dark I use a torch focused in front of the animal pointing at the ground so that you do not distress him. Use the maximum settings at which you can ensure good focus.Equipment
I used a Nikon D800 with a 500 mm lens. I had no time to set up a tripod, just stood on a wide base , tucked the elbows in and held my breath.Inspiration
I love taking photos of wild life as well as almost any other interesting subject. The joy of photography is that you are learning all the time. I am fascinated by families of animals and am compiling a book about these at the moment. I even have hyenas looking gentle when they have babies, and the mother lion with her 8day old cub with the other lionesses looking on admiringly , just like the way humans gather round the pram. In this case the father was sitting on a hillock quite a distance away watching every move. My original inspiration for photography came from my father who died when I was 15. When I was 4yrs old he gave me a baby box brownie, I won a prize in amateur photography when I was 13 and received a diaxette 35 mil camera. I never looked back from that day. Now my inspiration comes from the world around and often from the wonderful comments and questions and encouragement I get from this site,Editing
I do a little but like the photo normally to come out of the camera as near as possible to being complete. I love doing abstracts and playing with different effects, but in many cases the subject is beautiful and needs no human enhancement. I don't like over processed water for example but would certainly use a slow shutter speed with waterfalls. If I get that right it should not need motion blur!In my camera bag
I never go out without a camera, even to do the shopping. For that I use a Nikon D5300 with a sigma multi use lens, 70-300mm with an add on macro. If I am going out for the purpose of taking photos and not to a pre-planned subject, I take 2 cameras - Nikon D810 and a selection of lenses, I also take a D7200 with a 600mm lens on it in case I am surprised, eg by a hawk speeding over! I take neutral density filters, a torch, something to lie on in the mud and a good waterproof and of course a tripod. Where I live there can be 4 seasons in one day, so always be prepared.Feedback
I think the most valuable thing to have is patience! Your care with composition is more important than the camera and other gear you have. I waited 5 hours once for a lion cub to appear from under its mother and open its eyes, I live in beautiful Scotland and have sat for 3 hours to get the right cloud formations over Arran's mountains. Remember, if like me you love wild animals, you don't have to go away from your own country, I have recently taken a shot of a mother with a new born calf. I had to keep my distance as she was still licking the afterbirth away and I did not wish to disturb her. Respect should be a motto for all photographers, Respect the animals, the people, landscape and the culture of everyone and everything, but most of all enjoy yourself. I was blind for 2 years and have only partial sight back, but I am so thankful to appreciate all the beauty round about me and have learned that a failed shot just means a better one next time. I still keep clicking although I now have to use auto focus instead of my preferred manual. No problem can't be got round if you want that picture enough!
