baby elephant
May, 2015Views
721
Likes
Awards
Winner in Zoo Animals Photo Challenge
Winner in Zoo Animal Photo Challende Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Love it
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire UK. I only live 10 minutes drive away and spend a great deal of time either wandering around or sitting by a certain enclosure watching how the animals behave. I have got to know several of the keepers and I greatly admire the work they do in looking after the animals and also the invaluable work the zoo does in conservation throughout the world. My favourite time of year to go is in the winter with frost on the ground and few if any visitors.Time
This was taken in april around 1.30 in the afternoon. I sat on the grass by the elephant enclosure close to the fence so the elephants could get used to me being there and eventually this young calf began running around and i managed to capture the image just as he came towards me and was delighted by the expression of joy and happiness. I must have been sitting there about an hour but it was worth it.Lighting
A moderately overcast day so I used an exposure of 1/250 iso 100 and Aperture 7Equipment
This shot is taken with a canon 70d with canon lens 100 - 400mm Hand held but resting on the outer fence of the elephant enclosureInspiration
I love taking shots of all types of animals but I often find its the elephants which are the most popular. The facial expression is smiling or laughter and the interaction between them can make an interesting story board by putting several shots togetherEditing
The only post processing i have done is slight cropping. I prefer to keep my photos are taken and I am not a great believer in picture manipulation. As an experiment I did some cleaning up of the background on foreground of this picture. But in the original state this picture has proved extremely popular of ViewBug.In my camera bag
I use a Canon 70 and have added several lenses. My favourite is the Tamron 18 - 300. A very versatile lens and light weight. i also use a canon 100 - 400 and have recently bought a sigma 150 - 600 contemporary which can onle be used with a tripod. When using that lens I operate the camera using wi fi remote control on my IpadFeedback
I like to think of myself as an improving amateur but a long way from some of the professional pictures I see on ViewBug. However the important thing with any photograph is that it looks good to the photographer. As a complete novice I get a kick out of seeing my pictures picking up likes and awards from fellow ViewBug members and I would advise people to go with their hearts and enter challenges and contests to gauge what our Peers like to see. I enjoy taking animals and birds and therefore my local zoo is a great place to start but so is my garden. I find having a camera in my hand makes me look at things in a different way.
