NYALA EWES
Jul, 2016Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Game Reserves Anywhere in Africa Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Genius
Magnificent Capture
All Star
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Behind The Lens
Location
I spent a few hours doing a recce at Zimang a Private Game Reserve, where Charl Senekal, photographer in his own right, has through a selection of hides created opportunity for wildlife photographers to interact with the African bush in a unique way. This underground hide is set up foe overnight stays.Time
To properly utilise the opportunity, one should stay overnight. I however was only doing a short investigative trip and couldn't make use of the night hours. That's a great pity because the hide offers unparralelled access to bige game + star trail type hots. In the few hours I was in the hide, a small herd of impala (Apyseros melampus) and a family of nyala (Tragelaphus angassi) came down to drink around mid-morning.Lighting
Once the harsh African sun is up, shadows harden and the light quickly becomes unpleasantly contrasty. Was lucky here; although in the grip of a gnawing drought. I got some unexpected high cloud ~ just enough to diffuse the sunlight and open out the shadows for meEquipment
Nikon d3, Nikkor 80~200mm f2.8 ED. Wimberley gimbal on a house tripod.Inspiration
The combination of low angle and close distance provided at this hide give such a unique perspective, that virtually anything in frame is going to produce an unusual image.Editing
Capture NX 2. Tweek chroma + (plus). Tweek contrast - (minus) 1 pixel widthIn my camera bag
2x d3's. a range of old analog prime lenses; 24mm f2.8. ~ 55mm f3.5 macro, ~ 500mm f5.6 mirror Nikkor cpu lenses; 14~24mm f2.8. ~ 80~200mm f2.8, ~ 200~400mm f4. reversal ring, ext tube, remote trigger,Feedback
patience. Sit at a waterhole and the bush will come to you. Dry season (when ground water dries up, or is scarce) removes the option of animals being able to find water everywhere. Almost all animals must drink every day and they are forced to use a waterhole, either during daylight hours, or at night.patience is always its own reward .
