We are Stardust
Buffalo Skull under Baobab trees and the milky way, Musina, South Africa.
Buffalo Skull under Baobab trees and the milky way, Musina, South Africa.
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Oct, 2017Views
1906
Likes
Awards
Chatter Award
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 27
Peer Choice Award
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Nocsra
November 29, 2017
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Nocsra
November 29, 2017
Compliments on a great shot. It was made even better by your description of the magnificent bull grazing amongst the stars.
Platinum
katherineplessner
November 29, 2017
I am loving this--especially after being in Africa this past summer myself.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Greater Kudu Conservancy Limpopo Province, South Africa.Time
This was at midnight on a moonless night. During the day I scoured the reserve for the right Baobab trees and returned at midnight to take pictures. The skull is of an old buffalo bull which had probably died during the last drought in the area.Lighting
The orange glow in the background is the glare from Musina town, about 30 kilometers away.Equipment
Canon 5D mk iv, 16-35mm f2.8 mk iii Canon lens, tripod and flashlight.Inspiration
I was out to shoot the milky way. However, looking at the billions of bright stars, I thought about the famous words of Carl Sagan. The skull just sealed it - it had been a proud, magnificent bull once - now grazing amongst the stars.Editing
Not much. Tweaked the contrast, highlights and white balance on Lightroom.In my camera bag
A wide angle zoom lens, 50mm prime, 70-200 zoom and 300mm prime lens, spare body, extra batteries and memory cards.Feedback
Mount the camera as low to the ground as possible, using a wide angle lens (wider than 18mm on full frame camera, or equivalent). Fast lens (f2.8 or faster) is necessary to avoid chasing ISO too much. Expose 25 to 30 seconds without any further illumination (just quick show of a flashlight away from the subject - reflected back off trees, grass or so).
