Elephant on a Mound
This elephant strikes a jovial pose as he feeds from top of termite mound. The beauty of Mana Pools knows no end...and elephants provide amazing opportunities ...
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This elephant strikes a jovial pose as he feeds from top of termite mound. The beauty of Mana Pools knows no end...and elephants provide amazing opportunities to photograph
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Dec, 2017Views
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Action Award
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Zenith Award
Top Shot Award
Contest Finalist in Big Mammals Photo Contest
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Peer Award
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Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
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Magnificent Capture
All Star
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. Mana is a World Heritage site on the banks of the Zambezi. The trees are amazing...Albida and Ana trees form a "magical woodland" of light and shadow and color. Safaris in Mana are terrific...ride in the truck to a location, then safaris begin on foot! On foot with wild elephants, lions and leopards! Nothing better! This is a bucket list place!Time
Got up about 5a, that quick cup of coffee and into the safari truck. We drove about 20 mins, as sun was just starting to rise. Out of the truck, we started to walk around this small pond. I looked around, and across the pond in this golden light and light blue haze was this young elephant reaching to feed on the fruit of the tree. In the quiet of an African morning, all I could hear were cameras clicking.....I must have shot 50-60 photos, as he kept move something - trunk, leg or his head.Lighting
The light? This is Mana Pools. The gold from the sunrise, the haze with a cool blue, the green of the trees and the yellows of the grasses. Some mornings are bright orange as sun comes up, and in the evening, the red from an African sunset is too good to be true. This is natural light...it is what Mana is known for.Equipment
My gear is all Canon: 5D MkIII, EF100-400 ii. Hand held (sometimes having a tripod on walking safaris causes disruption, noises that may startle animals). This was shot at 350mm, ISO 800, F5.6 @ 1/800.Inspiration
Inspiration? Africa....one needs nothing more. The light on the trees...and an Elephant on top of a termite mound, framed by albida trees, and that curl in the trunk and the swagger of that back leg, like "I am so relaxed, take my photo!"Editing
I brought hilights up just a tad, added a tiniest bit of vibrance and clarity. That is it. I also converted a copy of this shot into black & white, it's nice, but I miss the "nature" of the photo.In my camera bag
For a safari, I pack up Canon 5DMkiii, Canon 7Dmkii, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 F2.8 and 100-400 f4.5-5.6. Also take along a 1.4 converter, although I think I have only used it twice over my three trips to Africa. For everyday use, usually take the 5Dmkiii, 24-70 and 70-200. I may throw in a Lensbaby Velvet56 or Velvet 85, depending on where I am wandering around, and maybe my 50mm F1.4. Usually keep the tripod in the car...just in case.Feedback
On any safari, one needs to listen to their guide, in particular about animal behavior. These are WILD animals. On walking safaris, it is even more important to listen to the guide! Ask questions, in particular if you are a bit edgy about being on foot with all these critters! But once out there, you need to "experience" the smells, the sounds, the vistas, and the animals...then pick up the camera! Look around you, you will find amazing things, as I found this elephant!. Be aware of the things, big and small, around you...as in landscapes, you may have to wait for the "perfect" shot, but it is always worth it. Safaris are an interesting, and fun, time. If photography is your "thing" and you would like to go on safari...find a reputable (there are many) PHOTO safari group. Sometimes all you need is the 70-200...sometimes you need that longer lens. The lighter the better if you are walking. Keep quiet around the animals, no matter how excited you may be...they can smell you, their eyesight is much better, and you don't want to attract certain animals (i.e. lions) by your excited speaking. Walking with lion...that is so special. But you will wait to see them move (they sleep 20 hrs)...but the shot will come, it is a wait and see game! Patience, inquisitiveness, and a love of nature -- and being aware of surroundings. But remember, put that camera down every once in a while, just take it all in!
