African Elephant

[botspur]

I did a trip to Northern Botswana at the beginning of October this year and sat by this waterhole for three days and nothing happened, on the fourth day the magic arrived, elephants and giraffe provided great opportunities. I learnt one thing about nature photography - patience. My D90 has never worked so hard.

Any C&C will be appreciated.

[Nicks Pics]

These are wonderful shots! It looks like you were really close, rather than just using a long lens- were you? Anyway, the POV makes these photos exciting, and helps the elephants look big. I wish there were just a little more space between the elephant's head and the top of the frame, on the second one, and that there were a little more to the left, and less to the right of the elephant on the first, to provide for the mind's expectation that the animal is going toward the left, and therefore it looks at the animal, and to the left of it. I like the little blue birdie by the pool!

[deetheturk]

Wonderful images Clive! #2 looks a bit scary

[botspur]

Hi Nick, Thank you. Yes I was close and using a 70-200mm Nikkor kit lens with a crop factor of 1.5 there is not much room, I take your comments on board but space is limited as the images are nearly full frame.
Thanks David

[Nicks Pics]

With the second I think you could easily double some of the sky you have and ad it to the top, if you were so inclined, but sometimes that's just how it goes- you can't frame it just the way you want. As for the first, you could crop a little on the right to move the elephant to the right, but I do like that dead tree in the BG, so I wouldn't do that too much...

[AB26]

Absolutely stunning.
You’ve done justice to the giants!

[IzzieK]

Both shots are really very, very good...but I like the addition of the little blue bird at the left side of the elephants. It gives a better perspective on how big...no I take that back...huge, gargantuan...these animals are. Sometimes words just cannot express the right term to use about how beautiful these animals are...

[botspur]

Hi Andre, thank you as I value your opinion a lot.
Hi Izzie, thank you for the comments and I can tell that you love the elephants just as much as I do. To be honest at the time I never noticed the glossy starling until I was doing PP, but the bird does catch the eye and helps with perspective as you say.

[John 2]

Yes you need patience and you have to wait for the wild life to come to you. Lovely shots Clive but I agree that they are a bit tight in the frame.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[bnnrcn]

Great shots Clive, congratulations

[Rita]

Very nice images, I do agree with the others that there could be more room in the frame.
Well worth the wait.

[marlunn]

envy envy envy, not just a fantastic place and subject but really good images that do them justice, patience has its rewards and it certainly rewarded you sir, very well shot.

[Brownbear]

Absolutely stunning!

My favourite is the first for the capture of the splash of water as the elephants' foot enters the water and the contrast between the size of the elephant and the bird. Truly special.

[Barbara Ponder]

Love the 2nd shot. Love the stair-step of the 3 elephants each draws my eye to the next and beyond! Beautiful work.

[Texas Dave]

You've made me realize of just how much talent is on this forum. Thank you for sharing your amazing work!

[kdoc856]

Brilliant shots, particularly the dynamism in the 2nd. You've done some gorgeous B&W with elephants, and I'm wondering how the 2nd shot would translate?

[JohnRostron]

Great shots. I particularly like the second.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Were you seated as pictured in your avatar?
Great shots.

[Donald]

Everyone has already said it, but I just want to add my praises. That second one in particular is a stupendous image. So, so many people would give up a lot to have got that one. Well done, Clive.

ps - When are you doing the B & W conversion!!