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Does size matter?


Does size matter?
Photo Information
Copyright: Willem Botha (whjb) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 51 W: 26 N: 172] (683)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-19
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Olympus E-300, Sigma 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 DC, 55mm UV Filter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals of Southern Africa II, !Loodzwaar [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-15 13:34
Viewed: 3470
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A father and son walks past the elephants in a zoo. The bull is in an aroused state and son asks his dad what it was. The dad replies that it was the elephant's reproductive organ.

"But, dad", says the son, "when I was here with mom, she said it was nothing".

"My son" says the father, "you must remember your mother is spoilt".

Yea, right. Jokes aside and a TN lesson next.

Due to the size of the elephant bull and the height of the elephant cow, the bull does not only using it's back when thrusting. It would probably lead to serious injuries and a huge decline in elephant populations.

The reproductive organ of the bull has it's own muscles that do most of the thrusting during mating.

This does give new meaning to the saying, "It has a life of it's own".
loot, Nephrotome2, scottevers7, Shoot_Score, Aaltjie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Shoot_Score: Highwaywhjb 2 03-01 19:50
To snowfalken: Circumstanceswhjb 3 01-17 00:17
To loot: Agreedwhjb 1 01-15 14:15
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5451 W: 594 N: 3650] (10031)
  • [2007-01-15 14:01]
  • [2] [+]

Hi Willem

Only if you want to scratch your ear.

Pragtige foto van die man met die 5 bene.

A well seen and captured shot (could you have missed it?) with a very interesting and fascinating lesson of gigantic proportions to the elephant populations’ continued existence.

A good composition, although IMHO you could have left a little more space on the right, for the elephant to move into. The colours are just fine, the details sure are very apparent and one can clearly see the textures of the epidermis of this great old pachyderm. The BG, although not completely OOF, is non-distractive and the exposure was well controlled. These dark or black animals easily fool the lighting sensors of our cameras and many times one would end up with an elephant that’s either too dark or it would seem to have a very shiny surface.

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

It also gives the huge effect by the fact that the hind legs are proportionally so short.
On a technical aspect, I plenty aggree with all remarks from Loot.
TFS

Hi Willem,
No matter what they tell you, size really does matter! Anyway, this is an excellent shot. A spot on exposure has the colors and detail looking great. That is a bigh elephant in every catagory.
Scott

Hello Willem,

What an impressive ... display! As far as I know, elephants in musht are very dangerous. How come you got so close to take the picture?
For the composition, I agree with Loot. Some open space is necessary in the right side for the elephant move into. The colors seem very "Africa" like. Exposure is very good, the shadows are soft preserving the details which are stunning! I can almost feel the rough texture of the elephant's skin. Focus is perfect and so is the way you handled the DOF. There is no sharpness fall-off on the body of the elephant. Even the secretion from behind the elephant's eyes is visible. This is another sigh that this bull is in "musht". Excellent work and very interesting notes! Congratulations and TFS!

With Best Regards,
Eddie

Hierdie baie mooi verhaal! Willem, Willem! "Mother is spoilt" eh! Well this bull seems to be ready to do some spoiling too.
But why is that bull on the highway??? Met die 5 bene nog wel!

I notice that thusfar only half a dozen guys have critiqued your 5-legged pachyderm. ;) I think he's scaring of the ladies on TN!

Willem

I was browsing the site for different elephant shots, and came across this posting of yours.
What applicable title! This is part of nature, and we cannot always turn our head other way when we in or see a situation like this. I enjoyed reading your note. Member Loot also posted an elephant cow with her baby and his notes was just as interesting. Did you see the posting?
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Africa/South_Africa/photo117764.htm

These animals are huge, and I stand amazed every time I see it, being live, on TV or in books or magazines. The sight of everything in the Creation is a day to day experience.

Hope to see a new posting of you soon.

Regards
Aaltjie

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