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Mug-shot of a Thief


Mug-shot of a Thief
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 104 N: 2609] (7531)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 80-400 OS
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): African Canines, Canidae [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-02 8:26
Viewed: 4718
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Crooks, muggers, thieves, connivers, counterfeiters, steal, pilfer, purloin, rob, lift, lighten a purse, finger-smiths (pick-pockets), the list is endless when it comes to describing thieves and the acts of thievery in the English Language. I am not saying that the English were or are the world’s greatest thieves, just that in a language of about 600 000 words, they have collected a list as long as my arm to describe thievery! English not being my mother tongue, and a third language while at school, has, however, over the years dug its linguistic claws into my mind, and I love this language with its inconsistencies and more exceptions to the rules than words adhering to the rules!

Take pilfer – to borrow with the intention of never returning – that book from your friend!
Purloin – to steal little by little, or something cheap, often in a sneaky way, also filch, nobble.
Kleptomania –compulsive urge to steal
Plagiarise – steal other’s ideas, writings, tunes etc and use as your own, - except when you do it in the name of research – the last is my cynical opinion.

Rustle – steal cattle or live-stock, and this brings us back to our subject the Black-backed Jackal, Canis mesomelas. You can look HERE to see the first post in this mini series on the master thief of the African Savannah.

The jackals living around the Rest Camp at Nossob are renowned for their ability to steal the meat from the fire. We call barbeque braai in SA, even the English speaking SA’S do so. This refers both to the metal grid on which we place the meat as well as the process of “cooking” the meat, except, meat is braaied, not cooked! The nearest I can give you is browning the meat slowly until done to your taste, rare, medium or well-done!
The jackals will steal anything they can get their teeth in. Now get a hold of this face – it looks pure, sweet innocence, but the shifty eye gives away the crafty mind behind the guileless pose. We have not even started our fire, when Mr Jackal was already sniffing around the perimeter of our site. Last time we were there, I got no decent pictures. I was not going to let the opportunity slip through my fingers again, so we didn’t chase him off, neither did we discourage him, because they have more patience than Job, and can outwait any one when there is the change of a bite or scrap to scrounge, be it from lion or Homo sapiens .
They are unafraid of humans, and sneak up to two meter from one. My wife shined the spotlight on the critter while I was doing the shooting. I posted a WS, so that you can see the trepidation in his stance, ready to bolt at the merest wink of danger. The meat “dropped’ on the floor, so what could we do?
CaptiveLight, Luc, carper, willie, Fisher, rlortie, extramundi, gerhardt, marhowie, red45 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fisher: Green EyeCallie 1 01-02 15:43
To carper: JakkalsCallie 1 01-02 14:25
To Arjuna: WSCallie 1 01-02 14:19
SHOOTING DETAILS - Note too longCallie 1 01-02 08:27
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Critiques [Translate]

tres amusant comme animale !
une petite tete, des grande oreilles, des yeux bridés....
c'est moi ou la photo manque de nettete ?
la note est bonne et nous apprend plein de chose ;)
merci a toi.

Amusing note Callie. these must be one of natures real survivors then, able to adapt to feeding from...well...barbeques.

:-)

The thieves do not like be photographed, Callie. I believe that you surprised well him, this one.
He really has this cunning aspect which makes its reputation.
The composition is completed. Our glances go necessarily to his eye.
The fill-flash made its work: enlightening the subject and creating a dark BG.
I dared a WS for the sharpness.
An excellent image accompanied with a more excellent note.
Thanks a lot.

wauw Cally,
Great head, it´s really anice photo, the details of the jackals, called jakhals in Dutch. are you not afraid for a jackals Cally.
The dof is exelent, very good note. I think you can write a book.good job Callie

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-01-02 13:09]

Pragtig Callie. Baie baie mooi. Very good DOF and pose. Well done

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-02 15:06]

I will never trus any one with eyes like these! The exposure here needs special mention - you and the flash made a good team here. He can be lucky that you are not a farmer, otherwise he would have been history. Great note as well.

Very well done and thanks for posting

Excelent mug of the thief, his eye shows it. the "Demon" eye from the flash could be cleaned up or left in. Abit soft on the focus though. Well done on the capture.

Mike

Very good portrait. I can feel the "felonious intent" in his expression. Perfect background, Only the sharpness could be improved, but Luc already did it ;-) with my favorite tool.
Thanks for the excellent note.

I love this face, Callie!
Very nice shot of this character. Good work with the fill flash, the lighting is very good with the dark BG. I agree with Luc about the sharpness, better in the WS.

What a sly, wily mug you captured here. Light handled expertly - please compliment the missus ;-)) I do think it could do with some sharpening, though, but Luc already showed you what may be done in that field ;-)

Firstly, please allow me to wish you all the best for 2005, Callie. I have been away for a while and missed some of your shots, I have a weeks vacation left and might drop off the radar again.

The expression you capture of this common thief is absolutley stunning. The sly look comes through perfectly. They must have been really craving a piece of "braai vleis" Great mugshot, Callie. Well done.

Callie, You have captured this thief's sly look in expert fashion. Well done & Happy New Year Callie!

Very good portrait Callie.
The expression is very good.
Very good composition, pose, colours and a great note.
It's just a little soft.
Very well done.

Great shot, focus a bit soft, great note as always.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2703 W: 74 N: 8857] (30219)
  • [2005-01-03 6:05]

Not much to say more - this is face of a thief :-) Great pose and great portrait.

  • Great 
  • mumek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 0 N: 178] (847)
  • [2005-01-03 16:47]

Very good composition colors and details. The face is telling everything about his character.Very interesting note.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
  • [2005-01-03 23:29]

Thank you for that 'lecture' on the English language Callie :) but you are correct. From the look of this jackel's eyes, he is agreeing with you. He does look hunggry so thats for feeding him. Great shot too.
Thanks...

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 649 W: 0 N: 178] (628)
  • [2005-01-05 2:33]

Pragtig Callie. De alertheid bij dit beest is zeer groot, de oren in een mooie positie, de ogen halfgeopend en de gezonde natte snuit, baie mooi.
Congratulations!

  • Great 
  • tinman Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 242 W: 7 N: 458] (2663)
  • [2005-03-30 14:33]

Now now, careful with the terminology here. This is redistribution of assets! In his case, "you didn't need that leg, you got another 3". LOL - well done, I like it.

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