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Female Kudu


Female Kudu
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2637 W: 76 N: 6667] (26614)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-04
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger National Park
Theme(s): Kruger National Park animals 2, Mammals of Southern Africa II, Intimate Portraits, Vanderschelden's Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-26 11:50
Viewed: 1892
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Well whether you like it or not....I'm back;-).
So hello everybody! How are you doing???

This is one of my first images taken in South Africa.
More specific in KNP (Kruger National Park).
I spend
3 weeks in KNP. Pushed the button between 15000 and 20000 times.
Drove approximate 3200 km in KNP...
So this one is taken day 1/20. Tomorrow I have the intention to upload an image day 2/20 and so forth...
And then start all over 1/20, 2/20,...
Doing so I hope to supply more info, data, narrative stuff, etc.

Well to tell you the truth, I met a few Rhinos before this one, took some shots but the camera settings were not good (jpeg instead of RAW,...) and forgot to turn off the engine of my Toyota Corolla(camera shake). Concerning the latter, I mean the car...maybe not the most sexy car but a very good car! It must be said. So thank you very much my Toyota Corolla 1.4. Really!
Besides after a 24 hours or more to get to Mpumalanga airport where I took my above hired car, I sprayed the repellent DEET abundantly on my face (eyes closed) as I was entering malaria area. So abundant that my eyes were in a terrible state:-). Never spray this stuff into your closed eyes let alone while your eyes are open or onto your lips...
A lot of excuses for missing my first shots:-)

About Kruger: if God is nature then Kruger is God.
What Kruger is can't be said in words. Certainly not in my English;-) Images and music are other mediums but then again...

So, dear friends, let me guide you the following weeks through the 'Nasionale Krugerwildtuin'.

Finally...
Want to thank a lot of people here for several reasons concerning the preparation of my trip. The South African community; I'm thinking about Jan Hendrik, Loot, etc.. I guess they know why. Also Viv, Paul,...
Thank you guys. In fact I have to thank you all 'cause through your critiques, replies, photos etc., I found the inspiration to travel to and through this wilderness. It is called Kruger National Park.
Thanks.

This image is taken through the open car window. Did use a self made beanbag in the beginning but considered it a waste of time and a beanbag is in my opinion not really necessary. Turned the engine off and got the 6 kg glass on the door opening....

Taken in the Malelane area on the S110 to Berg-en-Dal Restcamp.


Kudu...
Usually spotted in small groups in dense savannah and hilly terrain. Browse leaves, shoots and seed pots of trees. When threatend, they hide or freeze motionless between the trees. Male kudu have long, spiralling horns.
Source: visitors guide


Camera Model Name
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time
4/10/2007 14:17:21
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/400Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F5.0
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
100
Lens
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM +1.4x
Focal Length
560,0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard
Parameters
Tone Curve : Standard
Sharpness level : -
Pattern Sharpness : -
Contrast : 0
Sharpness : 3
Color saturation : 0
Color tone : 0
Highlight tone priority : No
Color matrix
-
Color Space
sRGB

PP in PS CS2
promise myself and you to touch up in terms of little clonings, croppings, etc as little as possible.

:-)
Alex99, nglen, Patleboss, PaulH, jesst, horia, marhowie, eqshannon, Jamesp, undoredo, Pentaxfriend, cecilia, fartash, viv, Silke, anel, claudine has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To fiftysomething: Thanks Mikevanderschelden 1 10-29 01:14
To claudine: Hello Claudine,vanderschelden 2 10-28 06:34
To Evelynn: Hi Evelynnvanderschelden 3 10-27 09:06
To marhowie: I got dropping Rhino, Mother and Child Rhino,vanderschelden 1 10-27 05:23
To viv: December...?vanderschelden 1 10-27 03:31
To PeterZ: Calm down :-))vanderschelden 1 10-27 02:12
To janhendrik: Looking forward to 'hear' your critiques, cvanderschelden 1 10-27 00:54
To eqshannon: Hi Bobvanderschelden 2 10-26 15:46
To marhowie: One piece....:-)vanderschelden 1 10-26 15:30
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3040 W: 148 N: 4529] (14629)
  • [2007-10-26 12:01]

Hi Annick.
I like :-)))
My congratulations on your amazing trip. I think we'll see many surprising photos. First one is excellent. Framing and composition are superb. The charming animal is reproduced perfectly (as always). BG is wonderful at its blurriness too. My compliments.
Alexei.

Bonsoir Annick,
tout simplement superbe !!!
bravo pour cette magnifique photo,
amicalement,
Pat

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 2998] (10820)
  • [2007-10-26 12:14]

Hi Annick,
good to see you safely back. I have a feeling we're in for a treat in the next few weeks. This portrait of a Kudu is superb and puts my efforts at shooting Deer to shame.
Clear, sharp detail and focus with perfect composition. Very well done, to say i am envious of your trip would be an understatement.
tfs
Paul

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 361 W: 0 N: 164] (2198)
  • [2007-10-26 12:21]

Hi Annick!

Glad to see you pictures again!
Now I can only repeat after PaulH - "Clear, sharp detail and focus with perfect composition". Wonderful shot and I hope it's only beginning.

Ha Annick,

ik zal je de komende dagen een beetje in de gaten houden want ik wil zo weinig mogelijk van deze prachtige foto's missen
schitterend shot van deze "koedoe"
Prachtige compo, kleur, scherpte en details en belichting
over belichting gesproken, het ziet er naar uit dat je prachtig weer hebt gehad en ik hoop dat U erg heeft genoten

TFS Thijs

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2082 W: 216 N: 3759] (12474)
  • [2007-10-26 14:24]

Hi again my friend

It's great to hear you had such a fruitful trip; 15000-20000 photos seems like that to me :)
I completly agree with you: Toyota Corolla is an exccellent car, no matter which edition. I'm a big fan of cars and i read about them a lot...plus my uncle had one. It was terrific!
Also, i'm sorry to hear about missing those rhino shots :( I'm sure you did you would have wanted them in your portofoio, too.

Now for this beauty, what more to say than what has alredy been said? Indeed it's a wonderful portrait! Indeed it has amazing details, colors and a spot-on DOF. And indeed it's a gorgeous pose and composition.
Aha...i have an idea for something original to say: i wish i had a girlfriend with such beautiful dark eyes such as this lovely kudu :)

Cheers, Annick and i can't wait to see some more!
Horia

hi annick!
A great trip i think and
you start with a real beauty!
sharp and in nice lightning
good work and i look forward
to more shots!

You know...I was actually afraid to critique you. Your lens cost more than my house did:-) I thought, this guy has been around a long time and who am I to tell him...

It is a wonderful capture with super lengthy notes. I mean you are like me...although I tend to notate in romantic words as opposed to your lengthy informational notes. Not with-standing, this is an excellent picture of a species I may never see before I pass on. Very nice of you to share so much of your valuable work and time. I just thought I would drop in for once and thank you.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2007-10-26 15:39]

Hi Annick

Wonderful shot with excellent clarity and detail.

James

Sorry short crit - big internet probs

Hi Annick.
I think you'd had good trip. Welcome back. :-)
I hope we'll see many amazing photos from you step by step. This first photo is wonderful. You show us pretty new charming animal Kudu.
Well captured with delicate details and sharpness.
Nice composition and focusing.
TFS and regards,
Kevin

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-10-26 19:27]

Hi Annick,
Great to see you back after such a looong time, sure did miss your shots.
Just acknowledging this wonderful shot. Will come back with a proper critique in a while.
Regards.
Sumon

Outstanding shot! with a 3D effect. I think i'll just leave it as WOW!
Brilliant!!!
Cecilia

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-26 21:13]

Hello Annick

Welcome back! i have a feeling we are in for some amazing images from you (15000-20000) for the next 54 years.LOL.I exactly what you mean about camera shake from a running vehicle because I take many shots from mine and must remember to shut off the ignition.You begin with an impressive and imposing Kudu.The focus is very good with sharp details.I love the intense look in it's eyes.Very good lighting and colours.TFS

Rob

Oh how fun. I get to go on a virtual safari!!

This is a great first post. It looks perfect to me.
I love my self-made bean bags. I stack two on the hood of the vehicle on occasion and it works well. Out of the window I use a clever wooden platform that my husband designed. With the bean bag on that it is as steady as a tripod. I even use my cable shutter release with it as I can actually let go of the camera ( with strap around my neck so as not to accidently drop it out the window!!) I can set it up in very few seconds and the window itself goes up an down if I need to adjust it.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hi Annick!!

So glad to finally start seeing your pictures. A lovely clear and crisp image of this beautiful buck. Nice side-lighting. I look forward very much too seeing all your Kruger pictures.

Jan-Hendrik

Hello Annick,
Can't you reserve all the space on TN for a couple of days for your photos? About the spray: We've got a lot of Belgium jokes.
Your opening is fantastic. Great composition BG and sharpness. KNP is fantastic so I hope to see a lot of interesting photos.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Annick
Welcome back my friend, We missed you around here :o)I hope you had a great time in Africa,
Perfect exposure,composition and Logo, Welldone.

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 3 N: 621] (3122)
  • [2007-10-27 3:14]
  • [+]

Hoi Annick,
Wat leuk om te lezen dat je zo enthousiast bent over "mijn" favorite bestemming. Ik geloof dat je ook besmet bent met het Kruger virus. Nu ik dit alweer zie is december nog heel ver weg. Maar ja nog even aftellen.
Maar nu terug naar je Kudu, gewoon een geweldig plaatje.
Groet Vivian

Hi Annick & welcome back,
Good to see you made it back in one piece! Of course, I'm sure at some point a predator gave ya the eye..I bet you stayed in your not-so-sexy car quite often :)
Sounds like you had an awesome time of it mf..
God's country eh..too bad you were too sexy for your car ;}}}
Excellent image, can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve next..Ok, I see you posted again...I want to see some mating rhino's next please :-0
Howard

Hi Annick
welcome back. great portrait with stunning sharpness and perfect bg
great
tfs
tom

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2007-10-27 9:07]

Hi Annick. Wondered were you were you lucky man.have read your notes and will look forward to the next few weeks of pictures from you.
You start with a very good close up of the beautiful looking animal.fantastic looking eyes and ears. which you have captured with sharp focusing and fine detail. good natural colours. very well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1729] (5398)
  • [2007-10-27 12:18]

Love to have you back again!
Great stat to the next phase of your gallery! Superb eye contact and perfect composition
TFS
silke

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1173 W: 0 N: 1968] (8357)
  • [2007-10-28 2:48]

hello Annick,
Now we know where you disappeared, must have been great. This first picture is so touching by the attitude full of curiosity of this female Kudu. Perfect sharpness, like always, beautiful light and harmonious colours.
Thanks a lot
Anne

Hello Annick,
I knew it! You have realized a dream that I have for a long time, going to Kruger! Oh my... I'm sure it was just great even with Deet in your eyes :)! I took some information about how this trip could cost me and I better win the million before even thinking about it :) This is a superb portrait of an unusual animal. Details, exposure and composition are just perfect! This is beautiful with great eye contact. Thanks and welcome back!
Claudine

Glad to see you back in one piece! ;) Of course curious about your trip. The 1st image promises much for it's excellent all around and as crisp as it gets. Cheers, Klaus

Stunning photo. The lighting and focus is superb. Now I can't wait to get back to Kruger on 28 December (my 35th trip).

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