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Oryx


Oryx
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-18
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals of Southern Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-05 4:53
Viewed: 5761
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I was in two minds about posting this (again). The reason for my doubts was that I played with the colors, but then again so is adjusting tones, hue, contrast ………, so I decided to post it wearing a crash helmet. I use edge finder to select the Oryx that was facing me and then converted the remainder of the image as B&W. Please let me know what you think.

Vital statistics: Gemsbok (Oryx gazelle)

Identification
Aptly referred to as the “Spirit of the Desert”, the silhouette of the gemsbok, shimmering on the horizon through the midday heat, is an image synonymous with Africa.
Heavily built, with a short, stocky neck and distinctive long, rapier-like horns, the gemsbok is unlike any other African antelope. Well-defined black and white facial markings as well as black bands running along each flank above a pure-white belly, stand out in stark contrast against the grey/fawn color of the body. Black patches on the upper-parts of the legs and top of the rump, a black stripe down the front of the neck and a long black horse-like tail completes its striking appearance. Females are generally slighter in build than their male counterparts.

Distribution
Gemsbok are found in the arid north-west of the sub region, throughout Namibia & Botswana

Habitat
Essentially a species of open, arid country, gemsbok occur in open grassland, savannah and light open woodland. In some parts of the southern Namib desert, they are found on the dunes and sand fields as well as the mountainous northern regions.

Food
Gemsbok are well-adapted to their waterless wasteland habitat. Although gemsbok will readily drink water when available, when it is scarce they supplement their primarily grass diet with melons and will dig for roots, bulbs and tubers. Often, gemsbok, under these extreme drought conditions, limit their day-time activities to the barest minimum, feeding mainly during the night and early morning, when plants contain the most moisture
carper, RAP, orme, Esox, Callie, PDP, nwoehnl, letr, gerhardt, Signal-Womb has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To DiaAzul: Helmetjapie 1 08-05 07:06
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Critiques [Translate]

It's nice Japie,
good composed, I think you could crop some more, to become a better composition,And i think you can better keep it in colours. Farther you did a good job here.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-05 6:30]

Wow... una interesante imagen Japie, más artistica que natural, pero bella al fin.
Gran composicion, nitidez y el efecto de color, distinto.
Bravo!

Wow... an interesting Japie image, more artistic than natural, but beautiful finally.
Great composition, clearness and the effect of color, different.
Bravo

The only thing missing is the speech bubble coming from the Oryx's mouth so we can enter our comments.

This works very well, mostly because there are so many distractions in the rest of the picture that the main subject would be lost. However, by de-saturating everything that is not important we are left to focus on the main Oryx and its expression.

I think you can put your helmet away for the time being, this is a fine interpretation.

  • Great 
  • Esox Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 239 W: 20 N: 344] (972)
  • [2004-08-05 12:32]

Good composition.
I agree with carper with colours, but I like your cropping.
However, good job.

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
  • [2004-08-05 13:30]

Japie
It carries a certain impact for sure! Is that the reason for the helmet? I think David hit it on the nail with his comment!

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-05 14:25]

Take your helmet off I think it works, David put it very nicely. Nice.

Very well carried-out post work here, Japie. As the oryx facing the camera is overlapping with some of his buddies, I guess this way we really get to focus on the beauty of his colorful presence. Nice natural setting and fine notes.

Nice to see this one transfered to TN Japie, works so well, with the colour against the B&W the colours are nice too, no burnout in the whites either

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-06 10:46]

Well I think you succeeded in bringing out the Gemsbok , I like the contrst here with the B/W .. very good pp with excellent colors and compo !

Japie, This is unique. I like it. The note about the helmet was funny too. Thanx for sharing. It does place the focus on the one gemsbok nicely.

This a very good idea to keep the subject in colour while the rest is in B&W. Must try that sometime. It makes for a great photo here Japie. Well done.

Hi Japie!

Nice adventure playing with desaturation.

It is nice to me, but I would prefer to see all colored.

Nice photo!

K.

Looks like a commercial for the allergy relief medicine. The bubble should say : Take one Japie a day and keep the polen away !!!
Good shot and I give you a ,,biggie,, !

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