Hi Al, what an awe-inspiring encounter! The adults have settled in a perfect formation round the baby, and, composition-wise, I think that removing the youngster from the right edge was a good decision. The generative tool did a good job.- I especially love the way the backlight draws their contours, and the cloud of dust at their feet.   Posted: 04/09/2025 19:05:52

Hi Al - What a scene to come across! Not only do you have a baby with the adults but you also caught them in their dust bath, which for me, adds to the impact of the photo. I like your decision and execution of removing the elephant that was only partially in the original. To my eye, some of the blacks on the elephants could be masked and the exposure brought up a little to show more detail in those areas. Also, you might consider removing the tops of the trees/bushes right above the ears of the elephant on the right and elephant on the left. Nice storytelling capture!   Posted: 04/10/2025 16:22:18

Interesting, at least to me, how the conversion to b&w creates a somewhat sinister feel to the gathering. Love the change in demeanor!

Agree about "trimming" the elephant ears of the tops of the trees.

Looks like an amazing safari!

Thanks,

Doug   Posted: 04/12/2025 17:12:08

Hi Al. What a wonderful nature photograph capturing this special moment. Removing the small elephant on the right was a good decision and the dust is an added plus for interest. However, I prefer the color version. For me, the subtle tonal differences between the elephants are lost in the black and white.   Posted: 04/16/2025 17:18:16

Barbara yes the tonal differences are lost. wanted to recapture the elephants' determmination to shield the little calf and empnasiz their formidability. Thanks for taking the time to give yopur analysis I should work with your comment, but try to convey the strength of the adults   Posted: 04/16/2025 22:38:31

I love the story telling of the photo. I too like the color version better - I think the B&W would work better if some of the halos around the outline of the elephants and background trees weren't so pronounced. It's an amazing capture of a wonderful nature scene.
One other observation - is that the shadow of the removed elephant on the right side of the photo?
You are fortunate to have been able to take this wonderful photo.   Posted: 04/16/2025 23:38:44