Steve Long
July 2026 - Walking and Eating
Original
About the Image(s)
This is from my February Safari. We came upon this lone elephant just nonchalantly grazing on the grass.
I Used my 720 converted Sony c7R with a prime 35 lens: 1/400, f7.1, ISO 100
Post processing was done in LRc. Adaptive B&W, added contrast using the tone curve, downed highlights and raised the shadows. I used masking to add drama to the sky, lighten the elephant and add a vignette.
11 comments posted
Steve
There may be enough grass in this expanse to keep this elephant fueled..."He" does not seem to mind you are taking his picture for your records.
Wonderful photo opportunity for you and this is a case in point. IR seems to enhance the elephants skin texture interestingly.
Well done
Emil
Posted: 07/01/2026 14:44:21
There may be enough grass in this expanse to keep this elephant fueled..."He" does not seem to mind you are taking his picture for your records.
Wonderful photo opportunity for you and this is a case in point. IR seems to enhance the elephants skin texture interestingly.
Well done
Emil
Posted: 07/01/2026 14:44:21
Thanks Emil! Posted: 07/01/2026 17:28:19
Steve, the prime lens added to the clarity of this masterfully composed image. You must have been close to this beast. I like what you did with the sky. Both you and Melanie have, through example, taught us to bring an IR camera to Africa. Thank you. Posted: 07/01/2026 14:46:05
We were pretty close to this elephant. Yes, next time you go on a safari, bring your IR camera! Posted: 07/01/2026 17:29:49
Hi Steve. Very nice composition and capture of this interesting scene. The sky looks great with the applied masking. I think that the lighter grass in the original fits better, but it's your image and interpretation. Posted: 07/01/2026 16:38:02
Yes, I think you are correct, the lighter grass makes the elephant stand out better. Thanks Posted: 07/01/2026 17:30:37
Great portrait of an amazing beast! Your image is a great example of using IR to bring out subtle detail without shouting IR. Posted: 07/02/2026 17:03:25
Thanks Henry! Posted: 07/03/2026 22:56:49
Nice image, Steve, but after gazing at it, what made me smile, was discovering the small tree in the back! Not sure if that went into your thinking or not, but for me it takes this image beyond a documentary nature image into being a little more artistic. Posted: 07/03/2026 15:18:19
YES! Thanks for noticing the tree. I have several images of him walking towards the tree, which to my eye, adds a bit of intrigue to the image. I couldn't decide between these 2 images. Posted: 07/03/2026 23:00:01
Very nice image Steve. I like the crop to focus more in on the subject and remove the blank area above the top cloud. I also like the wide open space on the right which gives the elephant walking into space. You muct have been pretty close to him with a 35mm prime!
Posted: 07/08/2026 02:24:29
Posted: 07/08/2026 02:24:29