Melanie Hurwitz
August 2026 - Zebra on the Road
Original
About the Image(s)
We are going back to Africa this month. It's not unusual to come around a bend in the road (yes that is a road which is a very gravelly) to find animals crossing it. Zebras are curious and will often stop to look at he vehicle. It's nice to have at straight on view instead of the usual side view we get. I do like to include the environment in these kinds of images.
The contrast was fairly high so I worked to reduce both shadow and bright highlighted area. Life Pixel Action to do the channel mixing and converted to black and white in Photoshop. Select color and levels to enhance the tones.
ISO 200, 70mm, F11, 1/200 Sony ARll
8 comments posted
Melanie, the head-on shot is engaging. This image is a lesson on why Zebras have stripes. They confuse a predator. Although the bland uniform sky keeps attention on the Zebras, my eye wants something a bit more interesting. But nothing to note, my eye is adolescent. Posted: 08/01/2026 15:50:28
Melanie,
Enjoy trip number 2 ? to Africa...
The Zebra's curiosity created a nice head on shot for you. I think you handled the contrast nicely bringing the eye to the foreground where your fan club is keeping watch
Well done
Emil Posted: 08/01/2026 16:17:54
Enjoy trip number 2 ? to Africa...
The Zebra's curiosity created a nice head on shot for you. I think you handled the contrast nicely bringing the eye to the foreground where your fan club is keeping watch
Well done
Emil Posted: 08/01/2026 16:17:54
Interesting and nicely-handled environmental portrait of the zebras. The clouds add drama without creating a distraction from the main subject. I may crop it a bit tighter, but it's your picture with your interpretation. Posted: 08/01/2026 17:48:31
Congrats on your return trip, Melanie. I like that they're walking into the light. I'm not a huge fan of the sky (and there appears to be a hot spot right at the horizon), but I do appreciate that you went with what you had, rather than replace. Posted: 08/02/2026 15:30:11
Bravo on your return to Africa. Zebras are great subjects for IR. I agree with Erik that a tighter crop would be beneficial. Have fun and don't forget the monopod! Posted: 08/03/2026 20:16:17
Hi All, Thanks for all your kind and helpful comments. I don't think I was very clear, this was not a return trip to Africa, but a return to my African files! Posted: 08/04/2026 16:17:47
Great image, Melanie. I do agree with the others about the sky but otherwise love this. One of my experiences from our own visit to Kenya's Maasai Mara years ago was that the zebras seemed determined to always turn away from us. I'm impressed you got such a great "group shot." Posted: 08/04/2026 16:46:33
Very nice image Melanie. You are correct that the head on view provides a different perspective from the norm and makes it interesting. As others have said, I might crop it a little more to make it a tighter shot and focus in on your subjects. The broader view does provide more of the environment but a little tighter crop may increase the interest on the zebras.
Posted: 08/17/2026 02:30:53
Posted: 08/17/2026 02:30:53