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Beisa Oryx in Evening Light


Beisa Oryx in Evening Light
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-12-23
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-08-20 2:56
Viewed: 6756
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I am going to be away in Italy for a few days - I am leaving for the airport shortly.

This is a scanned slide. The group are back-lit - I really like back light!

The East African Oryx (Oryx beisa), also known as the Beisa occurs in two subspecies, Common Beisa Oryx (Oryx beisa beisa) found in steppe and semi-desert throughout the Horn of Africa and north of the Tana River, and Fringe-eared Oryx (Oryx beisa callotis) south of the Tana River in Kenya and parts of Tanzania. Some taxonomists consider it a subspecies of the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella), but they are genetically distinct.

East African Oryx stand just over a metre at the shoulder and weigh around 175 kilograms. They have a grey coat with a white underside, separated from the grey by a stripe of black, there are also black stripes where the head attaches to the neck, along the nose and from the eye to the mouth and on the forehead. There is a small chestnut coloured mane. The ringed horns are thin and straight. They are found on both sexes and typically a measure of 75-80 cm is considered big.

East African Oryx live in semi-desert and steppes where they eat grass, leaves, fruit and buds. East African Oryx are able to store water by raising their body temperature (so as to avoid perspiration). They gather in herds of five to forty animals often with females moving at the front and large male guarding from the rear. Some older males are solitary. Radio tracking studies show that solitary males are often accompanied for brief periods by breeding condition females, so it is probable they are executing a strategy to maximise their chances of reproduction.
mayuresh, cataclysta, robindb, eqshannon, Evelynn, jaycee, Adanac, Dis. Ac., boreocypriensis, SunToucher, goldyrs, cicindela, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello James,
This is amazing shot, very beautiful composition and lovely back-light,
very well done,
tfs

Hi James
Another great exotic place and great exotic animals. Nice low POV. Great 3 dimensional effect, quite good sharpness. Maybe it a little bit too dark.
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hi James!

Even if the scan is very noisy in the background, the main subject is sharp and well put on stage. The overall impression and atmosphere of this beautiful wildlife picture is very pleasant and your notes are instructive and interesting.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2008-08-20 3:38]

Hi James.I remember this great xperience in a kenyan parks,it's a wonderfull pic,excellents details and colors...and now welcome in my country,i hope you will like it! Luciano

Hi James,

Nicely composed slide with just enough lighting to make it interesting. I have posted a couple of images of the Gemsbok (Oryx Gazella) and although the animals shape is the same the markings are very different. Good Note!

Robin

Nicely done, James
Good light as you already mentioned.
I was thinking about a Gemsbok.
All the best in Italy.
TFS
Annick

Hi James,
Very good picture for a scanned one. Very beautiful composition with great sense of depth, good POV, sharp details and good DOF.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-08-20 5:40]

Hello James,
When it works, back light can be fantastic! Here you have used it on this Oryx flock to great effect in a superb scanned slide from your archives.
TFS and have a good trip to Italy,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-08-20 7:08]

Hi James,
well chosen from your archives. Great composition and perfect DOF, i'm also a fan of backlit cenes too1
tfs and enjoy your trip.
Paul

In concur. Back light is super..and here you had a narrow depth of field as well so your spot on light turned out in a dynamic way...Have a good trip..
Bob

Hi James,

I love the clean markings on these animals. They are "art". I also like the pattern of the parallel horns. I often wonder if those horns are as useful as they are attractive. Seems they would have to put their heads awfully low in order to inflict any damage on a rival... and in so doing they wouldn't be able to see anything but the ground.

Did you check out that Photoshop tutorial I mentioned? It really is excellent. I think I will mention it in the TN forum. I think it is free right now... didn't used to be. I just make sure I download each episode so I will have it if and when I have time to view it.

TFS
ciao,
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-08-20 10:20]

Hi James,

The lighting is magnificent. The Oryx stand out so well from the natural setting that the picture almost looks 3D. Wonderful colors and sharp sharp details. Traveling again?? Have a safe and happy trip.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-08-20 19:31]

Hello James,
Wonderful composition of this very unique species. Splendid head gear they possess. Thanks for sharing James, Safe travels.
Rick

hi James,

You've been seen a lot of the world!
Nice capute and great composition form these Oryx.

Good and hppy trip to Italy.

Gert

A superb shot of these African savana with its herbivorous members with nicely selected shalow DOF! Great document too.
TFS my friend and greetings from TRNC,
Bayram

Hi James,
Somehow this photo is a kind of miniture feeling to it. I think its caused by the shallow depth, the extreem sharp details on the Oryx and the vastness of this place.
TFS,
Niek

I was just saying what a lovely set of shots to come back to, james!
This one is so eerily perfect!A stunner of a shot!
I love the symmetry...
Cheers!
Goldy

Hello James!
Very nice capture of oryxes, you were lucky to meet so many in one place. Wonderful capture with panoramic view.
All the best,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-08-30 9:49]

Hello James,
This is a gorgeous capture of these lovely Oryx in a row and against a fine background. Very well composed and details and colours are excellent!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

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