Zebra's under the clouds.

[sanjayfg]

Click here for the higher resolution version!

Shooting data: 5d2. 24-105mm at 40mm. Iso 800. f4. 1/100. Flash. Etosha, near chodu waterhole.

Another experiment. Please do comment, I need to know if this 'unnatural' feel works. I mean is the use of flash ok for dramatic purpose?
Thx.

[liewwk]

this is one amazing capture ..

[John001]

Love the sky, not sure about the flash. It does not look quite right to me. I am also not sure about the ethical aspect, these animals are resting and flight animals may be stressed in this situations like this.

[sanjayfg]

John I endorse your concern but the flash does not make ANY difference (that I could sense) whenever I have used it in day or night. But I will watch out for this very carefully in future. I appreciate your comment.

Liewwk: THANKS....

[Jon]

Sanjay - it works for me! I may be tempted to tone down the highlights just a little but I think it is a great idea and I love the composition.

[hauti]

very dramatic sky it is Sanjay! what a powerful impact !
Stunning shot ! a delicate crop from top and it'll be perfect.
About the flash it allows us to see zebras so it's ok.

[John001]

At the risk of starting another debate I can-t agree with you Hauti just because you get to see the Zebras does not mean it is OK. Flight animals like zebras and horses do one of two things run like hell or freeze. Just because they do not move it does not mean they are not stressed by something that is most unnatural. I have horses and have studied them for many years, in fact I have had two abused horses (starved and beaten) and spent hundreds of hours sitting in fields watching their behaviour. Sanjay- thanks for thinking about it in the future.

[sanjayfg]

Yes John I will carefully watch out for it and if I get the slightest hint that it disturbs ANY animal I will stop using it. But as of now my gut feel is that no animal bothers with it and i suspect that it is much less of a disturbance compared to a jeep full of tourists tailing that pride of lions...

And this is a healthy debate amongst us responsible naturalists...

[mackay123]

Lovely shot Sanjay, it's always a pleasure to see your africa shots, I love the wildlfe/landscape mix you often bring.
From an image point of view maybe the flash is just a tad bright/unnatural?, maybe it's not ideal but from an image point of view I still think this all works very well.
from an ethical point of view.......it's all been said, but I do think that John is right on this one, but that's not to say I don't trust your judgement too
Very cool shot, thanks for sharing (and please keep sharing these beautiful africa shots of yours )

[hauti]

I also was writing bout the photo not ethics. Maybe i haven't put my thoughts with proper words but English it's not my native language so excuse me.

[John001]

Adam - fair enough! I reckon people on this forum whose English is not their first language do pretty well, I would not know where to start in Polish. (Come to that I am not much better in Swedish and I live there!)

[sanjayfg]

Steve, I had posted a shot of a bird taking off and you has asked me if I used 'highlight/shadow" tool. I have been trying to get you to tell me how did you know.. Can you PLEASE find time to tell me. I am very curious... Thx.

[prakash subbanna]

Very good Zebrascape...Regards.

[francesco sestili]

I think your experiment succeeded.

[Juza]

Congratulations Sanjay! This photo has been chosen as "Birds and Wildlife" Photo of the week !