Baby Elepahant at Wild Animal Park, San Diego

Tee Why

Well, actually they have two, the youngest one being 3 weeks old from what I hear. Mostly shot at 500mm with the bigma. Don't know why, but baby elephants always look like they are smiling. A real crowd pleaser with lots of "Ooo" and "Aaahs" from the people.
1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7. some other animals.


8.


whole gallery is here, c/c welcome.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/2650346/1/140744366#140744366

ChrisJ

This is a really nice set, Tom. Though you didn't actually post my favorite.

It looks like the lighting was tough. Some of the B&W conversions make their skin look "wrong" to me (like #2), but it might just be the dirt/mud they were covered in. I love the composure in #5. Very nice light on this one, too.

I read in the paper today that they replaced the monorail with a tram. Was it better like the article said? The monorail kept you a long way from the animals.

Tee Why

It was the lighting and the processing. The babies are in the shadow of the mom so in the harsh light, you can either over expose the mom/background or underexpose the baby. I selected out the babies to lighten them and add contrast to make them stick out more.

I remember the monorail from a long time ago and I rode the tram. From a photographers stand point, it's not worth is as the tram is bouncy and you still can't get close enough to the animls to shoot, except the giraffes who come by to check out the tram. I think it's closer but it's more for non photogs. If I had to do it again, I'd skip it and spend more time at the other exhibits.

ShepsMom

Beautiful!!! Baby elephants are just soooo cute! I like B&W, great choise. But the last picture of the lion is about the best!! You difenately nailed that one, love his face, outstanding!!!

Harryb

Excellents et

Phyxius

Great post and while the baby elephants certainly are cute....my favorite shot is this one:
Thanks for posting (great advertisement for the Bigma too. I should have mine before September : )

CookieS

AWHhhhhhh, How sweet and the lion is magnificent great light shining thru his eyes, I would love to hear your BW conversion method. i like the effect .

sskoutas

I think the use of light and post processing on the first three is outstanding. As others have pointed out, the Lion pondering the meaning of life is quite a nice capture too. Well done.

Tee Why

CookieS wrote:

AWHhhhhhh, How sweet and the lion is magnificent great light shining thru his eyes, I would love to hear your BW conversion method. i like the effect .

I generally use Canon's DPP to convert from RAW to JPEG but with tough lighting like the harsh lighting at the zoo, I prefer RawShooter Premium for it's noise reduction and ability to pull more detail out, especially from highlights.

However, RSP has poor colors that are inacurate and muddy.

So I used RSP to desaturate, then pull the details out. Then I convert to JEPG. In DPP, I use a RGB curves to add a little red for warmth and decrese the blue to again make it more black and add what feels like texture to me. Another touch of the luminosity curve in DPP and some dodge/burn in Photoshop elements.

It's actually very quick. If you have Canon products, I'd recommend trying out the DPP. It's curves/level and sharpening tools are really powerful.

Tee Why

Phyxius wrote:

Great post and while the baby elephants certainly are cute....my favorite shot is this one:
Thanks for posting (great advertisement for the Bigma too. I should have mine before September : )

Thanks, in all honesty, I believe Tamron 200-500 and the Sigma's 80-400 are a bit sharper than the bigma. Of course where the bigma trumps all other supertelephoto zoom is in it's range and versatility. I like to think it's more patience, timing, and technique.

Tee Why

Some of my other fav. animal face portraits. From LA zoo, with the bigma of course.
1. Orangatan behind bars.


2. Proud Tiger


3.Lion


4. Sad Lioness


5. Rhino in need of dental care.


6. crying hippo


7. Bear with a celery problem

Chrissiebeez_NL

wow! these photo's are stunning! and i bet your good at Photoshop as well?
truly fantastic! hope to be as good one day

Tee Why

Photoshop?
I still use a Photoshop elements 2 that I think I bought in 2004.

ShepsMom

I love all of your images. I'm in love with lioness, what a great shot! thumb