Wildebeest Migration II Photo

Photographer’s Note

This previous post explained about the annual migration. Here is another image to try and convey just a part of the spectacle, although it’s almost an impossibility. The previous image showed most of the wildebeest fairly quiet, and many of them grazing. One thing that struck me was suddenly, one of them would set off running, and masses of them took off in pursuit. This group had just crossed the road, leaping over piles of rubble and were vanishing into the distance. I think you can tell by the colours how over-grazed this part is looking.

A single file run is in the WS.

ISO100, FL300mm

cherryripe, besnard, Tue, ChrisJ, Dyerco, jwmunro, Wandering_Dan, Photo65Net, stego, gneufeld, jusninasirun, kapt73, ktanska, syd1946, Cricri, noborders, John_F_Kennedy, ruisc_pt, cobbydale, plimrn, Emile has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cherryripe (18869) 2008-03-16 3:57

Hi Kath
Ive always been amazed seeing these migrations on tv (what a coincidence, there's a programme on right now). Your photo shows it off very well especially thanks the sharpness, the angles of the legs and the dust erupting from the ground. The contrasts are superb.
Regards
Nikki

besnard (30468) 2008-03-16 4:04

Bonjour Kath
Belle image de la période de migration et de ces gnous saisis en plein mouvement.
Merci our le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

cbrman (18786) 2008-03-16 4:13

Hello Kath,

Ces grands horizons sauvages laissent rêveurs ! Les animaux qui courent dans cette étendue donnent une photographie pleine de vie et d'action !
Joli coup d'oeil !

A+

Dominique

Tue (25608) 2008-03-16 4:24

Hi Kath,
Also this closer view shows very well the migration of the wildebeests, I think. Great action shot of all the wildebeests running away, just as the two other shots in the WS. The colours are nice too and the contrast is good between the bottom and upper half of the photo. Good photo work, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

snunney (34574) 2008-03-16 4:41

Hello Kath,
A good capture of this galloping herd. Your composition has much dynamism. Superb clarity.

mesutilgim (36581) 2008-03-16 5:02

Hi dear Kath,
Great pov ! Very nice compo full of dynamism and very good notes.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ChrisJ (69973) 2008-03-16 5:58

Hi Kath

Another fine shot of the wildebeest. I like the line up at the back. The contrast between the lively, animated abimals in the fg, & more statioary, sedate animals at the back, is excellent. Well done!

dareco (17104) 2008-03-16 6:03

Once again both of these images are amazing! It must have been so much excitement to actually BE THERE!! Fantastic pictures! TFS

Dyerco (9008) 2008-03-16 7:19

Hi Kath
Beautiful clarity and contrast here. Nobody wants to be last. Remember you don't have to outrun the lions just the guy next to you.
Nicely done.
Phil

jwmunro (6571) 2008-03-16 8:13

Hello Kath -

Seeing your photos is really getting me excited to be there later this summer. Your notes place a well founded perspective on what we are seeing in your images. I know the notes are your main focus on presenting the images and not so much the image quality or artistry. IMO - I think the WS photos would have made a better main post. This image seems to suffer from exposure that close to OE or from aggressive PP. The rumps of the animals and the rocks in the middle distance are the areas my eyes seem to focus upon. With that said we shall see how Jo and I do in August, gulp. I actually prefer WS #1, it shows us the animals in motion, places them in perspective with the landscape, we see their faces rather than rumps, and the image quality is much better (IMO), but #2 would have worked also. With that said I think you a telling a nice story and fulfilling the goals of TE by educating and informing. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

PS - please remember that all I said above is just my opinion. I still like what I see and what you went through to gather the images.

Wandering_Dan (3209) 2008-03-16 9:22

Hi, Kath -

Ah, another rump shot! I almost agree with John about the workshops - except that I think #2 shows the animals and the landscape better. #1 would have been interesting on its own rather than as an adjunct to this shot, but this way we do get to see and study all three views at once.

I don't think it suffers from over-exposure, though. Having lived in the area (Kenya), I have to say that this landscape is pretty accurately portrayed here. Over-grazing and all.

Best,
Dan

Photo65Net (43084) 2008-03-16 10:02

Kath,
Again great picture from this impressive migration.
I like a lot how you shown here the high number of animals, in a beautiful and balanced framing.
Regards,
JB.

stego (22350) 2008-03-16 12:49

Hi Kath,
It must be quite an experience, and I thank you for sharing it with us. I don't agree much with John Munro when he insinuates that the main post isn't so interesting aesthetically. Maybe on that field it isn't at the level of your landscapes, but that would nearly impossible. In fact, it's remarkable how you managed achieving good compos in these action shots. The technical details are also remarkably well cared. Perhaps John is right about the backs of the animals being on the verge of OE, but I guess that is inevitable and realistic, considering the sun shining on the almost white skins. Hats off for the sharpness on this one and, in a way, on the WS's also, as the slight blur on them aids the sense of motion already produced by the POV.
I would hesitate choosing which one should be the main post, but I'd probably choose this one.
Regards, José.

gneufeld (15159) 2008-03-16 14:00

HI Kath,
Am blown away again by the sheer numbers of wildebeests on the move here. Great capture with excellent action caught very well. Looking forward to more shots from your trip. TFS. Gerald

jusninasirun (10150) 2008-03-16 20:06

Hello Kath. Another brilliant wildebeest running wild in the open land. Nice natural perspective and thanks for sharing. Regards. Jusni

Gerrit (35593) 2008-03-17 1:26

Hi Kath,
you have made a great series overthere. Fantastic how you managed to catch the action in a perfect composition. Great work.
Regards, Gerrit

kapt73 (444) 2008-03-17 1:46

Hi Kath
thats very good timeless and amazing too
well done
zeynep

ktanska (16502) 2008-03-17 3:36

Hi Kath,
That's the way it is for the prey. No time to stop and check if there's a real danger. Multitude of wildebeest well presented. But my choice is WS #1 showing motion well on sideways direction. I like the WS #2 too, although it's a little less sharp, and the road takes away some wilderness feeling.
Kari

sacavem (8219) 2008-03-17 4:05

Hi Kath,

Very impressing instant!
Excellent photographic moment.Beautiful image, much seen in the TV, but you were there.Good work to capture this image.
Best regards,
filipe

syd1946 (17851) 2008-03-17 6:41

Hello Kath,
Excellent action moment you captured here...It works very much as a documentary shot.I enjoy it very much together with your note which I found it very interesting!

Thomas

Cricri (43030) 2008-03-17 9:54

Hi Kath,
Compliment une belle prise du troupeau en furie, je peut presque entendre le bruit de leur "sabot"
trés jolie présentation
Have a nice evening
cricri

jonathan_hart (22570) 2008-03-17 10:12

nice wildlife capture, the contrast, light and colours are very good looking
regards
jo

noborders (14199) 2008-03-17 12:51

Hi Kath,
For once, I'll go first for the animals as their movement together, as well as the BG with great colours attracted me - not disappointed when opening the thumb, really very impressive !
Compliments,
Best regards,
Cath.

ahmetgedikli (21783) 2008-03-17 21:40

Hi Kath,
Beautiful shot! The colors, point of view and dynamic composition are very good.
Have a nice day.
Ahmet

carper (64484) 2008-03-18 0:42

fantastic shot here Kath,
the fantastic composition the good balance in the shot, the fantastic running wildebeest, very good photojob here, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

John_F_Kennedy (31167) 2008-03-18 2:29

Excellent and well-timed capture of this group of running animals. Very sharp and beautiful. Intersting also the background how all of them are standing in one row.
Best wishes,
Achim

Graal (57631) 2008-03-18 8:10

Hi Kath,
unusual image, like as painted, good shot and fine PP. I like complementary photos, too. Very nice reportage and serie.
Gr., Aleksander

LUISCOSTA (142) 2008-03-19 6:52

hi kath! You have a fantastica composition of a great experiencia... to detach the luminusidade as the framing...

crckt (7072) 2008-03-19 12:17

Hi Kath,
Fascinating shot! Yet again. Even though these animals are running, the shot shows absolutely no blur. Quite remarkable.
Well done,
Shaeri

cobbydale (1924) 2008-03-21 4:08

This is a great composition, I really like the way the beasts are positioned in the shot. I did notice myself something not quite right around the backs of the animals before I read jwminro's and Jose's comments - not sure if it's to do with the sharpness or the brightness - but really that's quite a minor point to me on this excellent shot.
cheers, and have a great Easter weekend
Leon

plimrn (19596) 2008-03-22 15:24

Hi Kath,
The sharpness and detail is impeccable - and the light management superb and under the most difficult of circumstances.
I love the action here, it really conveys the thundering herd well - it reminds me of stories about buffalo on the plains of my country. I find it amazing that such a poor continent has been able to maintain its wildlife population so much better than we did.
HLJ, Pat

coco (27754) 2008-03-24 14:55

Hi Kath.

The WS and the main photo are impressive and I love them.
It is not only the photo, is also the subject. Your photos from Tanzania are, all of them, absolutly impressive.

Congratulations and thanks for share.

Emile (19881) 2008-04-07 23:15

Hola Kath.
Another great photo of the Wildebeest migration, very well captured from behind, very good colors contrast and POV. Sharpness is good, also your frame is very good, your WS are great. Well done. TFS.
Best regards.

gunbud (27755) 2009-01-01 20:28

Hi Kath,
Wonderful shot of these lovely herd animals kicking up dust on the broad savanna.
Love how the horizon meets the silver blue African sky.
Regards, Tom