Face-to-face with a Hog Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is basically my first experiment with the new 12-24mm Sigma lens I bought recently.

We were at the Rhino and Lion Reserve outside of Johannesburg recently, when I came across this Warthog feeding. Note the way it kneels on its front knees while it forages for food. So I stuck the Nikon in its face and took this shot without looking through the viewfinder.

Shot taken at 19mm, at -0.3 EV.

More info on Warthogs:

1. Appearance: As a member of the pig family, it has a naked skin with sparse, long bristles. A characteristic feature of Warthogs is the protruding curved tusks, which in boars grow into formidable weapons. These tusks are used to dig up roots, which all Warthog relish. Boars stand 680mm high and weigh 80 Kg. Sows are smaller at a height of 600mm and an average mass of 57 Kg. Wartlike tubercles on the large, flat head is another distinctive feature of this animal. A tuft of hair at the end of the thin tail, is very visible when the tail is held erect during running.

2. Diet: They feed mainly on grass and roots, but also take bulbs, fruits, carrion, insects, scorpions, earthworms, centipedes and bones.

3. Behaviour: Warthogs are day animals and spend most of their time looking for food. They are normally found in family groups. Warthogs have the peculiar habit of kneeling on the front knees while feeding and foraging in a localised area. They shelter in burrows at night, which they enter tail first. Socially, three main groups are encountered, namely solitary boars, bachelor groups and matriarchal groups.

Galeota, eleparc, carper, jhonny_blue, jhm, jrj, danyy, nwoehnl, summer89, joseelias, orme, Jeppe, lucbus, PLD_images, OT12 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Galeota (10329) 2004-06-24 3:12

Excelent Henry. It's definitely not a BIRD!!!! F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C*

eleparc (24059) 2004-06-24 3:34

superb shot; i wondered if it belonged the wild hoar family and was aggresive but i understand that not... great shot!

manny (21378) 2004-06-24 3:34

Well, Henry... a good first experiment with your new lens. Is that a macro lens?

I like the inclusion of the sky here. Very good DOF...it make the shot more dramatic.

carper (63877) 2004-06-24 4:23

Hij is ook prachtig Henrie,
Goede foto, goede kleuren en op de juiste manier genomen, mooie diepte, good job

jhonny_blue (4938) 2004-06-24 5:12

Your picture is excelent, but the animal is ugly !
Very good colours and sharp.
Very well done.

jhm (81589) 2004-06-24 6:23

Again great photograph Henry, I learn every day something by your beautiful photograph Henry, you are great a photographer, all these beautiful animals and always that good text. Congratulations!

jrj (34777) 2004-06-24 6:25

Extra plus for the closeness of your shooting position. Impressive, and a good perspective from the wide angle. Very good henry.

nwoehnl (118) 2004-06-24 13:42

Well, this guy sure fills a frame, Henry. Good job "sticking the Nikon in its face" and a very impressive, almost dramatic, result you got. It was good to include the bit of sky and vegetation as they nicely balance all the earthy brown tones. Not the prettiest of models, but certainly another fine shot ;-)

cdewet (0) 2004-06-24 13:45

Henry, I will have to get one of those lenses too! Nice compo, especially as ypou did not frame.
BTW. this is : meals on wheels, leopard, lion favouites.

avigur_11 (21271) 2004-06-24 18:14

I hope that you were not so close to him, they might be very very dangerous. This is very god and sharp shot, Henry. Excellent crop and a very good frame.

summer89 (5414) 2004-06-25 6:26

Great close-up Henry,

It's danger to take photo like this.

Well done

joseelias (367) 2004-07-01 8:17

The clarity and details in the animal head is fantastic as well the colors. Also like the POV with an "in your face" composition. Just would ask for more DOF.

orme (6741) 2004-07-14 6:19

A fantastic shot, Henry. The detail is just incredible. I like the way you have filled the frame. Well captured.

Jeppe (18623) 2004-08-26 16:47

Thanks for reminding me of the word "Wart" - yes I can see how this fellow got hes Danish name as well (direct translated) - a very strange looking animal this "Pumba" wellknown for most kids from a Disney cartoon - a very fine capture Henry - I like the blow af dust from hes mouth - add extra to the image.

dsidwell (9745) 2004-09-14 9:38

Once again, the point of view really brings us close and personal with this animal. Colors and tones are interesting and inviting. I kind of wish the whole animal were in sharp focus, but a wonderful image, Henry!

PLD_images (7141) 2005-10-12 19:49

Hey buddy,

I just saw a critic of yours on a photo by David. What a suprise to see you back.... I was also absent for about six months, during your year of absence.

I hope to see more of your images, I miss them.

So still riding on BWM's?

Oh yeah, great shot here....

lucbus (11) 2005-10-12 19:51

Hi Henry.

I like your perspective for taking that shot, The head of the warthdog is emphasized. The clarity of the photo is great so are the colors. Great shot.
Luc