Elephant in B&W

Madikwe Game Reserve

(Nikon D300, Sigma 50-500 @ 120mm, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 200)

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This morning we sat watching a small herd of elephants as they slowly moved through the thickets.  With the overcast skies casting a very soft diffused light the scene was tranquil, almost romantic.  There is no doubt that golden morning sun is fantastic for wildlife photography but some scenes just beg to be shot in black and white as was the case with the youngster in the image above.  Even before I clicked the shutter I knew that I wanted to create a monochrome image from the scene.  The soft light gave the texture of the skin a lot more contrast and the wet grass seemed soft and dreamy.

I recently read that there are three ‘versions’ of every image you create.   The first is the image you have in mind.  The story you want to tell.  The second is the one you capture with your camera and the last is the one you process in your digital darkroom.  By working on and getting better at the last two you will get closer to the first one.  Closer to creating the images you see.  So, after shooting the image I processed the RAW file in CS4 which ultimately got me back to the image I saw originally.  Entire photographic ‘process’ in three easy steps.

More soon.

Gerry