Shell Photographer of the year 2007

I think it looks awesome. But what do I know.
 
... the elephant not the cats arse! :D
 
The more I look at it the more I like it. It is something different and it IMO is proper 'art'. It's something you can see hanging pride of place on someone's wall.

Without alienating a lot of people on this board, too many of us (that includes me) think, for example, a garden bird standing on a branch with the background blurred is a really good shot. It may be a good shot but it's almost exactly the same as the other million and one photos of the same type of bird sitting on the same type of branch.

That elephant isn't, it's something totally different, instead of documenting something perfectly clearly (he could have zoomed out and got the entire elephant in, but then it would look like the other million and one 'elephant in waterhole' shots) he decided to show the action in a different way. I think a lot of us have a problem differenciating between 'documentary' shots and 'Art', something maybe we need to sort out. :)
 
I am really glad I kicked this off, my general thought was that it was a fairly average shot. I have looked at this for a long time and on many occasions to try and make me change my mind, but I just can't.
I have indeed produced the 'typical' landscape, or the typical animal shot and think every now and then I produce a half tidy shot - Yet this comes along and I think well hmmm - Back to the drawing board then?
Yep this shot conveys movement, size, timing colour etc, but I genuinely don't get it..Yep it is different to the standard image of elephants in waterholes, but in my opinion, these shots taken by Steve Bloom are in a different league...

http://www.stevebloom.com/index.php?page=results

Oh well...Guess I'll just have to go back to Africa and try again ! :lol:
 
Sorry, I just re-read my post and it did sound a bit like "you're wrong and rubbish, here's why..."

I was just trying to point why I like it, because it is so different from the norm. Everyone likes different things, obviously, and my first thought when I saw it was the same as most of the people in this thread, but looking at it again I do quite like it. :)

Steve Bloom (from looking at his website) doesn't seem to do shots like the above, although I agree he has some beautiful shots. I think the main reason that shot won the comp. was probably because it was so different.
 
chewyuk there are some beautiful shots of the elephant there.

I think they grab me, because I envisage an elephant as this massive cumbersome machine of an animal, yet when shot from this angle in water I really see it from another perspective, where it transforms to this elegant dainty being that could thread a dainty needle with it's trunk alone...

Plus IMO the breathing space and vibrancy of the light really seems to add to this feeling of elegance.

That is the power of the lens (or more so the person behind it) IMO.

Thanks for sharing.


p.s. Please forgive me if I come across patronising/obvious, it's not my intention at all, my mates always rib me for being a nobber at times. ;)
 
It's very hard for me to look openly at this thread. I'm passionate about people being able to voice their opinions about subjects, especially when it comes to our interpretation of art. I am also fiercely defensive of my friends and I make no apology for it.

I do love that elephant shot of Ben's and while it's a unique image it is quite indicative of his style if shooting. I've had the pleasure of shooting with him a few times and it's no secret that he's not the most technically clued up snapper working out there. He is a very talented naturalist though and this combined with a very off key eye for a shot makes him a step apart from all the other wildlife specialists. Whether that's a step up, down or just sideways is all dependent on whether the images work for the individual looking.

The winner of the wildlife snapper of the year award is always contraversial, perhaps that's the way they like it to be. Perhaps it will just always be that way as the variety in styles is so vast.

When I look at that shot, I can hear the splash of the water and feel the joy of the elephant at play. It takes me to the moment in a way that a clear and factual shot couldn't possibly do. :)
 
I think its great personally, then again I think the 'rules' are all stupidly restricting anyway.
 
Dazz - No problem at all mate.

It's not my favourite, but that's absolutely no reason for it not being yours. Nice to have a mate as Shell Tog of the year !!

I prefer the work of Steve Bloom, which shows an elephant in a completely different light, the one of his feet swimming in the water is just sublime, but that's exactly why I started this thread ...
Just trying to understand the shot and the tog already helps me and perhaps others interprete it.
Hopefully helps to make me a better photographer.
 
Hopefully without coming across as some kinda scifi geek....

Infinite diversity in infinite combinations. :thumbs:

Nice to have a mate as Shell Tog of the year !!
Click to expand...
It has been said he was just copying a shot of mine. ;):lol:
There are many folks that are just thrilled to bits for him. A more modest and deserving winner I can't imagine.
 
The very fact it has a good number of you up in arms makes it a winner for me.
 
Another vote of praise. I really like it - the sense of movement and scale of the animal is captured in the crop. Excellent.
 
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