The Way We See It: elephants

Showing posts with label elephants. Show all posts

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Tip #60: Yin & Yang at the Intersection of Gear & Art

Big & Little - Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Canon 7D + 300mm f2.8L IS

The following has been written during the heat of the Nikon - Canon wars. The decades long battle is now reaching a feverish pitch as the two photo innovators have just introduced a pair of long anticipated image capture devices. Interestingly, the war is not waged between the manufacturers, but is a proxy war being fought by zealots and fanboys. Camera keepers and toy lovers unite... the battle is on.

Wonder Lake - Denali National Park, AK
Hasselblad xpan + Hasselblad 45mm f4.0 @ f16

The type of camera war to which I refer is a subset of the debate that began a millennium ago. It is the sport of the non-photographer techno-geek who prefers an argument about gear over creative expressions and the making of images. Ten years ago they argued about film v digital and prior to that, it was about the inferiority of small negatives when compared to the large. Before my time, I am almost certain that the argument was about black and white versus color, or the purity of chromes when when compared to negatives. Whatever the difference, near the core of this maddening discussion is something about theoretical limits and optimal image quality...

Black & White Colobus Monkey - Lake Navaisha, Kenya
Canon 40D + Canon 100-400mm f4.5L IS

Lost in the point and counter-point of the debate is the image, the making of art, and the expression of feeling. Yang, is the bulky intrusion that preoccupies the mind and sparks feelings of envy and inadequacy. Yang is the camera in your hand, it is both an obstacle and facilitator of your vision. Yin, is the unobtrusive and petite object. Yin is light, airy and whimsical. As with Yang, Yin can distract or enable your art. The generations long debate about the Yang you use can inhibit your Yin. Yes, your Yang is important, but seek a balance. While a little Yang goes a long way, we need to make equal room for the Yin, the creative imp in us all.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Kenya 2010 The Last Stand: New Book @ Blurb.com

The Last Stand by Bruce and Tamy Leventhal

Wildlife and nature photographs have become ubiquitous as the world embraces the digital revolution. There are so many beautiful images visible today that it is challenging, if not impossible, to produce any one picture that is truly unique or displays a level of excellence that separates itself from the work of others.

Rather than showcasing a series of bests that competes with the bests found throughout the web, this book seeks to tell a story with its words and images.

Our story is a story about place, conservation and process. "The Last Stand" is a compilation of blog posts I authored following our second trip to Africa. This book is a photo blog from a Kenyan Safari written from the perspective of an evolutionary biologist, teacher, conservationist and photographer.

We hope that our images and words inspire the adventurer in us all and the desire to protect our fragile natural resources.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Kenya 2010: Midday Light

As the saying goes... "If you can't beat 'em,... join 'em!"
You're on the trip of a lifetime, living in the moment... but the light is not your friend. What to do?
It would be all too easy to put the camera down, get discouraged, and lose that photoMoJo. Alternatively, you could throw caution to the wind and turn your bad light into an opportunity to experiment, learn, and get creative.

Harsh midday sun creates deep shadows, blown highlights, and unflattering colors. These unmanageable conditions make for great stories about the one that got away or the "impossible" conditions of the day.
Never say die... work that bad light!

Place your subject between you and the sun, stay low, and shoot for the backlight. Streams of bright sunlight can produce glowing highlights around ears, fur, or leaves. These "high-key" images are often the first to be tossed, but will occasionally make that list of cherished and interesting keepers. Don't fight the deep shadows and black blacks... leverage that lousy light and convert your raw images to black and white. Those trashy shadows now make for an interesting contrast to the bright whites. These shadows are now your friend as they make an average image into an abstract that compels your viewer to study the form and pattern.
Don't put that camera away... use that lousy light, think different, and shoot - shoot - shoot... you just might be pleasantly surprised.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Kenya 2010: The Last Stand

Francis whispered... “Hmm, that is the bad one.”

He continued... “This guy does not like people... I don’t think he is going to move. We need to wait here.”

The sun was fading. We were on the tail end of a day-long game drive and were making our way towards a tented camp on the perimeter of the Mara. I was shooting a serene elephant-scape in some sweet light, but it was time to move on.

This was another great elephant day.

During midday, we photographed lonely bachelor males meandering across the savanna. While the harsh light was a challenge to expose, I knew that black and white processing would emphasize the character of their wrinkled skin pocked by sun dried clay and mud.

While we did not have a repeat performance of elephant babes playing tug with their trunks, we were fortunate to see families traversing the Mara’s rich fields and acacia forests. You just can’t see too many elephants... there is something about the massive bodies, expressive eyes, and tender interactions that captivate the imagination.

But now,... we were face to face with the “Bad One.”

Armed rangers, charged with protecting the park’s inhabitants, were now between us and it. Francis whispered again, “That one will tip their truck... he does not like the Rangers.” The elephant moved closer, and the Rangers threw their car in reverse. The truck ran scared as the Rangers violated their own rules, rules that would cost Francis his license if he were to follow. The park vehicle moved off the road, drove along the riverbed and made a wide turn around the approaching pachyderm. They were safe... we were not.

The monster seemed to be a caricature of himself... a giant bully with a torn ear, massive head, and a nasty disposition. Was it minutes or hours, I’m not sure... but we waited as he stared, approached, and stared again. I could see that Francis was assessing our limited options... reverse..., traverse..., stand our ground... We stood our ground, and the monster continued it’s approach.

We three,... Tamy, my mother, and I looked at each other. I could see the thought cloud billowing above our collective heads... Now What?... What good are those Rangers?... The elephant walked closer.

We were within ten meters of each other when Francis shifted the truck in reverse. He eased the vehicle back... we gave ground... we said “uncle.” The bully understood; he won and he knew it. Confident of his supremacy, the monster walked off the road and joined his family. Humbled by the power of the one, we drove off into the sunset and rejoiced in surviving this last stand.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Kenya 2010: The Migration North

We had spent two evenings at the Safari Club Hotel Nairobi, and were now ready to begin the bush experience we planned nearly fourteen months ago. Exiting the the bustling city during a Sunday sunrise meant that we could avoid the oppressive traffic that walled in any who dared enter its borders. With over three million people crammed into 696 km2, Nairobi is the most populous city in East Africa, and forms a Kenyan province of its own. The rules of the road appear to be defined by the moment and confound my own logic. We three are thankful for Francis, our guide, who knows the terrain like the lines on his face. His knowledge of the city and homeland seem to be embedded in his DNA as he propelled us effortlessly out of the metropolis and into the hinterland.

Our destination was 350 km to the north on paved, unpaved, and pot-holed roads. Traveling in a stretched LandCruiser, we slowly made our way from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve. During this five hour excursion, I could not avoid from comparing rural Kenya to the Tanzanian countryside we traversed in 2008. It became clear that Kenya is more “Westernized” than its neighbor to the south. While the homes and shops might be appear primitive to most from Europe and North America, the network of towns, villages and farms along the road were so numerous that it was a definite contrast to my recollections of Tanzania.

After five hours of twists, turns, bumps, and stops we arrived at the Samburu Simba Lodge. Cold towels and hot meals were waiting for us, a welcome relief from the dusty roads traveled that morning.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Kenya 2010: An Elephant Story

Is there a place for photographs in this age of the web, instant video, and live streaming?

The ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico reminds us that a moment in time, captured as a photograph, continues to have power and can invoke unanticipated emotion. While we all can watch the oil spewing from a severed pipe and imagine the consequences of this type of negligence, it is a photograph of the beached whale, oiled bird, or devastated person that ensnares our heart and mind.

There is power in the hidden story behind every still image. Rather than seeing what happens, the still requires us, the viewer, to invent the past and predict the future. This type of unknown makes for a mystery that our human brains are compelled to ponder. It is this unknown that makes pictures so captivating and thought provoking.

While life may be stranger than fiction, every picture tells a story that is narrated by the imagination in each of us. This story is defined by an untold past and an uncertain future. It is a story that is defined by the viewer, a mystery that continues to empower the still image in this post-modern age.

All of these images were taken at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi Kenya. The David Sheldrick Trust rescues baby elephants whose mothers were poached. The elephant keepers are a devoted lot. They sleep with the orphans, feed them, and teach the babies how to forage in their natural habitats. After three years of intense care and training, the elephants are released into national parks where they will form their own herd or join an pre-existing group. The orphans are tracked throughout their lives and have been known to recognize and greet their foster parents (the keepers) many years following their release into the wild.

You can learn more about the Elephant Orphanage and contribute to their cause by visiting them in Nairobi, Kenya or on online at: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Kenya 2010: Thinking of Africa

I began “The Way We See It” nearly two years ago to the day. We were waiting for our flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International and I was bored. The flight was delayed, so I began to scribble some thoughts about life, travel and photography. I was excited about our trip to Tanzania, and used this nervous energy to begin the blog.

The trip to Tanzania was pre-marital travel dream for us both; and eighteen years after declaring we’d do it, we finally made it happen. For two weeks we were in photographic nirvana; we were on an all day, every day safari. There was so much to see and so little time to take it in. In many ways, our Tanzanian Safari spoiled us. While I still enjoy studying patterns in nature near home and across the United States, nothing could possibly compare to the infinite photographic potential we found in East Africa. At the time, we thought that this trip was a one-shot deal, so we tried to make the most of it.

Fast forward two years...

Northwest Airlines is Delta, Barack Obama is President, and the United States is in the second round of the FIFA World Cup.... funny how life changes.

Yet, some things seem wonderfully familiar. We made it to the plane on time, Minneapolis to Amsterdam. I’m bored, but I’m filled with nervous energy.

Next stop... Kenya. We’re back baby, and I am really excited!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Tanzania 2008: The Migration

After spending three days in the Western Serengeti it was time for our safari party to migrate to a different region of the national park. We enjoyed our final meal at Kirawira, and piled into the Land Cruisers to head due east. If you recall your kindergarten days, you might remember playing musical chairs. Well, today we played musical Land Cruisers. After spending three full days with Joseph, Terry, Anne, and Bernice, they gave us the boot. Actually, Terry pre-planned the vehicle switch. Because there were three guides who each offered a unique perspective on the safari experience, Terry wanted us to meet and ride with each guide. Our guide, driver, and Swahili tutor was Clementh; riding shotgun was our field chef Michael. The vehicle "switcharoo" was also an opportunity to make new friends. Heidi and Mike (pictured above in an Acacia tree with Tamy and I) became our safari buddies. Much like the teens at any family reunion, it took less than an hour for the four of us to bond and descend to the depths of sophomoric humor. Being a high school teacher and one time delinquent, this was not too difficult for me!

The game drive from the west to the east allowed us to see the diversity of habitats that define the Serengeti. The west is a sea of grass. This endless savannah is dotted by the occasional acacia tree, pond, or river. During the wildebeest and zebra migration, huge herds of ungulates mow the grassy fields to the soil as they make their way towards the Tanzania - Kenya border. It is here that the newborns, weak, and injured must survive the gauntlet of predators as they cross the Mara River that separates the Serengeti from the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.

As we drove east, we could see and feel a shift in the elevation. We encountered wildlife near forests of acacias that surrounded rivers bisecting the savanah. Kopjes, rocky outcrops, emerged from the grassy plains like giant pimples on smooth skin. Here we searched for lions on granitic perches. Once again this drive offered a great opportunity to photograph a pride of lions. Although pictures "say a thousand words," no photo can describe the disgust and pain we felt for the lioness that had been caught in a snare. Pictured below, you can see her beautiful face juxtaposed by her ensnared abdomen. A tight snare, set by a poacher, enveloped the belly of this female and dug into her skin. When she walked, her stomach bulged, and when she reclined the scar of the experience was visible. Clementh explained that poachers had not intended to entrap a lion, but she was a casualty of the illegal activity. Although the snare had been removed by park rangers, the damage from the snare had already begun to impact the future of this lion.

Today initiated a ritual that would be repeated during the remaining days of our safari. Sometime after 1:00 the guides would search for a suitable tree or kopje, they would circle and inspect the area, and then they would park. Like the music that precedes a sitcom, this preceded the "Michael Show." Once we parked, tables, chairs, stoves, pots and pans would be dragged from the bowels of the Land Cruisers and assembled under the shade of a tree. Each table was coated by a table cloth, and set as if you were in an outdoor cafe. This was followed by the wash-bucket, beer, soda and appetizers. Meanwhile, Michael would fire up the stove and produce a superb meal in the bush. There were full vegetarian options, meat, breads, and of course, desserts. How he did this still remains one of the great safari mysteries of June, 2008.