Giraffe Family, Ivy Safaris, South Africa

I wish someone more knowledgeable than I would look at this in the large view and tell me what they think is going on in the two lower corners and with the necks of the two giraffes on the right. To my eye, that is far more than a nit.

First thing which took my attention was the 'different' framing and that is bad in my book. After I considered the reasoning, and saw no reason for it, for the framing I started to look at the animals, briefly.

Who cares about the mat? It's not an integral part of the picture. Just imagine the picture without it if you don't like it.

I do find that there's some visual confusion associated with the two giraffes on the right (I'm not the first to mention it). However, I notice that this confusion seems to abate when you look at the picture very large, so maybe that's the solution (i.e., print it big, which isn't so bad).

It does look a little too light and washed out overall. As for the odd appearance of something or other in the lower left and right corners, could it be . . . bokeh in the bush?

"Who cares about the mat? It's not an integral part of the picture."

I agree with this and I don't. How one PRESENTS their work has always been part of the process--especially when there is a deliberate choice that has been made.

Stephen, I don't think the corner looks odd to me, at any size. It is just specular highlights that are out of focus. In the large size, they are a bit reminiscent of the old mirror lenses that created donuts in these cases. Here, we know that isn't what was used and is probably just a result of the nature of the objects creating these shapes/highlights.

I agree with Stephen. The corners look kind of funky, perhaps as a result of something that was done in an attempt to fix some deficiency in the picture.

But overall, the giraffes are reasonably well photographed and come across rather sweetly.

I looked at the larger version before I made my original comment on it, and sure, I see some textural differences in the two giraffes on the right...in their necks.

So what? What's the big deal about it? It's noticeable, but not overwhelmingly so. Does it wreck the photograph? In my opinion, no. Plus, it isn't a studio shot, so the photographer can't go back and shoot it again. So why beat it to death?

I think that Stephen's summation best describes my reaction to Mr. Wilson's photograph. I do find the giraffes expressions charming and the triangular subject placement pleasing to the eye. Their eye contact, while somewhat predictable, is a bonus. I have no objections to the black and white conversion but agree with (I think one of the Johns) that it appears a bit flat and might have been more engaging if it were in color, even if that color was subtle.

I definitely think that the big giraffe's prongs are a bit too close to the top of the frame. I'm neutral on the frame, itself, since I didn't even notice it until someone else mentioned that it was there. Unfortunately, fellow photonet member and frequent POTW recipient Marina Cano has set the bar pretty high for wild African animal photography and while I find this a worthy effort, when compared to the library of her images I have in my memory, this one strikes me as an exemplary safari photograph that is a little lacking in soul.

I don't see anything out of place in the corners although the out of focus area at bottom left seems a little muddy and distracting. I think the change in texture in the smaller giraffes' necks is a product of the out of focus twigs in the foreground that fall between the lens and their fur. If this is a manipulated effect, I think the author did an admirable job with his post-processing because I can't identify it as a manipulation.

For me the two heads on the right conflict with each other. The cactus plant intrudes on the giraffes's body at left. At first glance it's a pleasing comp

Charles:
Congratulations on the POW. I think you got a great capture; I like the composition and the high-key treatment. However, I am bothered by by appears to be a lack of detail. Quite honestly, I took a look at your portfolio, and your work in general appears to be impressive. In my opinion, the POW is not the strongest image you have posted.
My best,
michael

If the photographer photographed a two-headed giraffe he is on to something. Otherwise it is not quite the decisive moment. The virtual frame really is dreadful, now that someone has called attention to it.

There seems to be some criticism of the tight framing at the top. Personally, I see it as a point in the photograph's favor, and not just because I often shoot with a "fill the frame" technique. I feel it emphasizes the subject more and keeps the viewer's eye from wandering all around the frame, especially if other compositional elements don't really contribute to the shot.

There are some here who are critical of the foliage in the foreground, and the way some of it obscures parts of the giraffes. Well, if the photographer had zoomed out, there would probably be even more in the foreground, drawing the viewer's eye even more away from the three subjects...or, to use a more popular word, distracting the viewer. And maybe the photographer wanted to bring the horizon closer to the top of the frame, maybe to eliminate an overly bright sky...who knows? If you're shooting on location, you often don't get to choose your foregrounds and/or backgrounds, especially if you're on a somewhat time-limited safari type tour. So I don't think it makes much sense to criticize due to foreground elements when you don't know the circumstances of the shoot. You sort of can't have it both ways.

This photo was uploaded to p.net about 7 years ago. The photographer hasn't posted any new work in about 4 years. So I kinda don't think he's gonna show up here and explain why he made the shot as he did.

Again, I think he did a good job with it. Matter of fact, probably did it better than I could've done it.

When viewed LARGE, this photo has an absolutely terrific 3D quality that negates any flatness of the B&W contrast observed in the smaller view. Well done!

http://www.charleswilson.co.za/

I think this is the photography website of the same Charles Wilson. (I saw a few of the same photographs on that site as are in his Photo Net gallery.)

Perhaps someone might contact him through this site to let him know that his photo was selected as a POW (or perhaps he can still be contacted through his Photo Net e-mail).

For me I would have liked a little bit more sky above the taller giraffe. Right now it feels a bit boxed in.

I agree with Alberta, has to be seen large.Good timing, nice DOF, Good PP in B/W ,and even a gentle sense of humor.
I liked it .

Wonderfully done, but I'd sure lose the "frame" - I'd rather see the image larger.