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Absolutely Awesome

I just love the effect of the ghost lions.

I agree great effect!!

ecojunkie
the second photo is much better.
Well done to you and Andy on those "ghost shots"

Yes I agree a camera must be with you at all times

@EJ: nice shot, it came out quite nicely. You might want to crop it a bit? I take a lot of photos in other low-light situations with rear-curtain flash, which can have interesting effects in shots like yours. However I do understand its not so nice to be flashing animals at night.

This one taken n foot, with ellie coming full tilt. Is there a "place" for really difficult shots like these. No tripod, vehicle etc.

In your photo album?
Seriously, I think that the reason that photo is important for you is because its part of a story. Its hard to convey that from the photo alone. The photo by itself is, in my opinion, unremarkable (which I think you feel too, by asking if such photos have a place). Maybe as part of a trip report or photo album etc, it will have more impact?

The other issue I think is that its quite a 'static' photo. Its hard to get a sense of the danger or proximity of the situation, just from the photo.

I'm not sure I'd deliberately put myself in the same situation to try out different techniques though

Believe me, nobody puts themselves in the situation on purpose. I do agree with your views on the photo though.

My 5 million Zim $$ criticism...what happened to the elie's legs and the elie is behind a tree?

Scipio, I'm joking...I love action photos!!

TH, it was me behind the tree, the ellie didn't really care. The legs, well I couldn't fit all of him in the frame.

Hi Scipio

I just love the shot of the ellie..it really talks to me.
It tells me you were pretty close to the ellie..and even though it is trying to hide behind the tree it is very much in your face. The rather menacing pose of this ellie conjures up another picture in my mind...of you quaking in your boots.
So yes..there is definitely a place for this photo

Thanks Caracal, although I was not quaking in my boots,(Only) there were some other, rather worse movements in my bowels for a moment or two.

But I do go out on foot a lot and have a few scars for the effort. Ellies are very intelligent, had one sneaking up on ma at a waterhole. I left camera on tripod & he just tenderly moved it a bit to the side. Getting my new cam in a few hours, then I will try again.

Well yes I guessed that as well ..as I said that photo told me a really good story.

I have a good few action shots, maybe start a new thread.

Caracal, I was well out o the way by then, hiding behind a 2 foot Mopani bush. You couldn't see me with the best Binoc's. But till now, lost one lens, a pair of glasses, and a few kg's in weight in hasty restreats.