This was an image that I wanted to put n the September Free Study, but I chose a sunset over Prom Thep Cape instead. Now this is my second chance to submit it and I am going with.
This image was taken at an Elephant Trek in Phuket, Thailand. The Elephant was chained by the foot under its overhang and thrown food to eat. People coudl donate money to purchase bananas to feed the Elephants. This particular trek site was acutally a rehab center for Elephants that were abused in the labor camps in Thailand. Despite the fact that the goal is to treat the elephants better than they are treated in the labor camps, I still found it sad that these magnificant creatures are tied up like this and not given the opportunity to roam as they should.
I think the chain around the foot is a powerful statement of CAPTIVITY. This is an animal that yearns to walk free amongst the prairies with its family and instead it is pimped out to the countless tourists that will visit Phuket each year.
I don't have high hopes for this iamge. I am afraid that it will get lost in this challenge with everyone's best shots fo the year, but it is a photo that I have wanted to share. If I can reach a 6 with this I wil be happy, but in reality I predict only a 5.3XXX. My prediciton is based on the fact that this image is more emotive than beautiful and I have found that emotive is not always what wins on this site.
I went with the Black and White because I think it added to the drama and impact of the image. I used Alien Skin Exposure in order to simulate the look of BW film. I am happy with the contrast and the detail in the skin of this beautiful animal.
*Post Challenge*
First off I can't thank everyone enough for the kind comments and votes. I really didn't expect this image to do this well, and it is an honor to be rated so high in a challenge with such master pieces. congratulation to the winners for your placements, and to everyone for your exceptional photos! Really some magnificant photos that really show the talent of all of you.
I am glad this photo did as well as it did. I was afraid that people woudl view it and not want to rate it high because it wasn't pretty, or wasn't a shot that you wanted to study. I am glad to see that you all looked past that and voted on the photo itself.
As for the statement it says, all I can is I am sorry if I stirred a negative reaction in some. More so in this photo that I am sorry for my desparation shot.
Again, thank you to all and best of luck in 2008!
Statistics
Place: 14 out of 484 Avg (all users): 6.9424 Avg (commenters): 8.4583 Avg (participants): 6.8833 Avg (non-participants): 7.1111 Views since voting: 3772 Views during voting: 395 Votes: 243 Comments: 41 Favorites: 14 (view)
congratulations for this wonderful image Ben!! Il like the title and the duotone processing as well.
I think it had a good chance to ribbon in a regular free study.
Incredibly powerful image. I just had to come back to see if you had shared the story behind this one, so thank you for taking the time to share it. This close up shot makes so much more of an impact than if you had just shown us the entire elephant. I'm sad that this shot was even available for you to capture, since it just isn't fair to this magnificent creature, but I thank you for taking the time to capture this and share it with all of us. Congrats on a fantastic score and placing in the challenge!
A powerful photograph, that certainly gets home its message. Technically good, too, but it is the simplicity of composition that has greatest impact for me. Worthy of a 9.
This is a fairly compelling image, I must say. The chains are so huge and stark looking that, along with the title, it really hits you. I must say that about 90% of the time, the title on images doesn't really "tie into" the image for me, but here it is integral. Very creative thought process also, zeroing in on this, where most people would just make a shot of the whole creature.
Awww. . .sniffle sniffle. The whole captivity thing makes me so sad -- even tho I love to photograph the animals. This photograph is beautiful. I love that grungy processing. It's perfect.
wow wee! This is the most powerful image i have seen in a very long time!! Pretty much perfectly executed, the crop and exposure are spot on. Not really much more to add. It's a 9 from me
Good statement and great title for this. They are such beautiful and powerful creatures and it's a shame how they are treated in parts of the world. 10 from me..:)
www.elephantnaturepark.org - a happy place free from abuse for elephants
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
