White Rhino Gladiators

After many, may safari trips, I have found that getting a good shot of the eyes of rhino is a real challenge. One almost NEVER gets the white of the eye. Normally, shots only have the eyes as a black blob, so I was particularly excited when I got this shot with both rhinos having nice open eyes. This shot was taken during a November 2022 safari in Timbavati Private Reserve which is adjacent to and a fenceless border to Kruger National Park in South Africa. To get the shot, I attached my OM-1 and 40-150mm lens to a monopod which I then inverted and slowly lowered over the side of the game drive vehicle. I then focused and fired the camera using a wireless remote. One challenge is that I have to guess at amount of zoom before lowering which wasn't easy as these guys were moving all around while jousting. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the shot.

Can't argue with that outcome
Beautiful photo. You managed that very nicely IMO.

That would have been quite an encounter

buddy4344 wrote in post #19463293
After many, may safari trips, I have found that getting a good shot of the eyes of rhino is a real challenge. One almost NEVER gets the white of the eye. Normally, shots only have the eyes as a black blob, so I was particularly excited when I got this shot with both rhinos having nice open eyes. This shot was taken during a November 2022 safari in Timbavati Private Reserve which is adjacent to and a fenceless border to Kruger National Park in South Africa. To get the shot, I attached my OM-1 and 40-150mm lens to a monopod which I then inverted and slowly lowered over the side of the game drive vehicle. I then focused and fired the camera using a wireless remote. One challenge is that I have to guess at amount of zoom before lowering which wasn't easy as these guys were moving all around while jousting. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the shot.

Fantastic shot! I don't think you could have done better if you were laying on the ground.

avondale87 wrote in post #19463404
Can't argue with that outcome
Beautiful photo. You managed that very nicely IMO.

That would have been quite an encounter

Thanks. It was a new technique for me.

sogs wrote in post #19463472
Fantastic shot! I don't think you could have done better if you were laying on the ground.

Thanks. I. Probably not going to lay on ground this close to a rhino.

Spectacular, love it!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #19464695
Spectacular, love it!

Thanks. It was my fav of this trip.