This seemingly impossible vantage point of a huge bull elephant was taken at a brilliantly designed photographic blind in the South African bush. It was constructed below ground level, and the small pond that attracts animals in this arid region is seen from water level in comfortable chairs. My photo tour group photographed through one-way glass, and we had to wear black or very dark clothing, speak in no more than a whisper, and all the interior lights -- including cell phones, etc -- had to be turned off. That way the animals didn't know we were there. The distance from the elephant to me was an astonishing 10 feet, and I took this picture with a 24mm focal length. Admittedly, sitting so close to a 13,000 pound pachyderm was both intimidating and exhilarating. It was hard to believe this was possible. In all of my trips to Africa (probably about 25 by now), this experience was the most incredible. I took this picture in low light about 30 minutes before dark, and my settings were 1/160, f/7.1, and 6400 ISO. I had to replace the sky because in exposing for the shadow side of the elephant, the sky became blown out.
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