liked the composition and patches of light just in right areas, Arati.
Lovely narration and agree with all what you said about these giants.
A little bit of more sharpening could have brought out the texture and eye details little more in lighted areas.

Thanks Samyak... when i was working on this image, i spent a lot of time thinking about sharpening or going the other direction... i decided to add some noise to the image and go the other direction, giving only a hint of the details... just a choice i could easily have done the opposite! And maybe i should and see what develops.

thanks,
A

If ever there will be an Asian elephant book, this image HAS to be in it, very very unique, I have seen many takes like this but this hits your senses strongly. Excellent play of light and loved reading the story. The silence through which a large animal moves in the forest is something which I have experienced time and again and this image reiterates that character of this giant. To sharpen or not will clearly be a point in this thread, as of now no nits for me.

Amazing image, Arati. The story and the image warm up the heart. I like the abstractness in the way you presented the image: it gives an impression of being larger than life yet very much a part of it. TFS.

Arati, how old are you dear ?? , No, am serious about this, you take it from me that if you spoil your talent then I would become your worst enemy in life . Now let's push our imaginations a bit further. I have completely understood the maturity of the mind which can create an image like that, I envy that at your age, I could not even dream of anything close to it. Let us imagine an elephant in similar conditions again sometime in future. Now what do we look for ? For a long time it has been dream for me that I want to make an elephant image with impressions of the shape of the leaves formed on the head or the trunk in the form of a shadow. The feel of the forest would come from those shadows falling on the elephant you know. Go , make that image one day dear, I really want it to be yours as you deserve it more than I do, I can promise that if I get a chance, I will not make the image anymore as perhaps you will make it much better than I can . Now with the kind of people we have in CNP, I can only say , nothing is impossible. Am so very proud of you. God bless you and all the best wishes for now and in the future.....My God, these kids, where will you all stop ??? .

mind blowing image Arati it has me mesmerised.. been gaping at it all evening..

just love it !!

The word 'art' is my critique for images like this. Regarding the discussion on whether to sharpen or not I tend to think it suits as is. This image in my mind has a philosophic note which might get diluted by sharpening. Sharpened image will make our eyes spend more time on the details but as presented eyes get done quite quickly and mind takes over the image. It is that latter phase of the looking through the mind makes this image very strong - at least in my brain. Your description of of the event is very nice too. We become so small in comparison. I had a similar experience in past. Here is a note I wrote long ago.

We are proud to have you all as part of CNP. The kind of quality and originality we see these days is immense. Looks like the vision we had for CNP is indeed achievable !! Thanks for sharing Arati.

arati....i now see ur art and stories...converging to create the magic..what a delight....all that could be said will be limiting to this image...IMO.

This is brilliant . . love everything about it.

Wow... Wonderful image! The soft light adds to the softness of the image.. so i prefer it exactly as it is! Just superb!!!

Hi folks,
am totally overwhelmed by your response to this image. i can only say that my emotions towards this particular individual (called Junius and living in Yala, Sri Lanka) has allowed me to make this image.

Vijay, thanks so much for the encouraging words. The silence of Junius as he moved i have captured on video soon after making the stills. it was truly beautiful. Am glad you think this image captures that silence.
Nilanjan-da, i wish i were a kid BUT i certainly feel like one and act like one, at most times - Neelu, radha will attest to that! i have also dreamt of that exact same type of image you describe. this is the closest so far, and i will stay awake for more opportunities. am blown away by your kind words and steadfast encouragement - thank you!
Ganesh, i read your note. So you have felt it too. that humbling feeling of awe at these wondrous creatures. inspiring, isnt it? I am so happy that you might consider an image like this, art. i am still trying to find my bearings here - and your comments & guidance always help me a lot. Thank you.
Saravana, Debiprakash, Neelu, Sriram, Radha, and Ramesh, thank you so much

A

simply mindboggling portrait, arati. love the way just minimal light render this humble giant. noise 'n little unsharpness pushes deeper in the realm of art. wonderful embedded prose, as usual.

tfs. regards.

This is a wonderful creation. I have to reiterate Ganesh's word here, these days quality and originality of creations have been expnentially increasing on CNP. Thanks for a joyful creation Arati.
-RD

The way the elephant comes into being from darkness is what I really love here. This image is playing with our visual senses here and I can almost feel the elephant dissolve into darkness again. Maybe thats why I would go against sharpening this image. Its perfect the way it is. A lovely candidate for a blowup canvas print
Nice seeing and execution