The Future Looks Grim, a photo from Coast, East

Photographer's Note

Today on the news I heard that less elephants are being born each year than those being poached. Within a few short years there will be no more of these majestic and social beasts roaming the wild places on earth.

It is estimated that roughly 100,000 African elephants killed between 2010 and 2012. Shocking statistics

A kilogram of ivory can now fetch as much as $7,000 in China, where it's used for ornaments or ground up for use in traditional medicine.

I am happy to say that Namibia’s wild elephant populations are on the increase but in other places on the African continent the story is far from positive.

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/20/6045505/more-than-100000-african-elephants-have-been-killed-by-poachers-since

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2014/08/18/poaching-could-drive-elephants-extinct-in-decades/

http://savetheelephants.org/press-releases/over-100000-african-elephants-killed-in-three-years/

Here is a larger version

This photograph is copyright of Rosemary Walden - © Rosemary Walden 2014. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of the image in any form is prohibited. You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download, distribute or exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system

snunney, trevormoffiet, timecapturer, ikeharel, No_One, photographer_sg, ourania, williewhistler, carlo62, jjcordier, eldancer1, delpeoples, adores, swapankumarroy, COSTANTINO heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

jean113 (27899) 2014-08-22 5:04

Hello Rosemary, thank you for sharing the facts alongside this excellent picture of a sorry looking elephant.
The black and white served the subject well.
Regards Jean.

snunney (130967) 2014-08-22 5:06

Hello Rosemary,
A very thought provoking note to go with this fine black and white image. I like the point of view looking at the elephant sideways on with the dirt road running far into the distance creating a wonderful feeling of depth. Excellent conversion to black and white; the image has a good range of tones and good sharpness. Very good rendering of the textural detail to be observed in the hide.

timecapturer (49288) 2014-08-22 5:41

Hello Rosemary
you can imagine how I feel about losing any of these beautiful animals to poachers! This shot is so poignant and it conveys this sad message so expressively. This planet of ours is a strange place at the moment with so many atrocities happening world-wide and our ability to find solutions to the problems somewhat haphazard. Love the image of this fine old fellow though!

Enjoy your weekend - B.

trevormoffiet (3112) 2014-08-22 5:42

Hello Rosemary,
The image suits your notes. The elephant in your image is indeed a sorry, lonely looking animal. I love the B&W treatment here. The distant hills seem to disappear into heat haze. The landscape looks very dry. Excellent textural detail on the hide of the elephant.
Warm regards,
Trevor

Gerrit (62042) 2014-08-22 6:11

Hi Rosemary,
it's a shame that it seems impossible to solve this problem and that the slaughter goes on.
your photo's shows an elephant with a somehow sad and tired look, a fine way to illustrate this situation,
regards, Gerrit

Sergiom (117241) 2014-08-22 6:25

Bonjour Rosemary,

Il semble très vieux et mal-en-point.Mais au moins il a encore ses deux défenses.L'utilisation du noir et blanc donne du caractère à la composition et la bête est parfaitement placée dans l'image.

Amicalement

Serge

boa (8039) 2014-08-22 11:42

Hi Rosemary,
that is sad news to hear! It is also incredible that people still believe in the medical effects from ivory.
But i am afraid that the hunting of elephants will continue as long as people pay for it. I am quite sure that $7,000 will be double just within few years when the elephant population smaller than 2014. A nice picture of this majestic animal and an important note, tfs!

Have a nice evening/
Boa

No_One (4) 2014-08-22 12:01

Hi Rosemary
This is a heart breaking view, this mighty creature has been reduced to one I pity, it looks like it has had a very hard time of late and seems barely alive. Your choice of black and white enhances this feeling and makes me mourn for those amazing creatures being senselessly killed for ornamentation. You have composed and created this scene is a perfect way, it is an incredible documentary shot, and one which dos justice to raise the plight of these giants. Thanks for sharing this beautiful, but ugly image.
Best wishes
Noel

Royaldevon (85932) 2014-08-22 12:13

Hello Rosemary,

It is indeed a grim story!
Man has such power and in many cases does not respect what he has! It breaks my heart to see these magnificent animals so decimated for something, in my mind, so trivial! If there was no market for ivory the animals would be safe!! Education! Education! Education!

Thank you for this reminder, with this charming b&w photograph, so that we all become a united voice in stopping the horrible trade!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

photographer_sg (6059) 2014-08-22 12:41

Hello Rosemary
This is an excellent photograph of the giant tucker with very good framing and pov that give depth to the picture. The exposure is managed perfectly and we get some very good details with pin sharp clarity. The choice of black and white is also perfect for this documentary style shot that is accompanied by an excellent thought provoking note.
Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.
best regards
Satya

ourania (51103) 2014-08-22 13:00

Hello Rosemary,
the news and the statistics are extremely shocking and sad, elephants are beautiful, clever animals and we have so much to learn from them. Children love them, how can we explain this absurd massacre to them? Your photo is a perfect illustration and feels symbolic. The textures on the elephant are fascinating and there's a mild sheen on his skin which makes him look like a statue. The space he has to cross seems critical and symbolic too. Exquisite photo, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good night,
Ourania

williewhistler (16606) 2014-08-22 13:17

Hello Rosemary,
a stark and rather sad image that works very well in BW with all of the folds of skin beautifully illustrated,
I guess that as long as there is a demand and a market then unscrupulous dealers will continue their evil trade,still it`s a comfort to learn that Namibia is bucking the trend.
Apparently the weather here in the SW may not be too bad next week after all....
Warm regards Les.

carlo62 (81265) 2014-08-22 13:31

Ciao Rosemary
la tua nota mi rattrista molto, è terribile, non avrei mai pensato a un numero così alto.
La notizia positiva sulla Namibia è consolante, perché vuol dire che se si vuole, si può fare qualcosa di buono e speriamo al più presto.
Un grosso saluto a te e a questo magnifico esemplare.
Carlo

jjcordier (79299) 2014-08-22 22:47

Rosemary
Que faire contre la cupidité des hommes? Le traitement noir et blanc dramatise l'image et renforce tes propos dans ta note. Une rencontre majestueuse.
Amicalement
JJ

emka (158204) 2014-08-23 0:16

Hello Rosemary,

It is such a sad note and your photo in blak and white proves it. How can be people so greed and for just decoration to kill this magnificent beasts. Bu fortunately in Botswana there are still big herds and well protected. Fantastgic picture, so sharp and clear.

WArm regrads MAlgo

marabu61 (11587) 2014-08-23 4:20

Hello Rosemary
The future of many of the planets animals is looking bleak indeed. Tigers, among many others, being a special endangered species ..
But for elephants I thought the situation wasn't that bad, at least reading the latest reports of the South African national park board where there seems to be far to many elephants at the moment. Maybe there is hope after all.
have a great weekend
Daniel

eldancer1 (36343) 2014-08-23 7:18

What from I read about the elephant situation their future is indeed very grim and uncertain. And I like the image, crossing the street I think is very symbolic. Also, I like presentation in B&W. Good lighting and nice contrast. Very well done, tfs.

dekanski (9365) 2014-08-23 7:50

Oh, many years to see on him (her)!

holmertz (102846) 2014-08-23 8:46

Hello Rosemary,
I think I have told you before of the utter contempt I feel for those who have these magnificent animals, and many others, killed for ridiculous "medicines" or handles of daggers etc. My anger makes it difficult to comment this from a strictly photographic point of view, but it is certainly a fine close-up. The conversion to B&W makes it look like a shot from 100 years ago when elephants roamed freely (although always threatened by stupid trophy-hunters).
Kind regards,
Gert

delpeoples (60342) 2014-08-24 16:31

Dear Rosemary

Your choice of B&W for this was brave, well-thought out and totally appropriate. We are used to seeing Africa in all its blazing, exotic colour. But this is monochrome for a very compelling reason. It is a message we must all see, no matter how sad and disturbing it is. The elephant is one of the most intelligent and beautiful animals on Earth. That humans - and humans alone - are responsible for the demise of such noble creatures, makes my heart ache. Your photo will stay with me for all those reasons, in addition to that it is one of extraordinary quality. Thank you for sharing it.

Hugs
Lisa

PS: I wish you a wonderful and safe holiday x

batalay (41261) 2014-08-27 15:14

Hello Rosemary,

Thank you for this sobering photograph and essay. I like the drama of the B&W format for story as somber. Incidentally, you can make the links that you've cited live, so that they open up when you click on them. Thus More than 100,000 elephants..., Poachers can drive... and Save the elephants....

If you are interested in the simple code that you can embed the links in, please drop me a note at [email protected] Another trekearth member once gave it to me.

Regards,

Bulent

adores (46979) 2014-08-27 17:33

Hi Rosemary!
Sad truth! Unfortunately, it's happening with the elephants and so many other species around the world and not much is done to stop it, I'm affraid.
It's a very good shot, I really like the way you framed the lonely elephant about to cross the little road and the b&w is perfect here.
Hope the news may change soon, so that they can have a brighter future!

swapankumarroy (3769) 2014-09-19 7:57

Hello Rosemary,

You narrated very well about the future of elephants in the world, very sad and unfortunate of total human being.

Very nice to shoot in exact time and well selection in gray scale mode. Good composition and well framing.

with warm regards and have a nice weekend.

swapankumarroy

COSTANTINO (116674) 2014-09-19 23:00

Good morning dear friend
I love shots of this ind and particularly
your useful notes that less elephants
are being born each year than those
being poached here we have a shot
bringing a message than within a few years
there will no more elephants
tragic indeed and we must protect
those animals
simple but nice poto in sepia
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147300) 2014-09-26 4:28

Hi Rosemary,
Original version with this B&w photo, interesting effect and contrast, the elephant is taken at a good moment just walking through the road, tfs

Nicou (193806) 2014-09-29 9:45

Hello

Superbe vue j'adore que c'est beau un éléphant.
Belle soirée
Nicou