Reinventing the typical trophy photo

[Wildwillalaska]

Her with my initial buffalo of the trip, and some of her animals…

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Great thread! Here are a few of my favorites-

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All great photos but the last one is art.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Few more.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Daughter saw this broken sable, immediately naming him Greg and started trying to convince me of the merits in her taking Greg vs an unbroken bull next trip. Luckily we found service and after some quick messages between our PH and property manager, I couldn’t finds reasons to say no.

 

[fourfive8]

Sometimes no people works as well if not better

 

[Jasonj231867]

 

[Jasonj231867]

 

[Jasonj231867]

My PH Lex Struss and cameraman Wessel Pesler were at the top of there game!!

 

[Betterinthebush]

 

[Betterinthebush]

 

[Philip Glass]

I am just as apt to take the typical trophy photo as anyone, and have done so each time.

However, when looking at trophy photos, I find that I more quickly scroll past typical photos and linger longer when they are an odd or irregular picture.

I imagine the repetitive composition of the typical trophy photo has become a bit ordinary to my eyes, even though the subject matter is truly extraordinary.

I tried to do something different as an experiment this last hunt, but don't think my ideas were great (and the PH didn't like them better either):

1. Typical composition:

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2. A little bit different (closer to the head; whole animal is not shown):

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3. Something I don't see as frequently (perspective on a level plane; facing the animal; reverent hand on animal):

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I do notice that vintage safari photos are much more interesting to me in composition and variety. For example, people are standing, people are sitting on animals, people are looking off into the distance, there are big groups around the animal, etc.

I know many of you have done unique trophy photos too, as I can think of several examples that come to mind.

There is no formal question here, just an observation, but, I would appreciate if anyone has non-standard composition trophy pictures they would like to share here to help give me ideas.

It would be great to have some different composition ideas in mind before my next hunt.

Thanks Ya’ll!

I like that as well

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I wanted to post a few more semi candid photos which were taken last month in Free State and Limpopo and were inspired by this thread. I will begin posting a hunt report soon.

Taking the Bull K-Doo by the horns. We worked HARD for this bad boy.

Warthog entrance wound from 7mm/08 139g Hornady CX - was quartering hard away. Bullet entered the left flank making the gruesome entry wound and travelled into the chest cavity dropping the WH in his tracks on a 70y running shot. Messy but effective. Knocked the sausages out of him.

Master Photographer taking a posed shot of great white hunter with his Buff.

Buff Down - Four shots with 375HH 300g TSX. Only ran about 30y.

ER Shaw Custom P14 Enfield, Kahles K16i 1-6x 375HH Classic Big Game Rifle

Proof that B-Balls are tougher than expected

Blesbok with Hunglip Mtn Waterberg Range in the background - Limpopo

Yours truly rockin RDB Safaris Logo & well worn Tag Zimbabwe vest somewhere in Free State

Well Earned cold one after a long day in the bushveld

Close up of 7mm/08 PG rifle f/ Fierce Firearms - CT Edge, a true 1/2moa pew pew. With Arken Optics super effective EP8 1-8x LPVO. Lt weight & accurate. Served me well on this Safari.

In the background is young padawan PH searching for Zebra Spoor. He was good at his job but Diana did not grace us with a shot on Zebra this trip.​

 

[DonPablo]

I like these: