Springboks, South Africa Photograph by Morkel Erasmus, Your ShotThe golden light at dusk and dawn in the Kalahari is amazing and can enhance the mood of a scene greatly. On this particular morning in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the rising sun was filtered by an ancient forest of camel thorn acacia trees, with a herd of springbok gazelles in attendance to complete the scene.
Wild Horse, Mongolia Photograph by Chris Neale, My ShotI love the simplicity of this image, which draws you in and keeps you there. There is absolutely nothing fancy about the shot, achieved with a basic 70mm lens. It’s the subject matter that makes it compelling, but in a subtle way. What especially makes the shot for me is the beautiful wave in the horse’s mane and forelock. I also love that the photographer included the open sky and mountain, but without unnecessary drama, showing just that gentle peak and the simple elements of the tree and log. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
White Lions, South Africa Photograph by Dave Elliott, My ShotWildlife photography is often about capturing animals in action or in their natural habitat. But shooting portraits of animals—capturing them in much the same way as you would people—can also be an interesting approach. This portrait of the two lions has an almost artificial quality, emphasized by the somewhat shallow depth of field, short focal lens, and fairly flat lighting, as well as by the immediacy of the gaze. Both lions are looking directly into the camera, but it’s the sharp focus of the lion on the right that arrests the viewer. Clearly, the photographer has commanded its attention.
Dog Tag Chandelier, Fayetteville Veterans Park Photograph by John Creech Jr., My ShotSometimes there’s a beauty in a purely abstract image. Shooting in black and white and playing around with depth of field are ways to create images that mesmerize us with their shapes and forms. The success of this shot, for me, is the shallow depth of field. A sharp depth of field would have been very confusing, as all the elements would have been in focus. The interplay between the sharp tags and the soft ones, as well as the light and dark, make for an image that has staying power: You want to keep looking at it endlessly. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
Grizzly Bear and Cub Photograph by Trish Carney, Your ShotYellowstone! Had the pleasure of observing this grizzly sow and her cub this May. The snow was deep and the cub was riding on the sow’s back as she was rooting through the snow for food. The sow had just caught a rodent and lifted her head to reveal her catch.
Group of Siberian Reindeer Photograph by Dean Conger, National GeographicReindeer cross the Siberian snow near Oymyakon, in the U.S.S.R. A young girl atop one of the animals herds them forward toward her family’s tent and a break for food and rest. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels) Purchase this print »
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico Photograph by Troy Lim, Your ShotThis was taken in December 2010 during my first trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. It took me four days, waiting in the cold weather an hour before sunrise. On the fourth day, everything fell together. The gorgeous sunrise, wind direction, and snow geese all took off right in front of my lens.