N-Photo says… Why it works

Frans went the extra mile – and a final wet few metres – for this image, and it shows. We’re not sure that, given the same situation, we’d be prepared to stand alone in a watering hole surrounded by bull elephants as the light was fading. Getting back out of the water must have been a tense moment. The resulting image is almost too perfect, as though Frans herded the elephants into position. But it proves the benefit of research and time in the field, of getting a feel for the movement of your subjects – and the moon (remember, this was taken before smartphones and The Photographer’s Ephemeris, so we have no excuse these days!). It also shows the importance of keeping a cool head when it comes to the technical aspects.