March of the Elephants

[RArcher]

Continuing the African theme.   This is pretty much the same setup as my last image, just with the camera from high above and some elephants for some interest.

The image turned out a little big to post here so you can see it here:

http://www.archer-designs.com/zp/index.php?album=digital-art%2Fterragen-2&image=elephant-march-v2.jpg

Simply click through the image to get the full 1920x1200 size.

[Klas]

Very nice!!
But:
At least one of the elephants is flying.
Do you have specularity on the elephants? try settings of 0.3-0.5 for the spec. The shadow sides of the objects are too dark.

[dandelO]

Very cool! The sandy surface looks great from away up there too. Excellent render!

[RArcher]

Thanks, the elephants shouldn't be flying!  They are composed of three populations of various positions set to sit on the ground.  Maybe I need a bit of a dust trail following them.  I will also look into the specularity, as I'm pretty sure I didn't change it at all.

[Gannaingh]

Looks nice! However, at least to my eyes, there seems to be a bit of a scaling conflict between the elephants and the shrubs which makes the elephants seem oddly small...but not being an expert on African vegetation I don't know if I'm not just seeing things.

[Henry Blewer]

I like flying elephants. They are easier on the vegetation this way. 

Great render.

[choronr]

I really like those Acacia trees and this setting ...beautiful work.

[MacGyver]

Aaah, elephants! Thank you!

[Redwolf]

perhaps a shadow of a plane will help here.....

[otakar]

Beautiful scene, but the elephants are too small. Like this, the trees would have to be true giants

[MGebhart]

Excellent. I saw an image similar to this on The Discovery Channel.

Marc

[RArcher]

Thanks guys, I should have an updated image coming along soon.  As for the elephants size, I do believe they are quite correct in relation to the trees.  According to wikipedia the trees can grow upwards of 21 metres tall.

Here is an example image:

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-elephant-family-under-umbrella-acacia-image5084537

Maybe it is the overhead angle that is throwing things off?

[MGebhart]

Good to see your inspiration has been stimulated.

Marc

[Kadri]

Nice image , Ryan .
At first i thought the same . I think you are right about the scale . Then after your sample it looks like the scale is OK .

Kadri.

[RArcher]

Here is an updated version.  No more flying elephants!  Also switched the sun position around and lowered it a bit to get some late afternoon lighting.  Added a few more positions of elephants and a bit of dust.

Full version here:  http://www.archer-designs.com/zp/index.php?album=digital-art%2Fterragen-2&image=elephant-march-v3.jpg