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Print Sale: Baobab Tree at Sunset

by Dave Burns | Posted in Photo of the Day, Story Behind the Photo | Tags: , , , , , ,

I just sold a framed print of Baobab Tree at Sunset: 12 x 18 inches plus matte and frame. When someone buys a print, I always enjoy telling them the story behind the photo.

Baobab Tree at Sunset
Baobab Tree at Sunset

This image was taken on one of my photo tours that I lead in Tanzania and was made with my DSLR modified to record infrared light.

The baobab was taken November 2012 in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is not as well known as the Serengeti but is one of my favorite places to photograph. It has a lot to offer but it is known especially for two things: lots of elephants and a high density of baobab trees. These two things go together somewhat. In fact, if you look at the bottom of the baobab in the image, you’ll see how the bark is not smooth. That’s not natural; that’s damage from elephants stripping the bark which they love to eat.

The stark lighting in the scene comes from the combination of how the sun is about to set and how infrared cameras see foliage and blue skies. Foliage tends to look very bright and, because the camera is trying to record only the red light, blue skies look very dark.

About Dave Burns

Dave Burns is a wildlife, travel, and landscape photographer whose passions range from the beauty of the African savanna to the streets of Paris. He created Dave Burns Photo Tours to share his favorite places with other photographers, help them capture unique images, and learn more about photography and digital work flow. His next trip is an African photo safari to the Serengeti in February 2021. Dave’s images are in private collections and galleries. To contact him, use the contact page on this site.

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