Lake Nakuru National Park was the only place that had plenty of rhinos to observe in close proximity. They were unfazed by the 4×4 tour vehicles stopping nearby and with the constant camera shutter clicks. They kept their massive heads close to the ground and grazed on grass that was as short as a well-mowed lawn.
I was interested in photographing a pair of very mature rhinos with impressive long horns. They grazed on the west side of the road with the late afternoon sun right behind them, the backlighting creating two nearly-complete rhino silhouettes. So taking a portrait was out of question. Waiting for better lighting to capture the day would be a waste of precious time.
I zoomed in on different parts of their bodies, first to lose the lit-up background and second, to see if I could salvage the day and come up with the shot I had in mind despite the lighting situation.
The pair took one slow step at a time forward while feeding on very short grass that was already overgrazed. They slowly came into position where the skin of rhino in front became a giant canvas through the telephoto lens that was full of wrinkles, shapes, and colors. If they were standing on patch of bare soil, the sunlight would reflect from the ground and light up under their bellies.
After a few tries to find the right combination of wrinkles, shapes, and colors, this one just came into view. Suddenly I had a few seconds to take shots before they would take another step forward and the entire picture would disappear.