The image was done on assignment for Life Magazine. It was photographed outside Tampico Mexico. The elephants were transported to Mexico for rehab after stomping to death their trainer in Oregon. Hence the concept is generated for a Life Magazine story The photographer and his assistant incurred danger as they lye at the feet of two tusked behemoths. What makes this photo so unique is the extreme close-up and upward view. There is no digital manipulation in this work. br Mitchell Funk is a "Color Photographer Pioneer". He was color when color wasn't considered art. br His early color work anticipates developments in color photography by generations. br In 1970 he participated in one the first " Color Photography" shows at a major museum. Brooklyn Museum, show "Images en Couleur" . 1971 Included he was included in the visionary book "Frontiers of Photography" Time Life. Color ! American Photography Transformed. Amon Carter Museum. He has had more than 50 Photography Magazine Covers and has had covers on Newsweek and Life Magazine among br others.