With social media, it is increasingly difficult to stand out from everything that is already being done in photography (wildlife or otherwise). A sign that the photos we take will be different is that we are the only ones taking them when everyone else has left.

When I took this image, it was very late. The mist had lifted over the fields and the elk were out for the breeding season. When I arrived in the area a few days before, I had quite a welcome. I was then sleeping in my converted van and I had parked near a large field. As soon as I closed my eyes, the impressive cry of the male elk startled me. I then look out the window and see the silhouette of the animal marching across the field.

I wanted to recreate this image that I had in my head. So I stayed that evening with a group in a field. The mist helped me create this photograph since it silhouetted the animal. Otherwise, he would have been shrouded in darkness.

It was then necessary to push the equipment to the maximum. ISO 12800, the maximum my camera would allow me to go. F2.8, the maximum aperture of my lens. And 1/60s, the slowest speed I could use to freeze the movement of the animals. In continuous AF mode, I was able to focus with difficulty because the ambient light was very low. The crop factor of the APS-C body gave me a tighter and more interesting framing.

• Material: Nikon D500   Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR2
• Exif: ISO 12800 – f2.8 – 1/60s – 200mm