Or a show for the cameras?

In this case where a pipsqueak man raises his rifle up to look bigger to a very large and very close elephant, it seems to encourage the elephant to make another short bluff charge closer.

Have to have a look at Ivan Carter's examples on video, if I can find them, to see what it looks like when he does it.

I have seen videos of other guys doing it, ie facing down a bluff charge, and there is usually a lot of shouting, and perhaps hand waving. I remember a Don Heath video, plus some recollection of others.

But one can't shoot a rifle held way over one's head by finger tips.

BTW not knocking this PH. Anyone who stands up to an angry ele at close range like this is gutsy.