High Country Elk

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 29, 2010157 views7 comments

Hello, everyone! This is my first time posting in this gallery. I usually stick to the RMNP forum, but I've decided to jump out and say hi.

I had a recent trip to Rocky Mountain National Park this past weekend. I decided to drive up to Trail Ridge Road above timberline in the afternoon. The light was a little harsh, but I stumbled upon five bulls just wondering around grazing on the tundra. The road was entirely blocked from all of the cars parked looking at these guys that were ten feet from the edge of the road. I jumped out and grabbed a few shots as they were walking away. I normally take landscape shots, so lens speed isn't a must for me...until now. I did the best I could with my equipment and the odd lighting without a tripod. I felt like I was running around with my head cut off trying to grab a few shots.

Thanks for looking!

Canon 450D
18-200mm
149mm Handheld
f11 @ 1/125 ISO400

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 29, 2010 at 9:03 AM

Hi Charles,

Welcome to the Fauna Gallery - it always nice to "see" new faces (and fresh images). I find your observations about how you felt when "out of your element" (i.e., not shooting landscapes) interesting! I hope this is only the first of many posts you make to this gallery!

It looks to me like you handled the tricky lighting quite well here, and I like how the ridge in the foreground bisects the frame. I suppose it would have been nice if the sun was illuminating the elk's face rather than its side, but little you could do about this. I'm wondering if the composition might have been a little stronger if the elk was positioned both lower and to the left (i.e., further down the slope). I suppose then the background snow might have a bit of a distracting effect (given it would be right behind the elk)? Just a thought...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this and please pop by again!

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 29, 2010 at 1:32 PM

Hi Charles and thanks for dropping in and saying hi!

Thanks for sharing with you that you were 'out of your element' as Brad put it. Despite that you handled this very well and the techs look solid and overall I find this a very pleasing image. I do not mind the position of the Elk in the frame, but do wish it would have had a bit more of a head turn towards the viewer and as a result a better lit face. Referring back to being out of your element I can only add that for me personally it is challenging to do different types of photography and aim to master more than one field; I hope you feel the same after shooting this and that we will see more of your work in this gallery.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on June 29, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Nice shot Charles! The background is excellent, but I do wish that the elk was positioned in the lower left, as Brad has already mentioned. That's my minor nit, and it's still a great capture as is.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 29, 2010 at 5:04 PM

Nice elk photo. You have done well with the light and the crowds. I found early morning to be productive and fewer cars on Trailridge Rd. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 30, 2010 at 8:50 AM

Really nice background! It gives it a true sense of the scale/expanse of the location. Yes, the light was harsh but this came out pretty nice. I guess it would have been good for the elk to turn and face into the frame with some light on his face...

but they don't always take stage directions!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 30, 2010 at 7:56 PM

Sweet elk and habitat image Charles!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Caudle on July 1, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Thanks for the comments, everyone! He turned to look at me so I started making little noises to get him to look back at me, but he was annoyed and walked off

I have about 30+ shots to go through, but I thought this one displayed the most depth.

Thanks again for your critique!

Registered on December 29, 2009, 1 Posts, 6 Comments