Harem in the Mist

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 14, 2011158 views8 comments

Went Richmond Park in London just after the cold spell last December to photograph the deers in the mist. Met this group of female deers grazing close to the road with a male guarding them and exercising his right to mate. Taken 6.30am before sunrise.

D90 50mmF1.4 lens @F3.5 1/30 iso500 HH cropped to 60%. CS5 curves on luminosity mask to slight darkened the image and selectively increasing the brightness of the lighter tone to emphasise the mist effect. This is my first attempt in capturing wildlife in the dark and suggestion on processing low exposure image appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on January 14, 2011 at 3:42 PM

I like the light and atmosphere in this picture...all well in that respect, as far as I'm concerned. However, subject wise there's just a bit too much in this photo and yet nothing that really captures the attention. Nice shot, though.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 14, 2011 at 5:27 PM

Hi Gary, I will echo Ingrid's take on this one....I also like the mood, but too many animals doing too many things for me...I think isolating one of them with this mood would have made for a more pleasing shot compositionally.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 14, 2011 at 5:34 PM

The comments already made are right on.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by David Page on January 14, 2011 at 9:10 PM

I love the mystery in this one. Great pic.

Registered on April 15, 2009, 19 Posts, 199 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 14, 2011 at 11:27 PM

Looks like you already have a good handle on processing low exposure images based on this. I like the detail in the foreground a lot and the exposure is nicely handled. Without looking at your techs I assumed this was done with a super-telephoto based on the perceived perspective. This beautiful photo encourages me to get up early to look for those predawn opportunities; fortunately around here that is about 8:00 am at this time of year.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 14, 2011 at 11:45 PM

I think the processing and detail look good Gary. The mood is well captured and the composition principally well balanced. I do however echo the comments made about a real focal point lacking. I think if the head of the bull would be up above and clearly visible (and not only the antlers) that would have been sufficient to achieve that.

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 17, 2011 at 1:29 AM

Lovely misty conditions. I do wish the deer silhouettes stood out better - more separation between the animals would help there.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 19, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Gary, I think the processing is super! Great effect. I think the only nits here are in the positioning of the animals. I agree fully with Floris that some separation so they did not merge would have made a big difference, especially with the animals behind the mating pair.

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