Sleeping Beauty

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 22, 2011296 views12 comments

This photo was taken Omega Park. Basically a Zoo. The wolves have fairly big enclosures to wander around in though to me, enclosures are never big enough. Anyway, it is the only place close to me where I have the opportunity to photograph these incredible animals. Honestly, at this park it is easy to take a picture of a wolf. They are always there, guaranteed. So what I try to do is capture the wolves in the most beautiful and unique way that I can. I waited a long time for this wolf to get on top of this rock. The great part was that the light was very nice when he/she decided to take a nap . Hope you like it . Cheers and thanks for looking. Nikon D200. Nikon 70-200mm iso 400 1/125/ f8 Critiques and comments welcome.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on March 22, 2011 at 6:31 PM

This is a unique photo for the subject. Obviously it very effectively focuses one's attention. It also gives me a sense of melancholy, maybe due to knowing it's a captive animal. But from a photographer's standpoint, enclosures are the only access any of us will ever get to many subjects. I've lived in Alaska for over ten years and seen one wolf in the wild. And it was eating road kill.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 22, 2011 at 8:01 PM

Very nice. I'd be tempted to try lightening just the wolf by a small amount to make it stand out better but still maintain that very muted lighting feel. That might take a mask on an separate layer to which HS was applied. You could probably get to the same place by painting with the History Brush set to screen for a blending mode and a low opacity like 5 - 10%.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on March 23, 2011 at 12:05 AM

I really like how the wolf pops out from the dark background. I wish the branch in the upper left were a bit darker and blended in more with the background to give even more emphasis to the wolf, but this is a very solid and unique photo regardless.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on March 23, 2011 at 8:18 AM

This is very moody - I like it a lot. Also because it is very different from the wolf shots we usually see. I even like the centered position of the wolf. I think the leaves nicely balance the wolf - don't think I would change much. Well done.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM

I like the pose, the towering shapes of the tree trunks and the framing provided by the green foliage. If anything I might crop a little all around to make him a bit more prominent, but like this as posted.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 23, 2011 at 4:10 PM

The dark surorundings enhance the lighter colored subject by providing a moodiness to the image. Very nice effect.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 23, 2011 at 6:39 PM

A very unique shot and glad to see you wanted to do something different in considering the composition. This is one of those images where a center element does work and I like that you can just make out the trees in the background, well seen, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on March 24, 2011 at 1:03 AM

I usually never comment on a zoo image, but this is exceptional, Andrei! What an eerie and sinister look this has! Well done!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 24, 2011 at 1:15 AM

This is certainly an evocative image!
I like the framing the tree canopy and trunks provide for the wolf. As Marsel said, the central placement works well! Goes to show "photo-rules" are made to be broken once in a while

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Andrei Malashenko on March 24, 2011 at 2:28 AM

Thank you all for your comments and critiques. It took me some time to decided where to put the wolf and I opted for the centre of the frame because I felt it evoked a stronger reaction in me . I can see why some would like me to darken the leaves on the upper left or give the wolf a bit more pop. Both are very valid points and I have actually tried it. In the end I always came back to this image . Again, thanks very much for your time and all the best

Registered on March 18, 2011, 13 Posts, 68 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 24, 2011 at 12:05 PM

Hi Andrei,

I like the balance of this image. And very peaceful and serene. I personally like the image as presented, including the current crop. Well done!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Andrei Malashenko on March 24, 2011 at 11:42 PM

Thanks Brad, much appreciated !

Registered on March 18, 2011, 13 Posts, 68 Comments