Buck in fog with repost

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 9, 2011348 views17 comments

I originally took this photo last November, on an extremely foggy morning in central Kansas. I posted this image, http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=160300&CGISESSID=2351c877b3e507bfdf38fdf5f4bbe0a6&u=29849 , at that time. I was going back through some old files today, thanks to some very much needed rain!, and worked up this image. It was taken 1 minute after my photo from last year, so conditions were the same. However, I came up with a much different look to the scene, one that isn't as harsh as last year's version now seems to me. Which version do you think works better, both in pose and processing? Personally, I prefer this version, and I'm not sure why I didn't pick this pose last year. 7D, ISO 400, 1/100, f/8, 500mm, ~50% crop. C&C always welcome and appreciated.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on October 9, 2011 at 6:45 PM

I like it Rob, but if I was gonna hang this on the wall I would make another version and play with the levels adjustments to bring out the deer and foreground more. Nice shot of this White-Tail.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on October 9, 2011 at 7:05 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, Gary. Is this repost what you had in mind? To me, it loses much of the fog, but does bring out the deer better.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on October 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM

IMHO don't change it, it is fine just the way it is. An intriging photo. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on October 9, 2011 at 7:36 PM

For the web, Gorgeous as posted originally ! I cant believe you chose to hide this from us this long

I am with Gary, for the print, something on the line of the repost would look great.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Painter on October 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM

I like the this one better than last years and I like it as originally posted. The repost is nice but the first really gives the feeling of the buck being in the fog. The repost is more like the fog was in the background.

Bruce

Registered on May 11, 2006, 50 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 10, 2011 at 12:36 AM

I prefer the original here - looks like real FOG around the buck. Nice catch!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on October 10, 2011 at 7:36 AM

Both posts are lovely moody images Rob. I do prefer this one for it's stronger composition. As for the repost of this version; I think it looks more realistic, yet I prefer the softer original. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on October 10, 2011 at 9:52 AM

Yes Rob, but don't misunderstand me. When I said for hanging on the wall I meant that literally. I think the first post is very intriguing as is, but I feel the repost is better for framing and display where the deer is more visible and still shows the very foggy environment. It's one of those personal preference things.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on October 10, 2011 at 1:12 PM

Thanks everybody. Gary, I understand where you are coming from, and can't disagree with your assessment.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 10, 2011 at 5:09 PM

Rob,

When I saw the thumbnail of this deer I knew I had to comment. I love foggy images and would be proud to have this in my files. I prefer the original because it has a mysterious feel to it. Love the great eye contact, the pose of the deer and that you processed this to retain that foggy feeling.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on October 10, 2011 at 9:08 PM

Very ghostly. Like the way the deer is just visible in the fog.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 11, 2011 at 8:43 AM

Fortunately you don't have to rely on me to make a decision Rob, as the only decision I can seem to make is that I definitely like all three images ;^)

Seriously, I love both poses and the ghost effect is simply marvelous, very well done!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 12, 2011 at 12:48 PM

Rob, I agree with you that this version is better than last year's. He's looking at us and I like the soft, "high key" processing. For me it brings emphasizes the fog and suggests that both of you were surprised by the encounter. There's more detail in the repost, but it seems more "traditional" image. Terrific image.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on October 13, 2011 at 11:31 AM

Nice capture.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on October 17, 2011 at 6:12 AM

Bob:
Like this version more than the one last year. For one, the eye contact is excellent in this image and the fog effect is nicely demonstrated. The repost shows the deer better but I also miss the fog around the deer - may be a selective level adjustment just on the deer would be nice compromise. A very nice image.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Lane on October 17, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Being somewhat of a foggy person (

), I prefer the first photo.They do just appear out of the fog. For me the first photo is more "natural". He steps out of the fog as King and holds your attention.

Registered on August 13, 2009, 15 Posts, 51 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on October 18, 2011 at 1:55 AM

I like it Rob. The ghostly image works for me. Well done!

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments