Sika Stag

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 15, 2012115 views6 comments

This Sika (Cervus taiouanus, as it is posted at the nature reserve here in Seoul) stag took considerable interest in me. There were five or six resting in about the same area, but this one noticed me and came in for a closer look...and swear he kept making it a point to step into well-lit areas as if he was a model trying to find his light for great shots. I do have a few closer shots which I'll post next, but this one is about the best full side view (I particularly like the front leg up as he is walking cautiously as he inspects me).

I took this photo this past weekend, but I do believe it could be the same stag that I posted before that I photographed back at the end of December...

Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Sigma DG 120-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 APO OS HSM
Focal Length: 400mm
f9.0
Shutter 1/800
ISO 400
Monopod

Cropped about 50%

Comments and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 15, 2012 at 8:35 PM

Mark, Nice shot of the sika stag. I also like that you caught him with one foot raised up. My only comment would be to have abit more space around him, as it is somewhat crowding the edges of the image. I like the sharpness, details and color. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 16, 2012 at 7:35 AM

What a handsome animal in a great pose. Also like the sheen on this coat. Wish for a little more room all around. Great capture!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 16, 2012 at 12:36 PM

I love that proud pose Mark! I agree a bit more room all around would be an improvement. Further a bit more BG separation wouldhave made the nearby BG a bit less distracting; this could easily have been shot wide open in this parallel pose.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 16, 2012 at 4:09 PM

Vincents thoughts match mine as far as tweaks. I agree with you that the lifted leg really helps make the pose. He sure makes a good model.

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

Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 16, 2012 at 5:47 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Yeah, I see that I could've cropped it different for more space on the left and right, and that that would make a good difference. Will re-post later.

Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 17, 2012 at 9:39 AM

Hi Mark,

Yep, great pose - and your techs are spot on. Not half-bad light either - nice when you run into a cooperative subject!

I definitely agree about this being too tight (for my tastes) - to me it feels really squished into the frame. My preference here would have also been to open up the aperture more and separate this fella a little better from the background. I don't know that lens at all, but guessing you could have opened up some more before sharpness of the subject fell off?

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

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