Loving Embrace

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 17, 2012107 views6 comments

Taken at Tucson Desert Museum (Captive). This is one of my favorite images. I feel that it really captures something more than just two bighorn sheep. I havent gotten as much attention on this photo from others on other sites that I was hoping for some critique as to why that might be. Thanks!

Taken with Canon 7D, Canon 100-400L @260mm
1/125s, ISO 100, f/5.6

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 17, 2012 at 2:37 PM

Hi Evan. I understand why this would be a favourite for you. You appear to have done a very nice job on the black and white conversion, nice tonal range, the smooth white horn of the upper sheep has a subtle beauty. In one sense the composition probably shouldn't work, as the hooves are cut off as well as the bodies are truncated. Having said that, it still is attractive to me. A tighter crop of the heads and shoulders might simply and distill the photo to the essentials you may be trying to convey. Just some thoughts to ponder.

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

Comment posted by Evan Olson on November 17, 2012 at 3:05 PM

thanks for the comment. This was taken a few years ago (while i was still in the initial learning phase). Thanks for the recrop idea, i will have to play around with it.

*edit* I found a cropping that I kind of like: http://500px.com/photo/18392553

Registered on November 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 17, 2012 at 9:46 PM

I like the nice crisp lines in this B&W version, but would like to see it in color also. Maybe a very tight crop of just the heads and horns of the sheep. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on November 17, 2012 at 10:28 PM

Evan, you have captured a great moment here that showcases interesting behavior between the sheep. I this would be stronger if you could create more tonal separation between the animals and the background. I think they blend in just a bit too much in the B&W presentation. Perhaps some selective dodging and burning would help with this.

EDIT: I do like the portrait crop that you posted on 500px. To me that is a much stronger image as it places the attention much more on the affection between the sheep.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on November 17, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Nice image, Evan. I'll echo what the others have said regarding the technical aspect of the photo. I also like it because it shows that other animals have complex emotions as well as humans. I think this displays something more than just 2 sheep standing there. Hope to see more from you.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 18, 2012 at 8:46 AM

Hi Evan,

Welcome to the NPN Wildlife Gallery. You've started your posting off in this gallery with a very interesting image - thanks for sharing it with us.

Your B&W conversion here is interesting. Pushing the young ram's horn to such a bright tone definitely draws one's eye. Given the dominance of this element I'm wondering if that same element is positioned perhaps a bit too close to the top of the frame? I am left wishing that the hooves weren't clipped here and find myself thinking that I'd prefer either a tighter or looser crop to the one you've presented. But I'm definitely wandering into "personal preference" terrain with that comment!

Looking forward to future contributions from you...cheers...

Brad

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