Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
A New Buck
‹ PreviousWildlife GalleryNext ›

A New Buck

by Peter Cross

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 21, 201385 views3 comments
Out this am to greet the sunrise and the deer at the local nature preserve. Frosty morning but I was dressed just right. I came across this buck and I think it's a new one for me. The rack is so impressive, I'm sure I would remember it if I'd seen him before. Reminds me of being halfway to an elk. I couldn't get a really clean shot of him as there is just trees and twigs everywhere. I wanted a head on shot as that seems to show his antlers off better. I have a nice crossing shot but it's not nearly as impressive. A good example of no matter how much time you spend in an area, there is maybe something new just around the bend. I cropped this to about 80% for compositional reasons and warmed it slightly overall. Sharpened for the web. Comments and critiques are welcomed and encouraged. Many Thanks.

Tech Info

Canon 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4L and 1.4 TC = 145mm
1/320th at f/5.6 and ISO 1000
tripod

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on January 22, 2013 at 8:21 AM
Looks like you had some strong side light for this photo. Nice job of keeping detail in the shadow side of the deer. But, as you noted there is alot going on in the BG which IMHO tends to reduce the overall impact of this photo. Maybe shooting from a lower angle would have worked. Looks like his right ear has been clipped. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 22, 2013 at 1:20 PM
A good example of no matter how much time you spend in an area, there is maybe something new just around the bend.
That is so true Peter! Also, things in nature change so fast and a lot depending on conditions and the seasons. All we get to see are snapshots really; but the more snapshots, the more it starts to resemble a film. :wink:
Unfortunately here the impressive rack gets a bit lost amongst the tree branches in the BG. When working in busy habitats it actually can pay off to work from a larger distance with a longer lens (if you have) as long lenses create a more OOF BG (have a shallow DOF).
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 23, 2013 at 1:28 PM
He is a great subject with impressive head gear. I think you need to work with him until you get him against a clean background, especially without contrasty background branches competing and intersecting with his antlers.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments