A Stretch

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 1, 2013112 views5 comments

Literally and figuratively. This doe stretches out to reach a tender green morsel of some sort. And I really had to stretch my zoom to get the shot and then cropped out about 75% of what I had to come up with something that looked better compositionally. I was worried that the photo would go to h*** in a hand basket but it held up better than I thought. It's a busy scene with all of the twigs and branches. Too much? Before I cropped this, I had warmed it up some to better reflect the early morning light then sharpened for the web. Comments and critiques are always welcomed.

Tech Info

Canon 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4L with 1.4 TC = 280mm
1/800th at f/5.6 and ISO 1000
tripod

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 1, 2013 at 6:16 AM

Seems to be very harsh lighting and the camera focused on the vine in front of the deer leaving the deer itself a little soft. Must have been a pleasure to watch, buy difficult to get a clean shot.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 1, 2013 at 12:38 PM

You have captured a good example of browsing behavior in deer. From a purely aesthetic point of view the photo isn't quite as strong though, as you mentioned it is a "busy scene". Often the success or failure of photos is dependent on the intended final purpose, fine art print or documentary shot as part of an instructional slide show?

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 3, 2013 at 10:53 AM

I also noted the focus seemed in front of her, on the foliage instead. I like that her extension is into the light, helping to "lift" her from the busyness of the surroundings.

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

Comment posted by Don Westbrook on February 3, 2013 at 5:14 PM

I think the pose you captured is a good fit in the busy scene, and I find it an enjoyable image to look at.

Registered on January 4, 2013, 11 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on February 4, 2013 at 10:04 AM

Hi Peter, it looks like this was a particularly difficult shot to make given all the branches and vegetation around the doe, but I like both the composition and lighting.

As already mentioned it looks like the focus shifted from the doe to the branch in front of her which sometimes happens if the AF points suddenly decide to shift. Last year Ken Archer showed me how to focus with the AF-On button on the back of the camera body instead of the the shutter button, and I have to say that its helped me immensely. Perhaps this is something you may want to check out.

I like this pose and feel you've done a pretty good job of capturing what deer seemingly do best.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments