Bugling Bull

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 6, 2013151 views9 comments

Hi everyone! My family and I went to Waterton to photograph the elk rut a bunch last month, and we were lucky enough to be there when this bull was putting on a show. He started out not being very close to us but he slowly bugled his way right up to us!

I was set up on my tripod next to my dad and we had a lot of fun photographing him for almost an hour. My fingers were so cold by the end I could barely keep taking pictures!

There wasn't much light but every few pictures worked out OK, and I liked the way he looked in this one.

I know I almost cut his legs off but I couldn't adjust my tripod in time to get this when it happened but I still liked it.

The grey thing hanging from the bull's neck is a branch that was stuck in his coat.

Nikon D300
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED
ISO 800
1/25sec @ f/5
Mounted on Gitzo Explorer Tripod and Acratech GV2 head

Dad's processing notes:
Converted from Raw using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minor tweaks to tone and contrast in Nik Viveza 2 in PS5
NR with Nik Dfine 4.0
Cropped to about 90% of original (none off the bottom of course)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Carey Closs on October 6, 2013 at 4:31 PM

Excellent image Josiah, nicely exposed! Great detail on the bull and his rack is very impressive.The narrow depth of field really makes this image stand out and the surrounding landscape compliments the scene nicely.

Registered on April 15, 2012, 107 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on October 6, 2013 at 4:49 PM

Nice image Josiah, just needs more room below for the 'virtual' legs/feet as you say.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 6, 2013 at 5:56 PM

Wonderful comp and timing, Josiah. Excellent work.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 6, 2013 at 6:49 PM

This is a classically nice bugle pose. Yep, you almost got his toes, and it becomes more problematic if you want to mat & frame, as that further intrudes on the image. I have some images quite similar of animals where I was so entranced with the main focal points that I squeezed space on the bottom. Hopefully we will both be more aware in the future!

Still, you should be really happy with this capture. I think you might make the branch sticking to his coat less noticeable if you make sure there is no sharpening in that area.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 6, 2013 at 7:44 PM

Sometimes the hard part isn't getting the bugling behavior, it's getting the bugling behavior in front of a decent background and nice setting. I like those aspects of your photo too Josiah, nice work!!!

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on October 6, 2013 at 8:20 PM

Pretty cool image, Jo. I like how isolated he is from the background. I do wish for more room on the bottom, but I know what you mean with the tripod thing...I was right beside you after all!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 7, 2013 at 2:58 AM

Josiah,
Missing the bottom of legs is an all to common problem for me, but in this case I do not think it spoils the overall image which has very fine qualities

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 7, 2013 at 2:58 AM

Josiah,
Missing the bottom of legs is an all to common problem for me, but in this case I do not think it spoils the overall image which has very fine qualities

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on January 24, 2015 at 4:28 PM

Thank you everyone for commenting on my picture.

Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments