River crossing

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 19, 2013229 views9 comments

D800 200 - 400mm @280mm F8 1/175 ISO 800

This was taken just inside the Gardiner entrance to Yellowstone NP last month.

As I had no choice but to take this shot directly into the sun at 3 PM, the lighting is very harsh, lots of blown out highlights in the water, etc. Therefore I have done a lot of curve adjustments and a lot of masking to get to a somewhat acceptable image. I realize that technically, it is not a good shot, but the moment caught I think was pretty unique.

Comments, please!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 19, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Boy, you caught this just right. I think you've done a pretty good job to rescue this image considering the light issues. Great action shot. I'm kind of amazed how sharp it is given the shutter speed you had. I assume the leap was a successful one.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 20, 2013 at 2:06 AM

Bob,
This is the type of sighting that makes wildlife photography so worthwhile and so frustrating. Under the circumstances you describe this is a good outcome.

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

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on October 20, 2013 at 4:00 AM

You freezed the moment well. Wonder where he landed !
Do you think instead of recovering the highlights, a high-key approach may make any difference... (or a high-key B&W conversion)...?

--
Kaushik

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on October 20, 2013 at 10:54 AM

His leap, as well as the leaps of the other 5 members of his group was successful as shown in the attached image

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on October 20, 2013 at 10:57 AM

Given the conditions you have done a great job. Very exciting action to witness.

Registered on January 5, 2013, 37 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 20, 2013 at 11:08 AM

Very cool Bob,
It's moments like this that makes all the many hours of searching and waiting all worth while.
This is a very well handled Image . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 20, 2013 at 12:17 PM

The huge span really makes the viewer wonder what this crazy sheep is trying to do. The sort of photo people stop and take notice of, nicely timed! The sharpest focus may be on the background water, but matters very little.