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The Challenge
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The Challenge

by Peter Cross

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 6, 201472 views4 comments
Out early this morning and found the rut is fully in gear now - at least amongst the bucks. Saw lots of them and several pushing and shoving matches. Photos of those will come later. This first one is akin to the weigh-in before a fight with the opponents staring down each other. This guy here certainly looks like he means business. That dark band across the head just makes him look meaner, too. So this sets the stage. I cropped this pretty heavily to make the deer large enough. Close-up definitely needed. I added some exposure, contrast, clarity, warmth, and saturation. While I decreased the highlights just a bit. Your comments would be appreciated.

Tech Info

Canon EOS 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4 at 200mm
1/320th at f/4.0 and ISO 1000
tripod
Lightroom 5

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on October 7, 2014 at 8:12 AM
It does look like the rut is beginning, but I do find this one a bit cluttered and the deer do not stand out well in the small version, the larger image shows them better, so I think you could crop a bit tighter. Hope you can get some more rut behavior photos. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on October 7, 2014 at 8:27 PM
Peter, this one works fine for me. Having been out there years ago doing this type of work I can appreciate this scene very much. From the point of view and with regard to the obscure view it's a reality check on wildlife photography overall. The peering thru vision here gives the feeling of being right there IMO. The clarity and focus on the deer seems to be fine and the main point of the scene. :cool:
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on October 8, 2014 at 11:08 AM
Peter: do I hear the gears turning to rationalize/justify the cost of a super telephoto lens? :wink: Have you considered burning the grasses in front of the deer? Now those grasses are very bright and draw the eye away from the subject. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 9, 2014 at 4:10 PM
Cool face off. I agree the oof bright spots in the foreground grasses are a detriment.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments