While Josiah and I missed a major snow event during the 2015 Bighorn rut, there was just enough of the white stuff around to occasionally create some very clean backgrounds. We opted to focus mostly on rams in or along the edge of the forest, but when an opportunity presents itself for something a little different, you've got to take it!
This guy passed by at the right angle and proximity to do a tighter high key portrait. I don't do a lot of these, especially against a truly white background, but it was fun to put together.
Comments, critiques, suggestions all welcome...please view the larger version for best colour and detail.
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Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED
ISO 1250
1/1000sec @ f/4.5
-0.33 stop underexposed from meter
Mounted on FEISOL CT-3372 Elite tripod with Acratech GV2 ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick
Cropped to app. 75% of original
Comments
5 commentsFabulous detail in this, but I feel a more definite edge is needed at least on my monitor?
Bill
Max
I am in agreement with Max about preferring the larger version owing to it having a border - the "open on 1.5 sides" nature of the standard image feels awkward to me.
There's no argument there's good detail here, but I am having a bit of difficulty with the crop as well. I suppose it neutralizes the visual strength of the horn and thus places more emphasis on the eye...but I tend to agree with Bill that it feels a bit out of balance. I guess I feel that the horns of a bighorn are a BIG part of their attraction and uniqueness, and to cut off this much of them takes away a large part of the essence of the animal.
I have a question on the techs: With no background to worry about (or to throw out of focus), why such a wide aperture? You could be even sharper if you stopped down a little more and I see no negative consequences of doing so.
Cheers...
Brad
Brad--I don't really have a good answer for you beyond the fact this was a somewhat serendipitous frame as I had been photographing a different ram some 40yds away when this guy appeared out of the trees and walked in front of me. I swung to get the shot, decided the exposure comp I already had dialed in might be about right despite the amount of snow in the scene (it was), and squeezed off the shot. I simply didn't think to dial up the aperture, and certainly agree with your thinking here. Thanks for the reminder.