Canon EOS 1Ds2 + 500/f4IS, Gitzo 1548 + Wimberley Head WH2, 2 EX580 Mk2 flash units fitted with amber gels + ST-E2 wireless flash controller.
Manual exposure mode - f8, 1/125s, ISO 400, auto white balance.
ETTL2 Flash exposure +2/3 FEC (to compensate for the gels).
RAW image processed in Capture One and sharpened in Photoshop CS3.
I've had a shot like this in mind all year, but until Thursday, it has proved difficult to get a fox and a sunset to turn up at the same place and at the same time.
Posted by Andy Astbury on October 8, 2007 at 3:38 AM
Phil,
I think it's a striking and extremely eye-catching shot but one thing that I'm not sure about is the fox being so evenly,and well lit.I think because the fox is in front of the light source it would perhaps be good to have the fox semi-silhouetted and perhaps back-lit to give a warm rim light around the animal as you'd likely see when directly backlit from such a low setting sun.Great to see the boundaries being stretched and hopefully there will be more to follow.
Posted by Mark sellings on October 8, 2007 at 5:24 AM
Technically superb, but for me it looks too much of a studio type shot....
Have to take my hat off though for your persistance in seeing your vision through to a fine result.
Posted by Mark Sisson on October 8, 2007 at 5:33 AM
Absolute cracker thisPhil - very well planned for and patiently waited for too as well so loads of thumbs up.
My only reservation is that it looks so good that many casual observers will struggle to believe it wasn't set-up and that it is indeed a wild animal.
Great work
Posted by Nigel Blake on October 8, 2007 at 5:36 AM
I really love this shot, beautiful, eyecatching in the extreme and technically masterful.
I have no doubts about the efforts put in to capture it wild, however it looks a bit too 'studio', Justin's comments are almost word for word what I was going to put! That said its still one of the most striking images I've seen in ages.
Posted by Paul Gibbs on October 8, 2007 at 6:35 AM
Stunning, great shot, but it does look a little "setup". But still brillient!
Posted by Alan Bryant on October 8, 2007 at 6:43 AM
Awesome!
Posted by Mike Smith on October 8, 2007 at 7:27 AM
Phil
Absolutely brilliant, you have raised the technical bar again
....... trouble is you now have to pull this off with bear shots in Alaska.......
This is wonderful Phil.....very unique and eyecatching
I agree it has a studio'ish feel, but i feel that is a plus point in this case!!
Ive no dought at all that this would appeal to the general public for wall hanging, and wildlife photographers in general will surely appreciate the effort behind the shot.
I agree with Justin's photographers viewpoint, although the buying public have different priorities i guess.
I love it
Alan
Posted by Elliott Neep on October 8, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Hi Phil. You must have had a huge grin on your face when you saw this on your screen! One of the most amazing and striking fox shots I have ever seen. You are to be whole-heartedly congratulated!
Discussion
24 repliesFox (Vulpes vulpes) - Essex, UK
Canon EOS 1Ds2 + 500/f4IS, Gitzo 1548 + Wimberley Head WH2, 2 EX580 Mk2 flash units fitted with amber gels + ST-E2 wireless flash controller.
Manual exposure mode - f8, 1/125s, ISO 400, auto white balance.
ETTL2 Flash exposure +2/3 FEC (to compensate for the gels).
RAW image processed in Capture One and sharpened in Photoshop CS3.
I've had a shot like this in mind all year, but until Thursday, it has proved difficult to get a fox and a sunset to turn up at the same place and at the same time.
I wish I was this competent with flash
Brian
At last
Fantastic
Regards
Rob
Phillip.
I think it's a striking and extremely eye-catching shot but one thing that I'm not sure about is the fox being so evenly,and well lit.I think because the fox is in front of the light source it would perhaps be good to have the fox semi-silhouetted and perhaps back-lit to give a warm rim light around the animal as you'd likely see when directly backlit from such a low setting sun.Great to see the boundaries being stretched and hopefully there will be more to follow.
truly the master of the fox shot!
Mark
Have to take my hat off though for your persistance in seeing your vision through to a fine result.
My only reservation is that it looks so good that many casual observers will struggle to believe it wasn't set-up and that it is indeed a wild animal.
Great work
I have no doubts about the efforts put in to capture it wild, however it looks a bit too 'studio', Justin's comments are almost word for word what I was going to put! That said its still one of the most striking images I've seen in ages.
Absolutely brilliant, you have raised the technical bar again
....... trouble is you now have to pull this off with bear shots in Alaska.......
Steve
I agree it has a studio'ish feel, but i feel that is a plus point in this case!!
Ive no dought at all that this would appeal to the general public for wall hanging, and wildlife photographers in general will surely appreciate the effort behind the shot.
I agree with Justin's photographers viewpoint, although the buying public have different priorities i guess.
I love it
Alan
ditto ALL of the above
Major
T
That is just jaw-droppingly stunning.
Regards
JohnS