Looks like you were strugglig with very harsh lighting here, I would try and reduce the exposure a bit, the shadows will become harsher, but on my screen it looks about 1 stop +ev at present and would bring back some of the washed out colours. Perhaps try a duplicate HDR processing to reduce the contrast if the shadows block up too much?
Thanks for the feedback all. I sometimes struggle PPing these harsh light images. Maybe I'm just trying to be too greedy Here's a slightly toned down version. I've also cloned out the flying insects.
Alan, I agree about her looking llama-like. I suspect it's partly due to the shooting angle as she was somewhat uphill of my position. But she also struck me as being a particularly tall individual (there were 4 others near her in the field).
Yes I thought Dave was committing heresy accusing an Oly DSLR to be suffering from sensor dust bunnies!
Dave - One of the joys of the Oly ownership is that dust bunnies are mythical creatures. Counting the wife's E-510 I've had four bodies now over the last three years and never had to clean any of their sensors even once, the Oly patented SWF dust busting system works - period.
I wouldn't go as far as heresy. I submit images for critique and I really value the feedback I get. I'm also acutely aware that my style of wildlife photography leans towards the journalistic/show-it-as-it-is whereas others prefer a more artistic construct. Each to their own. If you want pretty then go and photograph the captive deer in Bradgate or Richmond Park. But on Cannock Chase, within 20 miles of England's second city, the Red Deer don't do pretty and aren't inclined to pose for the camera so you take what you can when you can even it means harsh light and a background which is more typical of the environment in which the animal actually lives than the fairy tale/Disney environment which a picture editor might wish to misrepresent the animal as living in.
Discussion
7 repliesTaken on the edge of Cannock Chase on Thursday morning.
E-510, 50-200mm zoom + 1.4xTC, ISO 400, 1/640 @ f9, slight crop from the right for composition.
Paul
Mike
Dave
Lovely pose! Shame about the lighting though!
Alan
Alan, I agree about her looking llama-like. I suspect it's partly due to the shooting angle as she was somewhat uphill of my position. But she also struck me as being a particularly tall individual (there were 4 others near her in the field).
Paul
Dave - One of the joys of the Oly ownership is that dust bunnies are mythical creatures. Counting the wife's E-510 I've had four bodies now over the last three years and never had to clean any of their sensors even once, the Oly patented SWF dust busting system works - period.
I wouldn't go as far as heresy. I submit images for critique and I really value the feedback I get. I'm also acutely aware that my style of wildlife photography leans towards the journalistic/show-it-as-it-is whereas others prefer a more artistic construct. Each to their own. If you want pretty then go and photograph the captive deer in Bradgate or Richmond Park. But on Cannock Chase, within 20 miles of England's second city, the Red Deer don't do pretty and aren't inclined to pose for the camera so you take what you can when you can even it means harsh light and a background which is more typical of the environment in which the animal actually lives than the fairy tale/Disney environment which a picture editor might wish to misrepresent the animal as living in.
Paul