Hi Folks. Me again. Hope you are not bored of badgers because this project has a hell of a long way to run yet! This shot is of a yearling, one of last year's cubs. They are much more cautious and wary when it comes to new sounds. Much more so than this years cubs who just wander around without a care in the world (or so it seems). The yearling are much noisier though and stamp through the undergrowth so you always have a heads up when they are approaching
You really only get two frames with these before they scarper, even after a month of habituation. One shot grabs their attention, the second shot captures the eye contact, or least a raised head. I've started a blog on my website and there will be more detail and images from the badger project on there: www.enwp.co.uk/blog
1DSmkII, EF300mm f/2.8 ISL, 1.4x TC (420mm), 1/100sec at f/4, ISO400, Tripod and ball head, remote lead.
Like flash or not a touch of fill in here would have lifted the image-put some life in the black eyes and given some detail in the fur under the head-Good image as is but feel flash would have lifted it up a level
Love it Elliott
It reflects the time of day,and the shade under the trees,A cracking shot!Leave it as it should be!
The shallow DOF makes the image pop, any more and the nettles behind would become more of a distraction.
Brilliant!!
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
Posted by Malcolm Muir on May 18, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Bored with Badger? Can't happen. He who is bored with Badgers is bored with life
Another excellent shot Elliot. When the Badger puts his head up to see what that noise was the worse thing you can do is take another shot. Let him settle back down to feeding for a minute first. You won't habituate an animal by scaring it - quite the reverse.
Thanks for all the feedback. Dave: I know what you mean, but I'm trying to do this as naturally as possible and don't want to startle the badgers. Paul: These yearlings seem ok with one shot as they are looking at me, but you are right, I wouldn't dare firing off any more than that. I love just watching them foraging around
Keep coming back to this as I simply cannot make my mind up , one half says the shadows definately need a lift, on the other hand it looks great as is.... so I'm simply going to say great shot.
My first impression was the same as Dave's, regarding a splash of fill, although i now understand your reasons for avoiding its use.
That said {to my eye}, the underside does appear to be rendered quite dark for the 'relatively' even lighting conditions, and maybe a bit of ps work in that area would polish it off even further.
Discussion
19 repliesYou really only get two frames with these before they scarper, even after a month of habituation. One shot grabs their attention, the second shot captures the eye contact, or least a raised head. I've started a blog on my website and there will be more detail and images from the badger project on there: www.enwp.co.uk/blog
1DSmkII, EF300mm f/2.8 ISL, 1.4x TC (420mm), 1/100sec at f/4, ISO400, Tripod and ball head, remote lead.
Ian
Wel done
Frederic
Chris.
Lovely image Elliot , great setting , pardon the pun
Andy...
Dave
Bored, never, keep them rolling! Beautiful capture!
It reflects the time of day,and the shade under the trees,A cracking shot!Leave it as it should be!
The shallow DOF makes the image pop, any more and the nettles behind would become more of a distraction.
Brilliant!!
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
Malcolm
Another excellent shot Elliot. When the Badger puts his head up to see what that noise was the worse thing you can do is take another shot. Let him settle back down to feeding for a minute first. You won't habituate an animal by scaring it - quite the reverse.
Paul
My first impression was the same as Dave's, regarding a splash of fill, although i now understand your reasons for avoiding its use.
That said {to my eye}, the underside does appear to be rendered quite dark for the 'relatively' even lighting conditions, and maybe a bit of ps work in that area would polish it off even further.
Great result either way
Alan