Posted by Magnus Hird on February 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Just had a nice couple of days away from it all in Northumberland - in the Kielder area, which looked lovely covered in snow. The added bonus was that it was pretty much deserted apart from us
Even managed to squeeze in an hour or two in a hide while the wife admired the view over the lake from the warmth of the car
Anyway, a couple of red squirrels frequented the feeders giving me my first opportunity to try and photograph them. Although nowhere near the quality of some of the red shots posted on here over the last year and perhaps not as sharp as I'd like they're something to work on next time.
40D + 500mm, ISO 500 and f8 for 1/320
Tripod from hide
Hello Magnus, the pose on this is nice as is the setting and the opportunity has bags of potential but unfortunately the lighting has done you no favours. Because the head is in shade my eye is drawn to the highlighted chest and this really spoils it for me. Plus, as you have mentioned, it is not critically sharp where it needs to be ie. on the eye/face area. Had the squirrel been a touch further forward and turned it's head slightly you would have come away with a winner.
Robert
Posted by David J Slater on February 13, 2009 at 5:33 AM
I can see what Roberts is saying but I think the bright white chest in this case looks natural and doesn't spoil it at all for me. It contrast nicely with the darker background, and I love the blueness of the image. Like the raised paw as well. Agree with John, nice to see an uncontrived one!
Dave
Posted by Magnus Hird on February 14, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Thanks all for taking the time to comment. I agree Robert, the lighting situation wasn't ideal - the hide was on a north-facing slope with dense forest to all sides which seriously limited the light coming in, especially at this time of year.
The pose was mainly due to two of them competing for access to hazelnuts in a box at the base of a tree - one was definitely more dominant and would chase the other off if caught near there, which was fun to watch. So you're about right with that interpretation Major
Discussion
6 repliesEven managed to squeeze in an hour or two in a hide while the wife admired the view over the lake from the warmth of the car
Anyway, a couple of red squirrels frequented the feeders giving me my first opportunity to try and photograph them. Although nowhere near the quality of some of the red shots posted on here over the last year and perhaps not as sharp as I'd like they're something to work on next time.
40D + 500mm, ISO 500 and f8 for 1/320
Tripod from hide
All comments and feedback welcomed
JohnR
Major
Robert
Dave
The pose was mainly due to two of them competing for access to hazelnuts in a box at the base of a tree - one was definitely more dominant and would chase the other off if caught near there, which was fun to watch. So you're about right with that interpretation Major