Autumn deer

I've barely used the camera in the last few months, in fact the 600mm has lived in it's bag since July with the exception of 3 brief outings. I popped over to Bushy yesterday as I had some spare time AND the weather was good.

No rutting, lots of noise though. Didn't take many shots but I quite liked this one thanks to the side lighting from the late afternoon low sun bringing those autumn colours to life. Just the right amount of light on the head and eye for me, any less and there wouldn't be enough detail, any more and it would ruin the look..I think?!

Bit boring I guess but just nice to be out with the camera to be honest!

D300 with 600mm, crop of about 25% from all four sides for web presentation.

Hi Richard
Nice shot but a little to contrasty for me but that could be my monitor. Some playing around with shadow detail could help.
Cheers
johnR

I am inclined to agree with John on this one, but I suspect that it might appear better at a larger size. It is a nice shot though and it is what you see in these conditions after all.
Eric

I agree with John & Eric on this one Peter too. As John said, a little tweak would help it, but I guess this is how you saw it.

Thanks all (who is Peter?). Guess it's all down to personal choice...the high contrast is what I actually like about the shot and actually processed to keep the contrast in tact

Just out of curiosity, can you see detail in the dark areas? On my pc it looks fine with fur and facial features for the dark side of the deer but on my mac on the tv downstairs there is practically no detail in the shadows at all and the second eye isn't even visible

Sorry Richard

Does this help?

Hmmm that's interesting. On the monitor here at work, your re-post looks like my original does at home...and my original on this work monitor looks too dark! So I think my vision of how the image should look is correct but my monitor at home is set too bright.

If this has help Richard, great. Athough very reluctant to tinker & repost anyones image

Steve

The second shot has it. You did well to get such a natural looking shot in a park, well isolated. Nice one.

Great shot Richard! Wonderful use of light and the central placement works well here.
I do feel Stephen's option works better for me.

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel

A lovely image Richard but, as others have said, undoubtedly improved (at least on my monitor) by Stephen's adjustments

Love your first post and the portrait is lovely, on my screen there's no difference the image you captured I find very different, for me the one 'sunlit' eye is what you where hoping to get?? if it was then well done,it give's the deer a little depth IMO,nice work

A well seen oppurtunity. The eye is certainly visible in the first one but the re-post also works well too.

I can definately see a clear difference between the two versions (both at home & work), and no. 2 is much better as the first one is just that little bit too dark in the shadow area (yes I can still see the features), unless that is the effect you wish to achieve. Good capture nonetheless.

Des