fragile fallow

In an effort to stretch my photography, I like to go out when I know it is hopeless, it makes me try harder. Nature is still there and a gloomy, sodden morning still has a wonder of its own, so dawn saw me with Bradgate virtually to myself. I have always wondered why it is that we go to such lengths to put our backgrounds out of focus, while painters so often don't. We criticise our backgrounds for distracting detail which often couldn't be avoided and the constables of the art world must have spent countless hours adding fine detail to theirs. I felt that this pale fallow doe stood out well enough despite the huge amount of fine detail around her, but what really caught my attention was just how tiny she was compared to the huge, ancient trees and the rocks around her, so I framed it to try and show this.
The contrast is very low in the shot because it was hissing down at the time, but in retrospect it probably helps by reducing the impact of the background a bit.
I'd be very interested to know if anybody else thinks this image works and if not, why not.

LARGER VERSION




5D2, 100-400 @ 150mm
iso 640, 1/13, f5.6
f/f, h/h, m/e, spot metered
eric

I think this works very well indeed for the same reason that you state, i.e. the scale of the deer against her surroundings.
The setting is full of texture and visual interest and the wet weather does the overall scene justice by saturating the colours and giving that wonderful Autumnal appearance.
Very fine image indeed and it just goes to show there's no such thing as a photographic write-off just because of a little 'damp' weather.

I love this Eric reminds me of a painting love all the textures and colour

Works for me and the reason it does is because of the sense of scale, if the deer had been bigger in the frame then the background wouldm have been competeing not complementing, nice shot on a poor day (weather wise that is)

This is great. Really really really good.

The juxtaposition of the trees and rock and deer is spot on compositionally, and the scale of the deer just perfect.

As Karen says - it really does have a painterly quality to it.

This image says more about deer than any close-up ever could. I'll even go so far as to say that some people do the close-up thing because its easier than having to think about the added elements that a landscape composition throws into the mix.

This type of shot is bloody difficult to pull off well and you've done it so eloquently here. I could have this on my wall and look at it every day and be happy.

Hat is off to you Sir.

Very nice,
Lee

Top marks for this attempt, Eric - nice to see something different!

This sort of shot is tricky to get right, and while I'm no expert, I'm not sure you've pulled it off this time. For me, 'animal in habitat' shots need to be accompanied by a strong, memorable landscape. Yes, this is a good record of the deer and where it lives but it is missing a spark, e.g. wonderful shafts of light amongst the trees or some interesting interaction between a couple of animals.

Obviously, we take what is on offer and you've made the most of what you got.

Cheers,
Chris

I think this is wonderful Eric - you should go out when its hopeless more often

John

All been said.
Great piece of work.
JR

Eric... has to be one of the best images I have seen posted here for a while, I like this very much indeed and is perhaps the finest example by a UK photographer I have seen of this style....

Everything is in the right place.....

Stunning

A superb shot Eric. more of them to come in next few weeks.

Dale

As has already been said it looks more like a painting. It works for me. Well done for thinking outside the box and venturing out in truly awful weather. I was lucky and had a beautiful day at Bradgate yesterday. Downside was it was full of tourists

Does have quite a painterly feel, but reserving judgement on whether it works or not simply cos viewing on a netbook

Fine image taken with a fine camera 'tho I think you could pull a bit more out of it.

Hope you don't mind.

Prefer the original, as said the light gave it a painterly feel. Well done young man! I think cropping a bit off the bottom works better for me.

Hello Eric.

Superb for me and the composition you have chosen in the setting is excellent.

I like you post better as it as that moody cold feeling to it which make it work better for me.

Thank you all very much for your over-generous comments. I am amazed at what you have done with it Phil, and agree that it makes a much 'happier' picture which I like very much. I spent a lot of time messing around with it myself before posting it virtually unchanged from the raw and if I am objective about it, the version I posted is what I saw and for that reason like it the best. It is interesting to see just how much you can change the feel of an image afterwards though isn't it? And the camera has opened up a whole new world for me - it's brilliant and worth every very reasonable penny I spent on it, so thanks again.

Hi Eric,

I simply love this image it says everything about why we go out and make images.

As has already been said an outstanding piece of work in our great British weather.

The position of the Fallow Deer is perfect as is the composition of the background that puts the intent of the author in our face...........brilliant!

The first image is by far the best as it shows the real mood on the day.

Keep em coming Eric cos I think you just raised the bar on enviro images of this style.

Shaun

Superb photograph and well done thinking outside of the box. I prefer the first one as the mood is much stronger.

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

First for me brilliant composition

Simply brilliant


Simon

All been said already Eric


Top shot

Fantastic and very well composed image. Well done.

very nice indeed. the fallow sands out really well.

T

Very good shot Eric and the sort of situation where it is essential to keep the whole scene in focus, though it would be virtually impossible to throw it out even if you wanted to. I think the trick is knowing when to include the habitat and this is certainly one of those times. Also couldn't agree more about venturing out in marginal conditions, there are certainly too many photographers out there, many pro's included, that get a little too wrapped up in 'the right conditions'. Very well executed

Superb Eric - what a wonderful setting.

David