Sparring

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 19, 2008779 views14 comments

A subspecies of elk once populated Arkansas. These Rocky Mountain Elk were introduced in the 30s and appear to be doing well. I found a small herd two mornings in a row near Ponca, Arkansas. There was a nice thick fog to add some intrigue to the image.

These two young bulls are taking break from breakfast for a little rough housing.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 19, 2008 at 1:54 PM

A nice moody and unique animalscape you have created here Matt, I like it and am convinced this can make a great print.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 19, 2008 at 2:17 PM

Hi Matt,

I'm in Vincent's camp here: very nice animalscape with a great sense of mood. I love the balance provided by the leafless tree and the misty, fading background. And, all aspects of the composition work well for me. I also think it would make a great print.

One suggestion re: presentation. I'm of the opinion that this medium (especially the 720 pixel maximum standard size) doesn't do justice to most animalscapes. Consequently they don't tend to receive the number of positive comments they should. However, at 1200 pixels (the optional "larger size" option) they look a lot better on most monitors. If you're OK with it, it would likely help you to provide a larger size option on this image. Just my 2 cents worth...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Wilson on November 19, 2008 at 2:37 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. I actually just recieved a 16X20 print of this image yesterday, and it looks great.

Brad, can I still go back and add the optional larger size? I can edit the file information, but I can seem to figure out how to add a larger size. Thanks in advance.

Registered on March 1, 2008, 13 Posts, 35 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on November 19, 2008 at 3:06 PM

I always love images that show more of the landscape the animals live in, and this one is a great example! The misty background really sets a nice mood for the sparring elk, im sure thats one fantastic print you have

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 19, 2008 at 3:17 PM

Hey Matt,

RE:

...can I still go back and add the optional larger size?

Yep, you're right about no apparent way to do it. Will check into this and get back to you...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 19, 2008 at 7:47 PM

Matt,

RE: Uploading a larger image subsequent to initial upload.

Not currently possible - must be done at the time of the initial upload. So I guess my suggestion should be changed to "Next time..."

Sorry...but thanks again for sharing the image.

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on November 19, 2008 at 11:01 PM

Tons of mood to this scene, well done.

Shane

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on November 20, 2008 at 9:35 AM

Beautiful setting here Matt - nice composition.

Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments

Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on November 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM

This is beautiful Matt, the misty atmosphere really makes it

cheers,
Billy

Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 20, 2008 at 11:25 PM

Matt: I don't get over to this forum much but this is an exceptional shot IMO. A superbly crafted image. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 21, 2008 at 8:12 AM

Matt,

I find it also a very moody image, and my sugestion would have been to point the camera a bit higher, to have less foreground, but more from the tree...

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on November 25, 2008 at 7:20 PM

Awesome image. Love the composition combining the Elk and the tree - each of which is offset perfectly. Great mood and action. Congrats on the EP

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on November 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Really nice feel and tone to this one.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Green on December 2, 2008 at 4:21 AM

Beautiful Shot Matt well done on the weekly pics award.

Danny

Registered on November 27, 2005, 70 Posts, 313 Comments