Buck Crossing

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 30, 2010157 views7 comments

Went out this past Sunday to do some birding and had this buck cross right in front of me on the road and into a field while I was driving. He was kind enough to stop long enough for me to grab a few shots of him.
Shot handheld from the car out the opened passengers window.

Nikon D300 w/Sigma 50-500mm @ 270mm
f/7.1
1/500
iso 500

This is a full frame shot, just selectively sharpened, NR, and a bit of shadow adjustment in PSE8.

I normally shoot Avian so I'd like your comments and critiques...good or bad on this shot so a large verison is provided. Thanks to all who view and C&C.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 30, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Sweet rack - the only nit is that the light didn't cover the whole face

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 1, 2010 at 4:59 AM

I would have liked to see a tad more space at the bottom of the frame, and maybe the animal positioned very slightly more to the left. However, these are both very minor nits and I hope you will be tempted to non-avian subjects again!

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Leann Greene on December 1, 2010 at 7:06 AM

What a tank to just step out for you. Maybe after a few shots you could have tried backing up and see if he would be looking with more light on his face but geez what a cool experience.

Registered on January 25, 2006, 223 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on December 1, 2010 at 12:10 PM

Well, many of the same rules of avian apply to fauna. The main nit here for me is the light. I agree with David's points as well. Nice to see this guy though!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 1, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Hi Doug, thanks for posting this proud looking bull. You already received some good critique here. IMO the light in essence is actually great, but the dark shadow across the face is a bit disturbing. Further I think more BG separation would have helped this; mainly due to the type of BG with all those vertical tree trunks. Opening up could have helped, as well as moving away and using a longer FL. Another slight improvement (but one beyond your control) would have been to see both front legs separated. Thanks for posting in Fauna and I hope we will see more of your images here in the future; after all wildlife is wildlife, whether it has feathers, scales or fur.

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

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on December 1, 2010 at 3:49 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I know the shadow on the face was my biggest nit, but he only gave me 4 frames before bolting into the BG wooded area. The deer around here are plentiful. but these bucks are very skittish, especially with hunting season now opened for them.
I am still learning to react quickly with my composition in situations like this when there is very little time to grab the shot, hence the need for more room at the bottom.

I've gained some good insight into what makes a good fauna shot, and will be practicing on improvements. Thanks again for the feedback, it is appreciated.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 2, 2010 at 4:25 PM

A strong looking buck and nice job in getting the shot while it was there, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments