Well, I intended to post a third elk image today, but my plans got interrupted when I opened a large enveolope addressed in my name yesterday. Inside was a standard letter of usage from a publisher, and there was one of my mule deer images on the inside front cover and my first double-page "centerfold" poster!
I probably had more success than I deserved in getting published when I was shooting professionally in the 90's, but this was my first since getting back into this with my daughter last autumn (I've been content to clip Jenaya and Marlise's published images until now!).
Now to make sure I don't misrepresent this, the publication was a national children's magazine published by Canadian Wildlife Federation. I thought I should take a moment and give you the particulars because it is something to consider for many of you, along with myself. The image was not submitted for publication consideration, but was actually one of several submitted to an adult wildlife photography competition this winter put on by CWF. Of course I read that they might choose to use any of the submitted work in their publications, but as I didn't win the competition, I completely forgot about it! I'm not complaining and am certainly honoured...especially by the double-page spread, but it is something to remember for those of us submitting our work to photo contests. The only real bummer was they used their default white typeface for the photo credit and placed it in the bright spot in the bottom left, effectively giving a photo credit to "TEIN" (the last 4 letters of my name where it ran into the buck's shoulder).
Anyway, sorry for the length of this post but I thought some of you might find the above interesting. Now for a quick summary of the image...
THE coolest part of this shot is what you can't see...what caught this buck's attention was a passing herd of bighorn sheep (being photographed by Jenaya, of course)!
One of the reasons I like this image is that it was unplanned. I was actually photographing a separate, very elegant but younger buck at about 80yds to the right. I was hunkered down against a tree under a hill/ridge when some debris rolled down to my feet and I looked up and saw this guy striking this pose! I calmly (yeah, right) brought my lens around and framed him up and captured a half-dozen or so images, his ears in various positions thanks to my shutter clicking away! I also like the low camera angle and great pose/lines of the buck, along with the impression of the environment/habitat in the OOF background.
Comments, critiques and suggestions always welcome and appreciated! I'd be happy to improve this image further! Larger image provided (and much better for whisker and eyelash viewing). ;)
Here's the techs:
Nikon D2X
Tamron SP 70-210 f/2.8 LD lens @ 122mm
ISO 200
1/200sec @ f/3.5 (I was set up for the other buck!)
monopod
ABSOLUTELY FULL FRAME! :)
Comments
11 commentsCongrats on the publication of this image. I just had a friend have the exact same thing happen with a Nature's Best photo competition - she received an "Honourable Mention" and while pleased, she thought that was it - until a few weeks later when she got a letter indicating the image was appearing in another magazine (that co-sponsored the contest). She was initially thrilled but then a day or two later asked me "hey, shouldn't they be paying me for this?" Nope...it was in the fine print! I found the evolution of her reaction quite interesting (and I leave it at that!!).
Your shot - very nicely done - don't you love it when unplanned shots like this work out so well! The pose is classic and it's a fine specimen. There's a very nice diagonal flow to this image. Techs look spot on as well. I do have one suggestion on the crop - if this shot was mine I'd probably shave a sliver off the bottom (like 5%) just to remove the "hints" of the upper legs. For me seeing just a little of them makes them looked a bit chopped off but - in this case - out of sight (by a slight cropping) means out of mind. Hope this makes sense...
Cheers...thanks for sharing this...and congrats again!
Brad
Great point of view, here.
Interestingly, I felt the same way about the crop from the bottom and had tried that initially but I think had too much in mind...I brought it up above the change of hair direction but the result was a decided drop in overall appeal and impact, partially because the image needs as much of the back line on the right as possible, IMO. I do recall giving up on the crop too quickly, however, as I dragged the bottom up all the way without ever considering such a minor teak as you have suggested. I'll have a go at it tomorrow if possible and will repost if it's an obvious improvement.
Many thanks once again...
Seriously, you guys are achieving one of my greatest goals: to create in others a greater level of interest, leading hopefully on to a love, of all the subjects I choose to portray as photographic images, once again, thanks for the inspiration John :^)
Hearty congratulations for having had this selected for publication and, in line with what I wrote above, what better audience could you wish to reach than impressionable children ;^)
As always, very much looking forward to seeing more of your family's images :^)
No Nits Here
Ken Archer
This is a gorgeous portrait with excellent detail and a lovely pose. The catchlights also add a lot. I can understand the comment about a slight crop from the bottom, but that is really a very minor thing.
Guy - I do have images with "better" left (our right) ear position, but this is the shot of the bunch that had the most alert/expressive eye, and in the end I felt that trumped showing more of that ear. I also kind of like the behaviour this represents, as we've all seen muleys (and other ungulates) pay attention in one direction while one ear swivels to listen to other sounds. I guess I could go for the best of both and blend two shots together, but this one has kind of grown on me. :)
Thank you again!