Have Fun While You Can

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 31, 2011309 views14 comments

Little red dogs (aka, bison calves) are always fun to watch. While their parents are usually lumbering or grazing, the young ones are bundles of energy, often chasing each other around in circles. On this particular day in Yellowstone in May of last year, a combination of overcast skies and a speeding calf led me to try some motion blur captures. I'll keep trying, but I think this one turned out okay... I like the hint of a smile on its face.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC
ISO 100
1/10th
f/29

Max

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on August 31, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Max, I think this turned out more than OK! Your super slow speed has created an interesting and dynamic backdrop and the calf is still in the head and showing motion in all the right places... I look forward to seeing the one that you do feel you got right

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Emil von Maltitz on August 31, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Excellent capture Max

i really like the impressionistic look of this long exposure. The subtle colour palette works brilliantly. I love it.

E

Registered on October 11, 2006, 52 Posts, 215 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on August 31, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Very nice effect Max! A very engaging comp. Well done!!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 31, 2011 at 5:12 PM

I love the life this photo exhibits. You captured life itself and the title is just right also.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 31, 2011 at 6:32 PM

It's always cool when you try something like this and you come away with a fun image. I tried this techique a couple times this spring and didn't get anything even close to this one. Sweet Photo Max

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on August 31, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Max, you did a great job with this blurred image. So much action can be seen in the little dog's legs and his colors stand out so well from the environment. Very nice.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on September 1, 2011 at 10:27 AM

It actually looks like he's having fun. I like the effect of the slower shutter speed.

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on September 1, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Excellent capture- Perfect timing, colours and composition on this one- My congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on September 2, 2011 at 8:48 AM

Hi Max,

Interesting and fun shot! The composition works well for me and hard to imagine rendering a background that captures the feeling of motion any better than this. My only very small nit is that I'd like to see just a tad more clarity is SOME part of the little "dog" (preferably its head), but that's so, so tough to do (and, from my experience, involves more luck than good management!).

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on September 2, 2011 at 9:12 AM

Hey Max,
I think this turned out very nice! Like Brad I may have wanted a sliver more sharpness......but that is very subjective and I like this very much as presented!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on September 2, 2011 at 2:36 PM

Thanks for the comments, everyone. No argument here about more sharpness in the head and face... that's while I'll keep trying.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on September 5, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Hi Max,
A fun image here as the hint of a smile on the calve's face and the speed you were able to show with the blur puts a smile on my face and makes me relish the freedom this little buff enjoys!
Congrats!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 5, 2011 at 6:44 PM

Excellent pan blur Max

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Marshik on September 6, 2011 at 2:06 AM

Max,
Was about to upload my own red dog blur, but then I saw your post.
I like yours better:-)
I like the balance between movement and sharpness. Impressive given the focal length and the slow shutter - nice work.

Registered on February 1, 2011, 10 Posts, 103 Comments