Spirit Wolf

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 15, 2013382 views13 comments

This photo was taken at a privately owned habitat in Canada which contained a group of six wolves in a lot approximately five acres in size. The animals seemed to be well cared for and seemed not to be stressed. I would like you to comment and critique. Thanks, Chet (I was shooting fuji slide film and using the Canon 500L lens.)

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 15, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Great shot. Love those eyes. My only nit, and it is a very small nit, is the out of focus blob in the bottom right corner. I'm assuming it is snow.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on January 15, 2013 at 9:49 PM

Hi Jerry. Thanks for your comments. I agree the oof snow is a distraction but felt like the pose was compelling enough to outweigh that. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on January 15, 2013 at 10:21 PM

WOW, wonderful POV. The eye contact is wonderfully captured in my opinion Chet.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on January 15, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Chet ..this is beautiful...love that intense stare ..straight out of the frame. Love the framing too ...the oof snow bit can be toned down a wee bit ..well done

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on January 15, 2013 at 11:10 PM

Awesome Chet . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 16, 2013 at 8:03 AM

Great image you have caught! The eyes and raised hair make the shot. I agree with toning down or cropping out the white blob. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on January 16, 2013 at 8:39 AM

You're right. The pose and stare are enough to overcome the snow blob. I'm not so sure that trying to tone down the blob is a good idea. If it's 255 white, which the top seems to be, it will most likely just turn a mirky brown, which would be even more distracting, IMO.I guess you can try to go as far as you can with it, but it is what it is, and to most viewers (who are NOT photographers), it won't matter.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 16, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Maybe he is not stressed, but he does look pretty mad and hungry to me Chet!

This is a really strong portrait and really the only small nit is the OOF blob of snow mentioned. On my screen the whites do not appear to be totally blow and might very well be recoverable in RAW. Further the portrait is strong enough to make this a very minor nit. What could help as well is to brighten the face and eyes just a little.

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 16, 2013 at 12:17 PM

Neat pose! He may not be stressed but he sure seems to have his hackles up about being photographed!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on January 16, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Thanks for all of your comments and helpful suggestions.. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 16, 2013 at 3:18 PM

This works really well as an "in your face" kind of portrait. I understand that the snow blob is a little unfortunate, but it is not a deal breaker. Nicely done!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on January 16, 2013 at 4:03 PM

I don't know.....I think had the OOF snow not been there it would have been too tight a shot with part of the wolf's body and lower legs cut off. The OOF snow gives the impression of an obstacle/ledge/hill that the wolf is in the process of overcoming/emerging through. Love the stare. Could try selectively bringing the eyes out a bit.

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on January 19, 2013 at 3:48 PM

Wow! I love the look on his face,its looks so cool! Beautiful colors on the wolf!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments