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Warm Sunlight
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Warm Sunlight

by Peter Cross

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 15, 2013105 views3 comments
Up early to catch sunrise at the local nature preserve. Temps in the high 20's F. Dressed warm and was nice and cozy. I had passed this buck previously before the sun broke through the tree line and happened to come back due to a change in my route. He was still in the same place, so I set up and tried several viewpoints to capture him with the least distracting background. This was the one. Nice light on him which I'm sure is warming him just like it would you or I. I would wish that his right ear would show like his left but he never pulled it forward so I was stuck with this. The vine to the right and the branch overhead I could do without but I couldn't find a spot any better than this. Tomorrow I'll post another image of this guy which I shot earlier in the morning which I think is quite unusual. As for this one, I warmed it slightly and sharpened for the web. The small version seems to have some issues that I can't explain but the larger version looks okay. Comments and critiques welcomed and encouraged.

Tech Info

Canon 60D with 70-200mm f/4L and 1.4 TC = 280mm
1/400th at f/5.6 and ISO 1000
tripod

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Chet Dowell on January 16, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Nice find and excellent image. Love the early light. Great job. Chet
Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 16, 2013 at 1:20 PM
Peter, I like how you used the tree branches as a framing element here. The dappled light also makes the overall scene look attractive, particularly with the buck in the spotlight. The larger version indeed is a much better representation and a pleasure to view. Despite the difficult bushy habitat I think you managed to create an attractive image.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 16, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Agreeing with Vincent, so won't repeat. A small tweak you could try would be to selectively choose the bright stems, like the one "coming out" of the top of his head, and lowering brightness levels on just those around your main subject so they don't compete for eye attention.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments