Lamar Bison

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 19, 2013422 views14 comments

Ugh. I'm so far behind on processing. I'm sure you guys know the feeling!

At this point I'm just starting to work on my photos from last September. The cottonwoods in the Lamar Valley were at the peak of their autumn color during my Yellowstone visit, so when I saw this bull walking by it offered a nice opportunity to frame it against a colorful background. I ended up choosing this as the cover image for one of my calendars.

Canon 1DX
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 400
1/500th
f/6.3

Max

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 19, 2013 at 12:42 PM

I love the colours and mood here, Max. Any particular reason you framed the bison on the LHS ROT line and not on the RHS?
I wonder if adding a hint more contrast to the trees would further enhance this nice image...?

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on August 19, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Morkel, I was expecting this question.

The placement of the bison in the left of the frame wasn't my ideal choice. It was simply a matter of being late to the party. I was actually out in the valley shooting pronghorn (which were chasing each other as part of the rut in front of the same trees), so I didn't notice this guy right away. The right hand corner would have certainly been better given his direction, but I was still pleased with this.

It could probably use a little more "pop" in the web version, but it was an overcast day and this version printed well for the calendar, so I didn't want to go overboard with the colors.

Max

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

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on August 20, 2013 at 8:15 AM

Nice shot of the Cottonwoods, Max. You answered my question already about the Bison position.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on August 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM

Cool frame, nicely done!
As for the position of Bison, Better late than never.

Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on August 20, 2013 at 7:52 PM

Max, this is a beautiful photo of a gorgeous stand of cottonwoods. I can't get animals to move into the right positions either. I'm sure the people buying your calendars have no idea which side the buffalo should be on!

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

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on August 20, 2013 at 9:32 PM

I really like the setting here. Gorgeous palette of colors.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on August 21, 2013 at 1:04 AM

Gorgeous! I like the different approach to this image. A lot of people would put the bison in the bottom right corner (and that includes me, too), but I really like how you framed this. I also love the fall colours!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 22, 2013 at 1:49 AM

I like this as-is!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM

Sweet Photo Max

I think what makes this composition work so well, is the angle of the cottonwoods, they seem to coincide with the angle the bison is traveling.

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

Comment posted by Bob Decker on August 23, 2013 at 9:54 AM

A lovely image. I don't mind the placement of the bison at all. In fact I think the LH position adds some mystery and drama to the image. My only real nit is that I can see a very noticeable halo around the rear of the animal.and a bit at the top if the head/hump area. Overall lovely image with nice color and a pleasant mood.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 14 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on August 23, 2013 at 9:35 PM

Same question! Thanks for the answer!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 24, 2013 at 11:07 PM

I think it works! Great mood.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 29, 2013 at 12:15 PM

Congrats Max, beautiful image!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 29, 2013 at 11:46 PM

Sweet fall image - and a good example of how bending the ""rules"" (Right lower corner placement vs left lower corner) can still work well.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments