Plains bison in morning fog (+ repost)

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 20, 2013350 views9 comments

Plains bison (Bison bison bison) photographed in Elk Island National Park, Alberta.

The fog was lifting as the sun was poking through. For a few minutes, there was this amazing light, changing constantly.

Canon 7D, Canon 15-85 at 80 mm, f/10, ISO 200, 1/125 sec, HH, ND grad (?), LR5, PS-CC and NIK suite. Minor crop.

The color is as I remember it. The photo was taken with AWB and I have cooled it slightly in PP. The light in a series of photos taken a few minutes earlier was a lot more bluish.

All comments are much appreciated.

Thank you for your comments on my previous photos.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on August 20, 2013 at 10:32 PM

I really like the idea of this image. And you had great conditions for it. My only nit is that you have to search too much to see them. Maybe me. If it can be done, it would be great just to darken their shapes a little so they are a bit more easily seen. Of course, the other side of the coin is that one doesn't see them at first but then it's sort of an ah ha moment when one realizes they are there.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on August 20, 2013 at 11:32 PM

Thanks Peter. The bison already have a slight darkening and clarity applied. I had tried more but did not optimize, perhaps. If the weather holds up, I'll to be out there tomorrow morning before sunrise.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 21, 2013 at 1:28 AM

Hi Roger, I agree with Peter's comments. This is a good time of year for early morning fog as you know, so good luck with another go at it. The key thing may be to get some classic bull bison in profile to show that unmistakable body shape. You are definitely getting "warm" and hope you pull of a stunner.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 21, 2013 at 9:12 AM

Interesting image, I like the larger image best. I would suggest you try a crop to a more pan format, removing the darker grasses right in the middle of the FG. Thanks for sharing, good luck on getting more early shots.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on August 21, 2013 at 11:44 AM

Roger, I love the atmosphere. I can understand the desire for a bit more contrast, but the faint bison silhouettes really enhance the mood, IMO.

I do suggest a crop off the bottom. Those foreground grass stalks are the darkest tones in the frame, and therefore are a big distraction. You have room to crop right above them while still leaving breathing room for the bison.

Max

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 22, 2013 at 11:58 AM

I can't add more to the really excellent analysis already offered. I think this has room for tweaking...and applaud your plan to revisit the scene to see if you can really nail it!

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

Comment posted by Bob Decker on August 23, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Did you try a little burning on the Bison? It's so close to be a great image. I just want to see the animals a bit more clearly.

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

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on August 23, 2013 at 11:39 AM

Thank you all for you excellent analyses. I'll revisit PP and try burning the bison. As well as cropping. Both are excellent suggestions.

I did go back to the location. No fog but plenty of bison though. Wonderful light with clouds lit on the underside by the rising sun, and bison in the FG. Unfortunately, I had just broken my ND grad. Got a new one yesterday and will go back on the weekend if the weather looks promising.

In any case, many thanks for your suggestions. I will revisit PP and repost the results.

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

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on October 20, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Reposting: cropped differently and trying to burn in the bison some more. I have been on location several times and there was always one of the ingredients (haze, sunrise, bison) that was missing. Next time perhaps. Thanks for all your comments and support.

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