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Morning Backlight
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Morning Backlight

by Peter Cross

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 17, 201388 views5 comments
I was out early this morning at the local nature area (although I over slept a bit) and was looking forward to a good morning. First off I found I'd left the plate behind for attaching the camera to the tripod (0ops). So, handheld it is. I had to increase the ISO to get a reasonable shutter speed as my lens does not have IS. I found this fawn with its sibling puttering around and making for some interesting backlighting. Of the ones I took, I thought this was the best. Although it's not really too special due to all the busyness with various twigs and branches. To the raw image about all I did was add a half stop of exposure to help see the deer a bit better. The rim lighting still looks good to my eyes. I certainly would appreciate suggestions for improving this. Critiques are welcomed, too.

Tech Info

Canon 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4L with 1.4 TC = 280mm
1/320th at f/5.6 and ISO 1250
handheld

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on September 18, 2013 at 12:51 AM
Peter, I like this photo even if it is fairly busy. Not sure how you could improve on this image. To me your exposure looks good, the backlight works well on the fawn looking at the camera. If the second deer was not there I would suggest cropping this to a vertical composition, which I think would work well. Maybe you could try it and darken the tail of the second deer so it is less obvious. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 18, 2013 at 10:42 AM
The back lighting adds a special moodiness that I think is quite successful. You did a good job of managing exposure to give us adequate detail in the shadows, too. You already know the challenges of the very busy environment you are finding these deer in, and this approach helps with that, too. I think the biggest unfortunate item is the butt end of the other deer drawing attention away from your main subject.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on September 18, 2013 at 3:57 PM
very nice....I, especially, like the lighting. It gives me the sense, that all is still and very quiet. :smile:
Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments
Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 18, 2013 at 7:11 PM
Very good deer image, Peter! I agree with Lon's comment. Great detail!
Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Reed on September 25, 2013 at 10:43 PM
Peter, The light here is what the other two I critiqued are missing. This is that morning light that all photographers/hunters can relate to.. We've seen it...felt the cold held our breath as we take the shot...the light brings us into your scene. Its all about emotion and capturing it. And here you have done that. That being said the scene is still very busy and you have not isolated your subject. But you caught much more interesting light. And that's what counts. :toast:
Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments