King of the Herd

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 1, 2013202 views10 comments

Hi Everyone! I've been going out with my sister and Dad a bunch this month to photograph the elk rut. We had pretty much given up on pictures on this day when all of the sudden this big bull came out of the forest with his harem. It was already super dark but my dad let me use his D600 so I could still get some pictures in the low light.

I really like the way you can tell he is checking out his herd here and making sure there are no bulls trying to steal one of his ladies.

I also like the trees and mountains in the background.

Thank you for looking!

Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR IF-ED
ISO 3200
1/30sec @ f/5
mounted on Feisol Elite CT-3372 tripod with Acratech GV2 Head and Wimberley Sidekick

Processing Notes from Dad:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minimal adjustments using Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2 in PS5
NR using Nik Dfine 2.0
Cropped to app. 95% of original (see below for alternate comp)

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on October 1, 2013 at 2:14 PM

My dad thought we should post a different crop to see what you liked best. We both kind of like the full image better, but what do you think? (see below)

Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments

Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on October 1, 2013 at 2:14 PM

Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 1, 2013 at 4:45 PM

Really nice, Josiah. Very much telling the story of the rut. Great habitat documentation plus the bull is definitely doing his job here. Well composed and your exposure turned out pretty good. Looks like ISO 3200 is a piece of cake for that camera. I like to ask a favor of you. Would you zoom in on the side of the bull and see if those black spots are dirt or actual growths on the side. I'm wondering if they are papillomas which are usually benign growths. I see them occasionally on the black-tails where I photograph. It also looked like there was one on the neck of the bull Jenaya posted recently. I think your 600 would have the resolution to let you see. Thanks.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 1, 2013 at 7:58 PM

This is a very nice look at the herd and the bull, not any easy accomplishment to have all the animals composed so well. I agree with you that the background is very attractive. Looks like a fine job on the processing as well with excellent detail and sharpening. Well done Josiah!!!!

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on October 2, 2013 at 3:42 PM

Hey, Josiah! Man, I love this image. Just captures the story so well and makes me feel like I'm back there with you. I still can't believe the number of images you pulled off at 1/30sec!

Pushing the boundaries of the laws of physics, kid!

I still can't decide on which crop is best...except I LOVE the original and LIKE the more classically-composed repost, so I guess maybe I do know. The original just has a great look and feel.

Nice job, Jo!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 2, 2013 at 8:49 PM

You have two great images in one image file in my opinion. Both images have strong story telling appeal. Great job capturing this photo in such a difficult lighting situation Josiah.

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on October 3, 2013 at 4:39 PM

Josiah, I like both compositions a lot. The first post shows more of the harem and therefore tells more of the story. The second post puts more attention on the bull which is very nice as well. My only suggestion would be to consider cropping the first post on the bottom to remove about half of the OOF grass. Very nice!

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 3, 2013 at 10:00 PM

Fine image of this bull and his harem. I like both images, but lean towards the second one. I think the first on would be stronger if you cropped about half the off grass on the bottom.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 6, 2013 at 12:31 PM

This has a real nice feeling, Josiah. I much prefer the original to the cropped alternate.

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

Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on October 6, 2013 at 3:39 PM

Thank you for all the nice comments!

Peter, my dad said the spots on his side are actually burrs from walking through the forest. Most of the bulls have them this year.

Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments