Grazing Bison

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 17, 2013149 views7 comments

This is a favorite image from an early spring camping trip in Yellowstone National Park. But, now that I have read comments and critiques on NPN, I would have tried to capture the image like this: 1) grass in the foreground in focus, 2) space to the left of (in front of), instead of behind, the bison.

Please comment and critique. Do you think that the image would look better if it had been captured as suggested in own critique? Would it be improved with the mountains in focus (smaller aperture)? Does the blue the sky appear to be natural?

Equipment: Pentax K110D, DA 55-300mm at 300mm, probably handheld

Exposure: 1/1500s, f/6.7, iso 200

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 17, 2013 at 10:09 AM

Hey Randy. What a great background for this bison, one of the nicest I can recall seeing. I understand that you would want to include the impressive mountain behind the bison to as large a degree as possible. However, I agree with you self-analysis of the photo, it would benefit from more space in front of the bison. And, yes a bit more foreground detail would also benefit the image imho. I think this setting would have been a very good opportunity to try a pano, preferably by stitching a few images together to capture the background in all its glory. Very nice as is, but have to wonder what if.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on November 17, 2013 at 1:44 PM

Can't disagree with your own critique and Gary's thoughts...but I too love the background and the low POV towards the bison. Don't suppose you have any where he's looking up?

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

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on November 17, 2013 at 3:12 PM

The backdrop makes this image for me …….. Nicely framed

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 18, 2013 at 7:10 AM

Thank you, Gary, Morkel, and Mario. A pano is a great idea. From what I recall, there is a hill between the bison and me, and more snowcapped mountains to his left.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 18, 2013 at 7:23 AM

Randy,
Your self critique is spot on, more "look into" space would be better. This could be achieved easily by cropping, or if you do not have any ethical objections to adding canvas, then you could try something like this.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 18, 2013 at 4:28 PM

Great backdrop! I agree with ideally having the bison a half body length or so to the right.

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

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 18, 2013 at 9:45 PM

Thanks for the additional comments, Ken and Lon. Ken, the cropped version you uploaded looks effective.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments