Bison in Snow/Repost

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 18, 201370 views5 comments

This was one of many bison we observed in Yellowstone National Park that swung its head side-to-side to uncover edible grass.

Please comment and critique. Could the brightness of the snow be improved? Would you dodge the darker fur?

Equipment: Pentax K110D with DA 55-300 at 230mm, handheld

Exposure: 1/750s, f/5.6, iso 200

Crop: About 10% of blank snow on the left. Changed to 8.5 X 11 aspect ratio.

Post Processing: Burned in the snow and dodged the lighter fur to bring out details.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 19, 2013 at 7:56 AM

Good eye contact and a well framed portrait closeup Randy.
I like the the classic winter setting & snow about the face also.
I would consider tightening up the crop a bit, shaving a bit off the right..
Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 19, 2013 at 7:09 PM

Thanks, Howard. I like your suggestion to tighten it up a bit, and will try that out.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 22, 2013 at 10:27 AM

If you go for a tighter presentation, I would consider making the front legs vertical, if that doesn't crop the horns. As is, the bison feels a little tipped forward. You exposure looks fine although focus on all parts of the head seem a bit soft. Extra selective sharpening might solve that nicely.

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

Comment posted by Jack Bell on November 22, 2013 at 10:42 PM

Excellent capture of an American legend. Love the snow on the face.

Registered on April 24, 2007, 55 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 23, 2013 at 3:52 PM

Thank you for the comment, Jack, and for the suggestions, Howard and Lon. Here is a new version of the bison with the right side cropped more, the leg and face more vertical, and the head brightened and sharpened a bit.

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