Doe at Rest

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 23, 201341 views1 comments

Came upon this doe the other day just resting in the sun. Perhaps thankful that the rut is mostly over. I'm thankful I didn't have to do too much to this one except clone out a few pieces of veg that were a distraction and do the usual adjustments to color, light, and such to get it closer to what I saw that day. I thought about cropping to just show the deer. Good idea or not? While I like the detail in her fur and face, I wish she had been facing the other way with the sun on her face rather than in shadow. Comments and critiques are welcomed and appreciated.

Tech Info

Canon EOS 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4L at 200mm
1/500th at f/5.6 and ISO 1600
tripod
Lightroom 5

Comments

1 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 24, 2013 at 8:54 PM

Hi Peter. I generally get a feeling if a photo is going to work when I press the shutter. I cut my teeth in the days of film, so exposures cost something and being "thrifty" I would wait until I had a photo before committing. Awareness of critical factors that you can't change afterwards such as the light direction, distracting elements, harsh shadows, the subjects pose are best assessed prior to making the shot. When it's right, it's right and the photo just happens. If the light at that time of day, the orientation of the subject to that light, the pose, etc. aren't working I enjoy the experience and hope the circumstances change to my liking. The photo must work as a whole, final tweaks in photoshop are just that, final tweaks.

So, I wouldn't recommend an aggressive crop of the deer to try and find a composition within the photo at this stage. As you mentioned, the light is not from the best direction and consequently, there isn't a catch light. Ultimately, you are the judge though Peter. If you "Love" the photo (not "like", that's too wishy washy, tepid response) and it serves your needs then it is a success. Sorry if all that sounds like a final sermon for the year, just thought I might critique your photo in a general way rather than sweat the details.

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