Wild Life
May 8, 2013 14:47:17 #
Even as a hobby I want to do the best I can. Being fairly new to photography I know I have a lot to learn. These were my first attempts of wild life phography. It was 106 degrees when I took these. Right in the heat of the day. So much for the golden hour. What could I have done to improve these photos? Go ahead and be brutally honest. If anyone cares to rework them be my guest. Thanks for your time.
May 8, 2013 15:24:14 #
Your best one in this set is #3. Exposures are correct for the subjects and the intermingling adds to the scene.
#2 is badly over sharpened. Take a look at the outside edge of the horns in particular. Do you see the 'halo' affect? That's an indicator that too much sharpening was applied. You've also answered one of the problems, yourself. High noon on a bright sunny day is not the best.
Be careful when you crop. Don't make the mistake of cropping too tight so the subject seems unable to breathe let alone move into free space in front of it.
#2 is badly over sharpened. Take a look at the outside edge of the horns in particular. Do you see the 'halo' affect? That's an indicator that too much sharpening was applied. You've also answered one of the problems, yourself. High noon on a bright sunny day is not the best.
Be careful when you crop. Don't make the mistake of cropping too tight so the subject seems unable to breathe let alone move into free space in front of it.
May 8, 2013 15:36:34 #
Hi Joe,
Thanks you for the information. I will put it to good use next time I go out shooting. I never noticed the halo until you brought it to my attention. I guess that is what experience is all about. Thanks again.
Thanks you for the information. I will put it to good use next time I go out shooting. I never noticed the halo until you brought it to my attention. I guess that is what experience is all about. Thanks again.
May 8, 2013 17:13:40 #
I feel that #2 is a beautiful composition and study of the shape of these impressive antlers/horns, so the over-sharpen doesn't matter to me in this case. In fact, perhaps it even emphasizes the shape more - just depends on what you want to convey with the image.
#1 - unfortunate that its head is in shadow + surroundings are blah ("blah" - a technical term if ever was one!). And of course you'll get more action shots when it's cooler and earlier.
#1 - unfortunate that its head is in shadow + surroundings are blah ("blah" - a technical term if ever was one!). And of course you'll get more action shots when it's cooler and earlier.
May 8, 2013 17:37:08 #
Hi Linda,
Thanks for chiming in. "Blah" I can relate to. More then my fair share of pictures end up in the "blah" category. As far as the shadows go...that guy just wouldn't more for me. Go figure. Good pictures or not, Ihad a great time chasing these guys around.
Thanks for chiming in. "Blah" I can relate to. More then my fair share of pictures end up in the "blah" category. As far as the shadows go...that guy just wouldn't more for me. Go figure. Good pictures or not, Ihad a great time chasing these guys around.
May 8, 2013 21:16:06 #
The background on #1 may have been improved by using a shallower depth of field and blurring it out. I can't really tell without knowing the distance, lens and f/stop, though.
#2 may have been improved if you had waited for the antelope to turn the other way. That might have put some light on his face and even given him a catchlight in the eye.
#3 While it is usually better to isolate a single animal from a group, if you can't, at least have the faces visible. What you have is ajumble of horns and body parts that are difficult to sort out. Sometimes waiting a few minutes can make or break a shot.
Patience, with wildlife photography, is one of the most important virtues. When starting out, we are often so excited to have a subject in the viewfinder, we hurry too much and forget what we are trying to do which is get a great, well composed photo.
You'll get better as you keep working at it!
#2 may have been improved if you had waited for the antelope to turn the other way. That might have put some light on his face and even given him a catchlight in the eye.
#3 While it is usually better to isolate a single animal from a group, if you can't, at least have the faces visible. What you have is ajumble of horns and body parts that are difficult to sort out. Sometimes waiting a few minutes can make or break a shot.
Patience, with wildlife photography, is one of the most important virtues. When starting out, we are often so excited to have a subject in the viewfinder, we hurry too much and forget what we are trying to do which is get a great, well composed photo.
You'll get better as you keep working at it!
May 9, 2013 06:47:01 #
Ahoy Plymouth34,
I think these photos are very good just as they are. With time, you'll pick up skills and techniques via the great teacher named 'Experience,'
Thanks for having the gumption to share these splendid photos.
All the best,
Martin
I think these photos are very good just as they are. With time, you'll pick up skills and techniques via the great teacher named 'Experience,'
Thanks for having the gumption to share these splendid photos.
All the best,
Martin
May 9, 2013 06:53:45 #
I like all 3 but the last is my favorite. Especially like the "jumble" of horns...Funny how we all "see" things differently.
May 9, 2013 19:50:41 #
Plymouth34: I am with photophili09, 3 is my favorite as well. and I agree, we all see things differently.
Great set and thanks for posting.
Steve
Great set and thanks for posting.
Steve
May 9, 2013 20:40:49 #
birdpix wrote:
The background on #1 may have been improved by usi... (show quote)
Good evening Birdpix,
Picture #1 was taken using a 100/400 lens, I was on one hill and he on another and that was just fine with me. f/stop was 16. By the end of the day my arm was about to fall off. Did not pack in a tri pod or mono pod. I'm not as young as I used to be. It was 106 that day and by days end I was sucking wind to put it mildly.
#2 Picture you suggested waiting for it to turn. That guy was like a rock. Hell would freeze over before he would have moved.
#3 Well you somewhat took me to the woodshed on this one. "A jumble of horns and body parts" that sounds more like a car wreck. Was it that bad? Then again I asked to be brutal. I got what I asked for. lol
In all sincerity I do appreciate your input and will put your suggestions to good use. Thanks again......
May 9, 2013 20:47:18 #
mvyusmc wrote:
Ahoy Plymouth34,
I think these photos are very good just as they are. With time, you'll pick up skills and techniques via the great teacher named 'Experience,'
Thanks for having the gumption to share these splendid photos.
All the best,
Martin
I think these photos are very good just as they are. With time, you'll pick up skills and techniques via the great teacher named 'Experience,'
Thanks for having the gumption to share these splendid photos.
All the best,
Martin
Thank you, I am having the time of my life. Did not realize how much there is to photograph until I picked up a camera. My wife says I'm out of control. I did not realize how much I missed all of these years and I have a few of them behind me.
May 9, 2013 20:55:28 #
photophili09 wrote:
I like all 3 but the last is my favorite. Especially like the "jumble" of horns...Funny how we all "see" things differently.
"Jumble of horns" that stung a little. I understand the point being made. Then again if we all wore brown shoes, drove the same car and ate the same food in my mind it would be a awfully boring world. I'm glad you enjoyed my jumbled mess of horns and body parts.
May 9, 2013 22:24:33 #
Steve M wrote:
Plymouth34: I am with photophili09, 3 is my favorite as well. and I agree, we all see things differently.
Great set and thanks for posting.
Steve
Great set and thanks for posting.
Steve
Thanks Steve,
It is people like you and photophil09 who keep people like me (a true amateur) interested in photraphy. I was a facilitator at the company I worked for. I know what a little encouragement can do for ones self confidence. Everybody needs a cheerleader. Take care and have a good night.
May 9, 2013 22:54:47 #
Lorimer
Loc: Kelowna B.C
Personally I think all three are great shots and you are lucky to have been there to take them! As far as perfect shots, you'll always be looking for that one :-)
May 10, 2013 00:36:03 #
Lorimer wrote:
Personally I think all three are great shots and you are lucky to have been there to take them! As far as perfect shots, you'll always be looking for that one :-)
:thumbup: :thumbup:
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