What do I need to do to improve this photo? I took this photo of a doe this morning at the Viera Wetlands in Florida. Below is some tech info about it. I would appreciate feedback on...

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

I took this photo of a doe this morning at the Viera Wetlands in Florida. Below is some tech info about it. I would appreciate feedback on how I can improve this photo. Thanks ADubin

o Camera - Nikon D300S
o Lens - Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR
o Flash - Nikon SB800 with a Better-Beamer
o IS0 - 400
o Speed - 1/250 sec
o Aperture - f-7.1

TJ Loc: Austraila, Toowoomba.

less flash, more natual light maybe.

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

TJ, Thanks for your feedback about my photo. ADubin

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

The only thing i see that could be improved is thee flash. maybe angleing the flash head or useing flash compensation to reduce intensity. otherwise good shot.

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I have to agree, the flash is a little bright! great shot though!

TJ Loc: Austraila, Toowoomba.

No worries mate, good shot,im no photographer and don't understand the tec side yet but wow there's some good stuff on this site and good ppl to it seems.
So polite of you to thank me for a responce....cheers

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Hey tj It is a common but unwritten courtesy to respond to people who leave positive or negative comments so expect to be thanked more often. unfortunately the younger facebook'myspace generation never learned that lesson. By the way I loved your shots of your friends restored dodge charger. How did american muscle get over to australia? forget walkabout that car makes me want to go driveabout. :thumbup:

BRobb Loc: Florida

Yeah I am in agreement, the flash almost gives it a fake look...as if the deer is stuffed. One thing I will say is it made the contrast between the green grass and his tan deer hide stand out, and interesting effect. Also ask the deer to get a nose job it is kinda big. :) Great shot, how far away where you to get it?

PitchurMan Loc: Michigan

Nice shot, but I agree with others regarding the overdone flash. It looks like it could be a diorama in a natural history museum.

I took the liberty of doing a little Photoshoppery. First, a Levels adjustment to reduce overall brightness. Second, a gradient from the bottom to about half-way up with a dark brown color, copied from the photo. Third, changed the blending mode of the gradient layer to "Overlay."

If you don't have Photoshop CS5 you can do the same thing with Photoshop Elements 9, which is much less expensive. If you don't have either program this won't mean anything to you, but here is an example of what you can do to improve the photo with imaging software.

ianhargraves1066 Loc: NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida

Do exactly what Picturemans suggestion. I have Paintshop Pro ($69) but most of the time I use the Microsoft Live Picture programe that is FREE. The density and contrast can be altered so easily and the additional density is whats needed here. The flash was a little strong but you cant alter that now. Keep it up , great shot.
Ian Hargraves
Port Orange Florida
igh1066@hotmail.com

ianhargraves1066 Loc: NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida

Do exactly what Picturemans suggestion. I have Paintshop Pro ($69) but most of the time I use the Microsoft Live Picture programe that is FREE. The density and contrast can be altered so easily and the additional density is whats needed here. The flash was a little strong but you cant alter that now. Keep it up , great shot.
Ian Hargraves
Port Orange Florida
igh1066@hotmail.com

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

Jess,

Thanks for making the modifications on this photo. I was planning to do something on it this afternoon, but you did for me. I primary use LR3 to enhance 95% of my photos and also use CS4 plus many plug-ins for LR3 and PS. I used the flash to pop the colors because others photos I took that morning were flat looking. This is a technique I was told to use by several professional nature photographers. I agree, I should have darken it and toned the colors a little. Thanks again, ADubin

PitchurMan wrote:

Nice shot, but I agree with others regarding the o... (show quote)

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

were you using the built in flash or an atached to the hot shoe flash. they make mini difusers to attach to built in flash as well aS ATTACHABLE FLASH. OR IN A PINCH YOU CAN MCGYVER IT BY USING TISSUE PAPER ATTACHED WITH RUBBER BANDS TO THE HEAD OF THE FLASH TO MUTE INTENSITY. :thumbup:

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

I was using a Nikon SB800 Flash with a Better Beamer to take this photograph. I'm aware using a diffuser, and use it when I'm taking people portraits or for close-up work. ADubin

sinatraman wrote:

were you using the built in flash or an atached to the hot shoe flash. they make mini difusers to attach to built in flash as well aS ATTACHABLE FLASH. OR IN A PINCH YOU CAN MCGYVER IT BY USING TISSUE PAPER ATTACHED WITH RUBBER BANDS TO THE HEAD OF THE FLASH TO MUTE INTENSITY. :thumbup:

Travis Loc: Wetumpka, Alabama

I have to agree with most that there is too much flash. But I like darker photos so what I like may not be for you. I love the shot, beautiful capture.