Mule Deer Stare

[Nancy Bell]

I would be glad for some opinions on this one. I like the direct stare of the doe with a bit of grass in her mouth, but I'm not sure about the OOF grasses in front of her. Do they add to the moment or do they detract?

Canon 7D, Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS @ 195, f6.3, 1/100, exp. comp. +1/3, ISO 400

Thank you for all comments and critiques.

[Robert Amoruso]

I like the framing affect of the grasses and the pine bough in the BG. Might have been better without the OOF grass right at the chest close to the mouth, but the head is not obstructed and that is good.

I suggest doing a selection on the eyes and lightening them (curves can be used).

[Alan Melle]

From my perspective cropping this to a vertical with a 4x5 aspect ratio and correcting the color balance produces a winner. I have no problem with the grasses in front of the doe. Very nice!

[Nancy Bell]

While working on the changes suggested I reviewed my other photos in the same series and found one without so much grass in front of it. But my orginal choice was the only one with grass in her mouth and the pines framing in the BG. So I merged the two photos and ended up with this one, without so much grass plus the suggested changes. And no I have no more room on the bottom, only to the sides.

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you all for your suggestions. They really help me!

[Rachel Hollander]

Nancy - great improvement on the repost.

TFS,
Rachel

[Judy Howle]

The repost is very nice!
Judy

[Arthur Morris]

I much prefer the image in Pane 5. The first two were too contrasty for me and the grasses centered below the face are quite distracting to me.