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Thread: American Bison

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    Default American Bison

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    While traveling across Oklahoma to visit family, I discovered the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It is a gem of a place and totally free of people. There is a free-roaming bison herd of 650 animals. And you are allowed to walk anywhere. I found a small bachelor herd slowly grazing and moving through a small woodland that I could photograph. I was lucky to have the morning sun at my back. My goal here was an image of that massive head.

    Canon 1D Mark IV, 400 f4 DO IS, 1/500, f5, ISO 800

    All comments and critiques most appreciated.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Imposing profile, Nancy. I never tire of seeing bison images, and wish that there were still some of the vast herds left of days gone by.
    My initial thoughts here were to crop tighter from the RHS and to extract a little more depth and sharpness from the bison. Let's see what other say too
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Morkel, I don't believe I had sharpened that image for the web. Here is a sharpened version. Is it better? I did not change the crop any at this point.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Nancy - nice close-up of an imposing fellow. Sharpness looks good in the repost except perhaps in the horns, I might apply a little less sharpening there. Did you take this in portrait orientation or crop it to this? I would prefer a bit more room on the lhs and agree a little less on the rhs. I hope you also took some wide shots of the herd that you'll share.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Nice one Nancy. The repost looks good, though I agree with Rachel on the horns. I'm OK with the crop.

    Thanks for the info on Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Nice to know there is some remnant of the Comanche Nation including bison, that is still intact.

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    Hello Nancy,

    I have seen one of these only from quite a distance, I was working and very disappointed I could not get closer. I like your shot, especially the repost but I agree with the comments, the sharpening is a bit too prominent on the horns and its a bit tight on the LHS...

    DON

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    A nice, intimate portrait of a powerful creature. Most of it's been covered already. Perhaps a little work in post to tame the bright background a bit. A little more space on the left would be nice. I won't rehash the rest of it.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Nancy, I don't mind the profile as is, but the RP certainly makes a big difference overall. I get the impression the subject has been lightened a fraction, or you have been easier on the exposure to avoid darkening any dark shadow areas. Agree on the comment about the horns, however I think you can easily address that back in the RAW. Adjusting the mid tones, then applying a couple of Curves adjustments, based on the RP brings a nice warmth and depth to the image which I think you would like and perhaps goes more in the direction of what, perhaps you saw. Based on the EXIF I might have just pushed the ISO a bit more to increase your DOF. Great to see you getting out & about.

    TFS
    Steve
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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Very nice indeed, referring to the original (I avoided other posts so I am not influenced by other comments), maybe a tad more contrast and some more sharpening, I quite like the crop.

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    Thank you very much everyone for your constructive comments. I'll rework and incorporate the suggestions. This is a crop so I can add to the LHS.

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    Nice work Nancy! I agree with Morkel and Rachel about the comp and sharpness. The repost looks better but, if you have room to the left I think a slight shift of the crop in that direction will improve the image. Always love seeing Bison and wish I had the opportunity to be around them more. As you mentioned, they are quite massive. Thanks for sharing!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Nancy, further to your PM here you go, hope it helps? I have also sent you some links from the Forum that should also help, as quite a few of the main contributors here use already. Also, please feel free to add any thoughts you may have on other threads, as a new pair of eyes is always welcome.

    cheers
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Like the richer colors and details of the reposts.

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    Steve K, thank you for the repost. I can see the richer colors that add depth. I'll study what you sent and will practice. Thanks so much!

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