That's all I could think off when I saw this guy at the York Center For Wildlife, http://www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org/index.php , a rehab center for avian subjects mostly. It was released near the center and he likes it so much he stays right out in the open.
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, Shooting Date/Time 5/2/2008 107:18, Shutter Speed 1/250Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F11, Evaluative metering, Exposure Compensation -1/3, ISO 400, Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM, Focal Length: 300.0 mm. On Gitzo Tripod using the Wimberley ll, imaged from 12 feet away, about 70% of frame here.
This is my first porcupine and I converted it to B&W to give it a better feel. What do you think?
I like the idea here, Grady. He sure looks prickly! I would wish that the nose and teeth were sharper although I note that you used a fairly high f/stop. I'm not sure about the B&W treatment (however, I'm not a big B&W fan in general - others may like it). Not having seen the original, I would think that the orange/yellow teeth would provide a nice contrast with the dark fur and white quills.
Hi Grady,
I like the B&W conversion and i like the crop you chose. Wish for a little higher head position.......and I'm fairly certain you could bring up the sharpness of the teeth which would improve it overall. 12 feet!!! You might be lucky you weren't wearing any quills!
Very cool! I think the B&W works for this, you didn't get a mouthfull of teeth so there isn't much color to show. As steve said its a very personal opinion.
Besides the more DOF that was noted, I think its a great shot.
Thanks guys! You're right, there was no teeth, much, to show. And he did not move around much. We should have brought a carrot, he likes them. Kristen, the handler, said he was fairly docile and he followed her around like a pet, even letting her "pet him", as much as you could pet a porcupine. The original had a slight color cast due to being imaged on a red cedar and pressure treated deck. the hot sun reflected strangely on the subject. I think next time we will "move" him to rock or stump. Thanks.
Great image Grady... I too like the B&W treatment. I think the face being lower in the frame only helps emphasize the extent of the prickly points on his head.