Got this one during last year's rut on a late November afternoon of flat light and dull Fall colors. The biggest of three bucks hanging around a group of does, there was little action between them this day but they did keep checking on each other to make sure no one was getting too close to the does without a challenge. When one would try, the others would start closing in, usually resulting in all three veering off to less confrontational distances. 5dMKII, 400DO + 1.4xTCII, f6.3, 1/250s, ISO 3200. monopod, very small crop all around with most taken off the bottom, processed in PSE10.
Hi Steve - He gave a nice look to camera, really showing off his antlers too. You did well with the monopod, high ISO and relatively low ss. It does feel a little flat, probably due to the light and conditions. You can give it a little lift, particularly bringing out a bit more color with a luminosity mask and minor curves adjustments. WDYT?
Hi Steve - OP looks good to me already in terms of color/tone and contrast . RP gives it a bit pop but not really necessary for me.
OP is lacking a bit IQ , maybe because of the techs . Image does not freely look sharp to me .
I like the composition and the look into the cam.
I like this Steve, it pops well against that BG, colours are great and the framing too. IQ not bad at all for 1/250s! Rachel's RP does give it a tad more punch but - like Andreas above - I am also happy with the OP. Well done in posting this, a new species for me and I enjoyed viewing, please keep them coming!
Hi Steve, having a bit mote tonal depth helps, especially in the grass FG as per Rachel's RP. A few more light rounds of USM I think addresses Andreas concerns. As previous, I like the contrast between FG & BKG.
Steve you should take advantage of posting at 1200px wide and help the image overall, as the Guidelines have changed to 1200W, 900H.
Nice muted colours and soft light here, I like the cocked head as well. Rachel's RP lifts it a bit for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your "unshared" photos now
the RP does it only for me, when the grass gets back to the OP I love that kind of grass look. The RP gives a tad of punch for sure, but only if the grass….. IMHO
Thanks to all for the comments and the suggestions. I actually did some blurring to cut down the sharpness when I processed this, probably subconsciously to match the quiet feel of that time.
Rachel, your tweaks are subtle. I really only see them in the BG trees and grass.