Fallow deer - the rut

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hand held Canon 1DX Canon 500mm f4 Auto ISO 640 1/1600 sec f7.1
I am a little disappointed really, I think I have captured something of the action but the intensity of the fight isn't there somehow. The fight was genuine enough, you can see the hooves are off the ground.
I am not too sure what I could have done differently, maybe a slower shutter speed?? Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Jonathan, another of the fun image. You had both eyes contact, which is great. that are on the grass, so no dust flying that conveys motion. Can't give you advise on lower SS since I have not tried it myself! Loi

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, Fallow deer are so beautiful, perhaps one of the nicest of the deer we have. I quite like the sparring aspect & locking of antlers, but it's the angle that isn't that great I think, looking down. As per one of your previous images, getting flat down looking up I think would have given the image more strength & character. By all means play with various SS, costs nothing and all to gain, just be clear in what you want to achieve.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Jonathan - Techs look good. I've had the same feeling as you after photographing elk or elephants sparring. It's often the sound that really makes the scene. I think a bit of dust does help but obviously not available in this situation. I wonder if framing it more off-center, in this case with more room to the right to depict the one with raised hooves making progress and pushing the one the on the left to the edge of the frame, would give more of the effect you want. Just another thought. I'm with Steve though keep experimenting to see what works.

TFS,
Rachel

[Jonathan Ashton]

Loi, sorry no advice it was more of a question really, I suppose the trick would be to get the eyes sharp and the hooves blurred. Steve now you said it I think you have hit the nail on the head, I think I am too high but I was on an incline and I had Barney with me so I didn't really want to get too close because I think he quite liked the idea of joining in! Rachel yes I will have a look at re-framing again, I did try a bit but maybe a little more may help.
Thanks very much everyone - much appreciated.

[Carl Walker]

Jonathan I think this is a great action shot and there is some really great detail here. I agree the grassy 'lawn' type possibly does not help but with both heads turned inwards as they are is well captured. Rachel has a good framing suggestion. I wonder if more off the top and more oof fg would assist here as well.