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Thread: Sparring Sika

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Sparring Sika

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    Well I thought I might add to the 'pot' of Deer postings. A while back I posted a Male Sika Deer, this was the action he was looking at.

    With the rut on, you want long lens as Deer are very unpredictable and can get very funny during this period, sadly as the action unfolded these two go closure & closure, more intent on sparring rather than taking into account of my presence under the huge Oak, plus the wind was from recollection in the right direction. The eye sight as Stu, Jonatan & Keith know, might not be great, but smell is oh so keen and wild deer can be skittish at the best of times, bolting in a second.

    No chance of taking the convertor off, or grabbing the 200-400 as that was on the other side of the tree, so stuck with a tight format sadly, however, hopefully it has some interest with the sparring and looking of antlers.

    Andreas, see any in Bandhavgarh?

    Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.


    Steve

    Subject: Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) youngsters sparring during the rut
    Location: UK
    Camera: Canon 1DX
    Lens: 500f/4 with 1.4Ext HH
    Exposure: 1/1000s at f/5.6 ISO800 (shot now, I would have easily gone to ISO2500 for more SS)
    Original format: Landscape, FF on width
    Processed via: LRCC & PSCC

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Steve - I like the intertwined antlers and the clear view of the eye. Colors look good too. Yes, a little more room on the sides would be preferable but understand you did not expect them to come so close. I like the low pov but think you can retain it while removing about half the oof grass at the bottom for even more of a pano as an alternative, maybe just above your signature.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Steve it's good that you got such a clear view of the eye,think there might be a look of fear in it.Don't think I would change it much apart from maybe a tad more on the right.Very well caught action.

    Keith.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I just feel Rachel you need some FG space to lead the eye to the subject.

    Cheers Keith, you know what these guys are like in the rut, personally I would not like to come between these guys. Just saw one of the Roe deer darting across on the way to the Wol's.

  5. Thanks Rachel Hollander thanked for this post
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    Hi Steve -- This is a wonderful image ! I liked that low POV and the visible eye , lovely tones and some deadly action makes this image for me . Too bad on the tightness on the RHS but the action covers up that part.

    TFS !

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    I like the shot as you say a tad tight in the frame but it looks good - maybe just a dd a little canvas in the RHS?. I have only had fleeting glances of these deer I didn't appreciate how dark they were.

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    Hi Steve, I like the acton here and the visible eye adds interest. PP looks great and though it is tight on the RHS, you still got them 'in'. So well done sir! Cheers!!

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    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Hi Steve

    Yes, a bit more space on the RHS would be be a bonus, no idea where this fight might go..
    Agree with Rachel re cropping a bit from below, at © or just above, find my eye wandering there.
    Love the eye of Left Hand Deer...
    Stunning detail as expected.
    TFS
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hello Steve stunning action shot of the Sika with a nice low POV .
    The locking and the eye of the left rack is priceless good .
    Shame about the missing space on both sides .... but this happens to all of us
    I am fine with the space on top and bottom , well chosen with the limited options you had .

    The colors and sharpness are spot on , i just miss some more detail and " form " within the subject , it might be the shadowy side that is giving this " effect" . As a solution i might open up the shadows / mid tones and tear them more apart , as histogram is way to the left and can stand some opening from my POV .

    PS : this species does not live in India , as far as i know , but i might be wrong .


    TFS Andreas
    Last edited by Andreas Liedmann; 03-23-2016 at 02:06 PM.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Good evening Steve,

    I can just imagine the "thud" of this powerful clash - love those two characters in conflict and the way their antlers intertwine. Lots of drama and that wide open eye remains the focus of the viewer's attention.

    Lovely rich colours and great detail, I too wish for a tad more on the RHS but I fully understand it was not possible under the circumstances. I completely agree with you regarding space on the top and bottom of the image.

    A well captured moment and an image well exposed and processed - I just hope with time those two Sika were reconciled?

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Fabulous capture Steve makes me hanker for the fallow in oct. Hopefully aquired knowledge will get us further this time,but you have nailed this one,for sure. Steve I'm very unfamiliar with this species,i'm too taken with the colour wow they are dark. I love the russet tones you have captured within that dark coat!

    I adore the dynamic interaction Steve,obviously the eye has been mentioned but the two guys poses conveys such drama. Is this early in the day Steve dew on the ground?

    Wonderful to view sure tight in the frame ,but still a joy Steve

    take care

    Stu

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Steve, great action here, and love the eye of the LH Deer, and am amazed at the position of the head of the RH Deer - it looks like his head is totally squashed in. Well exposed on both, and nicely captured that you didnt cut anything off being that close.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Cracking action here, visible eye makes it. Good colours and nothing you can do about tight space Steve.
    Richmond or Bushy or elsewhere?

    I am fine with FG space as presented.
    Morkel Erasmus

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