Sunlit Peek

[Steve Canuel]

40D, 1-400L @ 400mm, f6.3, 1/160s, ISO 800, monopod mount, slight crop from top, more from both sides.

[Fabs Forns]

quite interesting light, Steve, normally I am not a fan of mixed light, but this one seems intriguing and with such a painterly BG. He seems to be coming out of the mist or out of a dream :)
I was going to suggest to lighten the other eye, but that may look very unnatural given the direction of the light.
Loving it!

[Robert Amoruso]

Steve, Like it just way you presented it.

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Steve. Normally, I'm not a fan of mixed light either, but I think the light on the deer's face plus the rim light on the antlers and back makes this one work. The detail in the shadows also helps and the light shining through the deer's right ear adds interest.

[Arthur Morris]

I'm with the group in liking this though I thought that I would not after viewing the thumbnail. I generally dislike mixed light. There are however two problems, one of which is serious.

#1: there are some overexposed pixels on the face. Re-convert to fix that. Then start over. What do you convert with?

2: the image needed some CCW rotation as the animals will almost always stand with their eyes level. I used the Ruler tool, drew a line from pupil to pupil, and hit Image/Rotate/Arbitrary. (Actually I have the latter saved as a keyboard shortcut: Control/?; it saves a lot of time.)

3- Lastly for the repost, I used a QM to cover the exposed fur. I could not fill in the edges because of the copyright and the border but you will get the idea.

[Steve Canuel]

Fabs, Robert, and Steve,
Thanks for the look and comments.

Artie,
Thanks for the comments, suggestions, and rework. You aked what I convert with and mentioned overexposed pixels on the face . I use DPP to convert RAW then use PS Elements 3 for the rest. With highlight alert set to 250 in DPP, I'm seeing maybe 20 pixels at 200% view (mostly on the eyelid). Are you seeing a larger amount? By overexposed do you mean blown or just too bright?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Steve, I am seeing a smattering of over-exposed pixels in the back/side-lit areas when I open the image in CS-3, open Levels, hold down the Alt key and the highlight slider together.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Steve, I am seeing a smattering of over-exposed pixels in the back/side-lit areas when I open the image in CS-3, open Levels, hold down the Alt key and the highlight slider together.

Got 'em. I was more curious about the amount you were seeing rather than if there were any at all. I agree with a smattering and will address that in future reworks of this one. Thanks for the help.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Steve, Here's a confession: the first time I checked Level the histogram was hugely clipped. I later realized that that was caused by the remaining white edges after the rotation!

[Stu Bowie]

The sidelight works well here Steve, and you have captured that eye perfectly. It is clearly evident, that he knew you were there, from the direct eye contact, and I like the diffused light in the BG. I like this lots. Artie's got sharp eyes with his repost.