Project 52 by Chuck Schneebeck

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I agree with Dave on the Elk shot - I think that one looks great.

I might be inclined to do a bit of post processing on the flower and bring out a bit more colour to it - particularly the version against the background. The green leaves are a distraction for me that take away from the flower as well - they don't work as a background because they're in focus and don't cover the entire background so they drag my eye from the flower as a point of focus. Easily fixed in your next shot

[FrankMi]

My favorite is the elk shot and it really helps to have the narrative to complete the image. Given that the elk is climbing to higher ground John, I'd be tempted to rotate the image slightly CCW to increase the sense of climbing. I don't see any objects in the image that would make me feel that it wasn't a level image if you just increased the angle a small amount.

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Here is a tighter crop on the steers head. I hope this addresses some of your observations. Keep in mind that this flower is only one-half inch across. And the color of the flower varies with its age. They are in bloom for only a few days each spring so some of my adjustments will have to wait until next year. Hope I'm around to take better photos. :-)

[Teton Chuck]

Frank, through the magic of computers the elk is now traveling uphill. What do you think?

Thanks for the input. Chuck

[FrankMi]

Frank, through the magic of computers the elk is now traveling uphill. What do you think?

Thanks for the input. Chuck

For me, it fits the narrative better and if you posted the image somewhere with a caption the includes that concept, I think it would go over very well.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Nice one Chuck I agree with Frank - your redo improves the context.

[Teton Chuck]

Two photos again this week. The first is of a female moose. I was walking along a small stream thinking how nice it would be if sometime I could find a moose there, when I heard something coming through the forest, making lots of noise. I watched and out walked this moose. At first she had her ears back and showed other signs of being annoyed by my presence, but soon she settled down and began to eat the vegetation from the bottom of the stream. It was late morning and given her position by the tree I was stuck with back lighting. All in all, I had a good time just sitting quietly and enjoying her.


The second photo is of bison on a ridge with Buck Mountain of the Teton range in the background. These bison are ancestors of a very small herd that survived the slaughter of bison during the settling of the American west. I liked the idea of having the large mountain in the background and the bison standing out against the sky. I was hoping that this very primitive looking animal against the mountain would evoke some primal feelings.

[FrankMi]

Another nice set Chuck! You are fortunate to live in a magical land that I only get to visit for a few days in my lifetime and you images convey your knowledge and camaraderie with the area and its inhabitants. Lucky guy!

For the first one, whatever you can do to separate the moose from the background will help her to stand out a bit more. Usually I try a reduced contrast or a mild blur on just the background to see if it helps.

In the second shot you seem to have two subjects. The bison on the left looks like it should be the obvious choice with its magnificent pose but two on the right together are larger and larger is usually noticed before smaller. I think I would try cloning out the back of the one just over the hill and crop the scene to include just the bison on the left as it has the best pose. You should have sufficient width to make it work but if it ends up looking 'tight', you could increase the feeling of width by losing some on the bland sky. Hope this helps!

[Teton Chuck]

Frank, very helpful. I am just learning to use my Elements 10 so this could be a project that takes longer than it should. I do appreciate your insights.

chuck

[Teton Chuck]

This weeks photos were taken in the Red Desert on southern Wyoming near the Killpecker Dune Field, the largest active sand dune field in North America. According to the book, Roadside Geology of Wyoming, "The name comes from Killpecker Creek, colorfully named by the U.S. Calvalry in the 1860's because of the mineral-rich water's effect on the troops." The first two photos were taken in the late evening. The second one was taken toward the sun with back lighting. There was a very strong wind blowing, moving a great deal of sand which resulted in the smooth texture of the second photo.







The next two photos are of wild horses that live in the Red Desert. I am posting photos of two different stallions here. These horses fight for breeding rights to mares, and as a result have many scars, and open wounds. Their manes and tails are very long and form dreadlocks.

[Geoff F]

Very good shots which show the area perfectly.

I may consider a slight crop of the bottom and right side with the last one, to reduce the amount of foreground grass slightly. But I'm not totally sure.

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks Geoff. I'll give it a try.

chuck

[Teton Chuck]

I took the photo of the three bison in Grand Teton National Park. I liked the way they were walking side-by-side, and hoped that I could capture the power of these animals. The massive necks and back humps are large muscles that are used in the winter to swing the head from side-to-side to remove snow and expose grass, their food. Because of the contrast between the black heads and brown bodies, bison are difficult to photograph and show the detail in the dark areas.



The second photo is of Brewers Blackbirds. It was taken in the morning when the light was relatively low in the sky. There was some back lighting and I was able to capture the golden eye of each bird. The very slight rainbow colors on the bird on the right are common on many "black" birds in certain light. As odd as this shot is, I like it. It feels like it should be a sculpture instead of a photo. Feel free to pour on the C & C. I suspect I have it coming.

[Teton Chuck]

This week I am posting some pictures that are representative of two days of photographing in Jackson Hole.

This cow elk is in the late stages of molting. She has shed much of her winter coat and is growing a summer coat. The lighter fir on her side is from last winter. The smooth fir with a reddish tinge is new summer growth. Notice that her belly is rounded. She is pregnant and will be having her calf right around June 1. So will most the other elk. By all having their calves within a few days of each other it is more likely that more will survive. Bears and other predators know when calving happens, and they hang around for some easy pickings. I took this photo just as the sun was coming up which gives the golden glow to the elk.



This bighorn ram was standing on a ridge in the early morning light. I liked the light on his horns and just his regal stance.


This black bear was feeding on an open slope. I got to watch him for about five minutes before he disappeared into the forest. He had no interest in me, just in eating.


Within 20 minutes of finding the black bear I found these cinnamon phase of black bears, a sow with her cub. This was a very unusual sighting as I was only 11 meters from the sow. The distance to the cub varied depending on its activity. The sow kept an eye on me during the duration of the shoot. I was behind my car, so I had to hand hold the camera. Perhaps these three photos will give some idea of the setting.

Cinnamon Sow

Being Watched

Cub On A Rock

One of the favorite foods for bears in the early summer in the Tetons is Biscuit Root, a small plant with yellow flowers. When the bears find a field of these flowers they graze like bison. I decided to post a picture of Biscuit Root because I'm trying to learn to use a macro lens. Hope you enjoyed these photos.

[Geoff F]

Excellent series there, Chuck.

The only slight thing I would consider altering is the cub in the foliage 'Being watched'.

Is it possible to do something about that well out of focus branch coming from the left? Cloning may be a bit tricky though. Alternatively, would a crop to a different size, maybe finish up with a 4 x 5 ratio, be worth trying?

It is such a perfect shot otherwise, so I think it would be worth a little extra editing of some form.

[Teton Chuck]

Geoff, thank you for the feedback. I think I will try to clone it out when I return from a short trip. I do appreciate your feedback.

chuck

[FrankMi]

I agree with Geoff's comment about the branch and it might not hurt to zoom in a bit to get the expression on the cubs face to be more prominent in the composition.

Even at the 'Cub On A Rock's tender age I don't think I'd want to tangle with those claws!

[Teton Chuck]

Frank, thanks for the input. I am traveling right now but will be back in Jackson next Tuesday. I will try to make some of the adjustments that you and Geoff have suggested. I have a number of other photos of the bear pair, but thought this was plenty to post.

Cheers, Chuck

[Teton Chuck]

Here is a cropped version of the cub up a tree. I think it does help.

[jeeperman]

Yes, it does help Chuck. Nice series. All nice shots but the one of the cub sitting on the rock is my favorite I think. I was just looking tonight at some bear shots a friend sent, he too got lucky with a cinnamon sow and cubs. Couple of friends went to Yellowstone for the week and left me here to send images to.
Tough being the one still working for a living.