This Buck takes the Lead

[mstrozewski]

Yesterday evening, while taking a drive around Antelope Island, I saw several vehicles pulled over to the side with their binoculars and cameras. Well, up along the edge was a few Bucks foraging in the vegetation and every so often they'd look back at the paparazzi of humans down below.

[Kodiak]

… around Antelope Island…

Splendid and majestic are the first words coming up looking at the deer!

The take, if I may, is too dead centred. Otherwise slightly overexposed,
which is giving a painterly aspect to the shot… I like that!

[csa mt]

Wow! What a rack on him! It looks like he's "in velvet" also! I'm guessing he's a mule deer. I love the sagebrush surrounding him.

Can't say anything more than excellent, outstanding, well done, congratulations!

[Manfred M]

+1 to Kodiak's comments. They are very much in line with my views on this magnificent shot.

[mstrozewski]

Thanks guys. I knew someone would remark on the dead center I was sitting from below and he didn't stand like that for long, plus given the slower SS I was basically trying for a focused shot of him. But, I kind of like it dead centered....the focus is on him with the brush around. It was slightly under exposed when I took it, so I increased the brightness to bring out details. But thanks everyone.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Mike Buckley]

Also consider adding a very slight vignette. You might have already done that. If so, try making it just a bit darker, not so that it's noticeable but so it draws attention to the gorgeous light on the animal.

[terrib]

I think it is a lovely photo. Cropping/Aspect Ratio is such a personal preference. Perhaps if you like him centered, a square crop would work better?

[IzzieK]

I like the shot very much, Mavourneed...the first thing I noticed was the background rocks though because of the nice colours in them. Oh I like the buck shot too. As others have already said, it is an excellent shot. The background works very well with the animal, OK...deer.

[NorthernFocus]

That is one beautiful buck. Firing those quick shots rarely allow time for on the spot compositional adjustments therefore result in centered shots. Composition is clearly a matter of taste and I agree with prior comments that a slight crop would significantly improve the shot. IMO a 4X5 format with the nose just slightly to right of center so he's looking into the frame would be an improvement. I'm not on a calibrated monitor so won't comment on techs. On this machine and viewed in the lightbox it looks good.

[mstrozewski]

Tell you guys what. I give you permission to change the image how you see fit. Let's crop it , add another vignette or whatever else you think would make it better. Ready?

[Kodiak]

Tell you guys what. I give you permission to change the image how you see fit. Let's crop it , add another vignette or whatever else you think would make it better. Ready?

Almost irresistible offer! I would be tempted to take the challenge if it was not
for the file's too small size! I would like a FF 1600 pixel/long side please…
and a coffee!

[mstrozewski]

Ok later when I'm home I'll get you a 1600px image

[NorthernFocus]

Tell you guys what. I give you permission to change the image how you see fit. Let's crop it , add another vignette or whatever else you think would make it better. Ready?

Here's the previously recommended crop.

[bnnrcn]

I like the image as is , although the deer is centered IMO the surroundings add to the image a lot and a crop won't work fine. Even so I would like to see the alternative crops. I like the painterly look very much in the image, actually I like everything in this image

[Nicks Pics]

I partially agree with the majority of the above comments, though I would not want to loose what I like about the first shot: the striking head of the buck being the center of attention of the whole scene. I also like the pale vegetation for contrast to the deer.

I like Dan's version, but it depends on what it would be used for. That is what I'm finding out you need to know in order to know how to do it right. If it was for a field guide, obviously you would crop it even more, if for a wall decoration, I might work off of the first version.