Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Sorry/not sorry for this butt-shot, but this was the ONLY photo I got of this big boy. In every other attempt, there were either trees or several cows in the way. He was the big bull with the harem that my “Mudbath Bull” was following one early morning several years ago. Obviously, older and wiser, because his spatial awareness was excellent - he knew exactly where I was perched and made sure I wasn’t going to get a good shot at him. And the only reason he stopped and looked back was because the younger, smaller bull had bugled. Clearly it didn’t faze him at all, because he simply dropped over the berm and disappeared into the trees without bothering to answer.
Specific Feedback
I think I over-burned a spot in the upper portion of the tree to the left of the bull - it looks a little discolored to me. Suggestions? And any other comments are welcome.
Technical Details
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/50, 200mm (I know, the shutter speed was way too low for the focal length, but I was pleased with how sharp he came out). Light burning on the bright spots.
His head look nicely sharp even in the largest view, so you’re pretty steady with your camera. His antlers are quite impressive. I can think of two options for the tree highlights, 1) low opacity, say 15-20% cloning from the surrounding bark, which will give you some of the bark’s color and texture or 2) burn-in with a brush color taken from the nearby bark. Getting “critters” in a “good” pose is always challenging since they don’t take directions very well and it’s important that we photogs don’t disturb them.