The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
Hey all, new old member here. I used to participate in the original NPN from years ago. I am a nature photographer, working as a full-time pro. Here’s a recent image I captured using a custom-built remote camera trap. I have been into camera trapping for as long as I can remember, building crude “camera traps” as a young child using 35mm cameras and various triggers and solenoids to trigger the traps. Now I use DSLR and mirrorless cameras and PIR sensors.
Perhaps what I love most about camera trapping is capturing one-of-a-kind environmental portraits such as this. Even ordinary subjects like deer become something more, especially when you include natural ambient light combined with speedlights. I just did a quick edit on this image this morning, so let me know if you see anything that I missed. I wish there was a better composition here, but the meadow sits at the edge of a burn and there really isn’t much in the way of compositional material there besides the green grass and summer flowers. I’m really hoping I get a bear or wolf in this meadow, but for now, the deer will have to do.
Feedback Requested
I’d like to know where your eye goes first and how it moves through the image. Is the visual flow pleasing to the eye?
Technical Details
Tripod/handheld: Tripod (DSLR camera trap)
Focus method: (M)
Filters: (None)
Technique: 2 Speedlights, 1 key and 1 fill light
Conditions: Sunset
Processing software: Lightroom/PS
Major adjustments: None
Blending/stacking: None
Other notes: Exposure compensation used in camera as to not overexpose the sky
I thought that name looked familiar! Welcome back, Zack!
This is certainly a unique look at a meadow and its inhabitants. Your setup worked very well here. I like that it caught the buck looking into the camera.
You might consider removing the snag that’s touching the buck’s head, and also the snags just to the left of it’s rearend.
The processing, or in this case the lack of it, works pretty well, but you might consider toning down the brights a bit, especially in the sky. otherwise, this is a nice image!
-P
It looks like your camera trapping technique works pretty well, Zack. I do remember your name and think I may have seen some of your work in the Yellowstone area. I don’t know how your timing is set up, but to me, the deer looking at the camera implies that something cured it in on it’s presence and my personal taste would be for an image where it was less aware of the camera. The line of deer makes for a nice composition, though if I had my druthers, I’d like it slanted a bit more toward the top of the frame, but you can’t get them to take direction even when you are there to give it, so that’s something only soluble by getting a lot of images. A very interesting technique. Hope you can find time to stay active on the site.
My eyes go first to the foreground buck and then to the right following the descending line of deer with a short stop to view the two deer behind the second buck. I also like the “wavy” flow of the light green leaves in the foreground, and how it mimics the right-to-left flow of the deer. For me the visual flow is very pleasing. I didn’t see the snag at the rear of the stag, but after Jim mentioned it , I notice it every time I view the image. I agree with Jim’s suggestion to remove it and the other snag he mentioned (if you are so inclined).
Such a unique perspective! The deer being so close and the detail in the grass, combined with state of alert with all the deer really makes the viewer fell thet are in the scene. It is very painterly as well. To answer your questions, first is the foreground deer, then my eye went to the foreground grasses, and then moving back and to the right, then a more wider appreciation of the landscape. I think it has great flow, the deer act as a natural leading line. Terrific work!
Hi Zack,
I remember you! I’ve been around since the 2010 era too. Good to see you back.
This setup worked nicely. I can see the point about toning down the highlights, especially in the sky, and I totally understand the preference for a less direct look from the deer; however, I also think that it’s the brightness in the middle of the image, where the deer look very light and 3D along with the direct look at the camera that make this really eye-catching and engaging. The deer looks curious and also kind of bold, like “What the heck? Thank God there’s not a guy in camo holding that flash,” but also “May I help you?”
I might remove the tip of the snag touching the deer’s face.
Looking forward to seeing your work here again,
ML
Good to see you back at NPN. The lighting is spot on and the band of light-colored grass ties it all together. I would leave the snags in place–its habitat and that’s what nature provided you for the shot. Well done…Jim
Zack, your camera trap must make some noise as several of the deer are staring at “you”. That “fading into the distance” symmetry of following the deer makes for very interesting viewing. I do like the details in the grass and the cloudy sky.
I find it interesting how much that foreground shaded area adds to the image. It would have been a great image either due to their expressions but that shade makes it better.
Hello Zack. I have never critiqued a trapped picture. LOL. But I really like it. You are losing detail in the sky highlights and I think that should be toned down. On the other hand, I am distracted by the dark foreground. Got it on the burned area, but just a little crop closer and some cloning tool maybe?
The eye trail is very nice.
Ok, technically I don’t know how you got everything so very very sharp, even the tree’s in the back. Don’t take this as a challenge, I am just impressed with what you captured.
Welcome back Zack! And wow, what a capture to splash back in with. I’ve never done anything like trap photography, but I love how you’ve combined that with a beautiful landscape. Amazing.
