Survivor

Critique Style Requested: In-depth

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Self Critique

I like usual a large aperture to blur out the background in wildlife portraits like this. She was close enough that I did not get the entire body in focus. This was intentional and I like the longer hair on the forelegs is slightly blurry, creating a contrast to the harshness of the conditions. Do you wish more was in focus? I imagine stopping down a few would not have negatively affected the background.

Creative direction

I love portraits of wildlife like this and have wanted a good one of a bison for a while. I waited until fewer bison were in the image and then cropped a few on the edges out. I want viewers not to feel sorry for the Bison, but to be amazing at her resilience and strength.

Specific Feedback

Again, how about the depth of field…does that work for you? I had several images to chose from and picked this one because its not perfectly symmetrical and I like the way that while the body itself is more or less centered, the head is not. Do you like that or wish the head to be more centered?

Technical Details

Nikon D850
Nikon 500mm f/4
ISO 640, f/4, 1/640th
I’ve processed this in Lightroom utilizing a few masks for the body and the background. I passed it through Topaz Sharpen on “standard” to crisp up the eyes and snowflakes a bit.

Description

She’s missing most of one horn. She’s been sweeping deep snow aside just to find a meager bite of dried grass. It was snowing steadily and the next day would bring sub-zero temperatures. Odds are good that she’s carrying the next generation of her kind deep inside that well insulated coat. She’s a survivor and I was honored to be in her presence.


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It’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything, let alone critiqued an image. I lack eloquent words, but here goes.

I saw the smaller teaser image and didn’t pay it much regard. When I clicked to enlarge, all your words suddenly came into being. What a beautiful, powerful, yet so serene beast she is. You’ve captured her to perfection.

The depth of field has worked a treat and conveys the feeling of the temperature and blur of ice and snow. I like the slightly off centre pose.

If I was to suggest anything thing at all I might consider burning down the lighter, roundish shapes at the top of the image…ever so slightly. Certainly not a nit, just a thought.

I meant to get to this earlier and got snowed in myself – but with the proverbial snow of everyday life. I LOVE this! What a great lumbering beast! The show is perfect, both on the Bison and for the BG. The DOF is perfect, to give a sense of depth and size. This deserves a huge print. Robert Bateman couldn’t have done better!

And, @glennie – welcome back!! I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you and hope all is well! I SO look forward to seeign your wonderful work again!

@glennie @Diane_Miller Thanks for taking the time to comment. I see what you’re talking about Glenys. I went back and tried a few things, but didnt like the effect. I think I need to go back to the RAW file and not the tiff that I ended up with after sharpening. I think you’re on to something there. Oddly, I usually prefer a dark vignette around portraits like this, but somehow lighter looked more wintery for this scene. Diane, I’d forgotten about Robert Bateman, but after looking him up, I have definitely seen his work. In fact, that style of painting is exactly what I have been leaning toward in some of my own work. It’s somehow detailed, yet soft. The colors are there, but slightly muted. I love it!

A stunning image, very nicely captured, can make a beautiful cover shot.
I may increase the contrast a touch.

I think the DoF works just fine here to create the intended effect. I’m guessing that your mask work helped create the gauzy feel (and, like Jagdeep mentioned, there’s a lack of contrast that also contributes), which to me seems unrealistic. But there’s no doubt it gives a dreamy look to the scene, which as an artist, may have been your ultimate goal. It’s a fine image, Paul.

I was going for a dreamier image, but enough has been noted about contrast that I should have another look at it!

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