The harem

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

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The losers

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Well, not the best images of deer, but this is more about the story.
The first image is featuring the dominant male, guarding his harem of does. The second one was taken only a few hundred meters further away. It is about the young guys, different in age, but they all have to wait at least one more season for a second chance…
The circumstances were far from ideal for photography: dim light (early morning), heavy clouds, pretty far away. But the experience was great. The bellowing (is that the word?) of the dominant male could be heard long before I could see the animals. The youngsters banished boredom with some playful wrestling, but never longer than a few seconds. Better to save energy for next season.

Specific Feedback

Most important: Do the images tell the story?
All other feedback welcome, as always.

Technical Details

Pentax K3 Mk. III, 4.5/150-450mm @290mm and 450mm, ISO6400, f/6.3, 1/400 en 1/100s.

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
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Technical:

2

Interesting frame with beautiful grassland. I may darken the foreground grasses.

3

Hi Han, the images along with the text tell the story well of young deer having to wait til next season for their shot at mating.

4

Thanks @JRajput and @Allen_Sparks for your comments!

5

Han, both views speak to how these animals behave. I’m guessing that you got these in Europe. In the USA, we call these Elk and their calls are “bugling”. That’s a fine looking big bull in the first post.

6

Hans: the photos do tell the story well. I would darken the grassy foregrounds a bit. In N. America, the sound the bull elk makes is called bugling.

7

Thank you @Mark_Seaver and @Richard_Sandor for your comments!

8

Thanks for the EP!