Shenandoah Whitetail buck - finally

Posted by Wil Hershberger on Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:33 pm

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©Wil Hershberger 2003 All rights reserved
During my second trip to the mountain in as many weeks I finally found some bucks. This was the most impressive of the bunch that would allow me to approach to within shooting range.
This 8 pointer had a 9 doe harem and seemed very unconcerned regarding my presence. The light was very low due to heavy overcast. The woods were rather thick in this area with under brush so I was shooting hand held.
EOS 1Ds, 180mm macro lens, no IS, 1/160 sec, f/5, ISO 400, WB set to cloudy and converted that way. I did not use flash, the catch light in the eye is from the sky. In PS, levels, USM with FocalBlade and noise reduction with NeatImage.
I had envisioned this very pose since last weekend. What do you think? Is the pose and crop working? I was on a hill above him and he was standing on uneven ground.
Comments welcome,

[url=http://www.cricketman.blogspot.com][b]Wil Hershberger[/b][/url] | [b]NSN0025[/b]
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Wil Hershberger
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by Kelly on Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:58 pm

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Great job with the detail, sharpness, exposure and pose on this very impressive buck! I'd personally prefer a lower shooting angle but that might not have been possible with the vegetation.

Kelly O'Neill

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by Jill on Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:51 pm

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Yes, Wil, the pose and crop is really working IMO. Am unbothered by the angle. The image is outstanding ... and I think you should use it as your avatar!!!

Jill Rosenfield

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by Dennis Olivero on Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:25 pm

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Wil
To my eye this is an outstanding photograph.. The detail is wonderful and the light here allowed you to capture that well. The only thing that could make these even better would be a little less down angle, but it doesnt sound like that was possible here. Thanks for posting in Wildlife.

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by DC on Wed Dec 03, 2003 5:10 am

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Works for me Wil

Amazing amount of detail you captured here. Way to persevere.

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by Carol Clarke on Wed Dec 03, 2003 5:36 am

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Beautiful buck Wil, I would love to see an even closer crop of just the head but this is a lovely image as is.

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by chris earle on Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:52 am

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Wil,

Fantastic shot. The crop works well in this shot, and I like the angle in this case. It gave you a nice clean shot at the head and antlers which can be tough when the deer are in the thick stuff.

I'm glad that Shenandoah finally made it worth your trip. If you can make it back, the Big Meadows area has been very productive lately. In the last week I've counted 10 different buck there with 6 of them having 8 points or more.

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by Karen S on Wed Dec 03, 2003 8:32 am

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This is a beautiful shot Wil.

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by Michael Brown on Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:36 am

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It is the overall light and color that really grabs me here Wil, then you tack on nice detail and and wonderful comp ....................... that spells "winner!"

Love it!
Mike

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by E.J. Peiker on Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:46 am

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Gorgeous creature and a very nice shot that makes me feel like I am seeing into its personality. In a perfect world I would prefer the tree to not be there.

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by Tim Grams on Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:55 am

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Its a great shot in my book. The tone and textures are consistent through out the image. The deer has a nice pose and 1 eye is clearly visible. The angle on his back adds interest. Looking down on him is fine with me- deer aren't always on the highest ground.

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by Alan Melle on Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:07 am

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Nice shot! Wow, you were close to get this with a 180mm. I think a vertical crop of the head and chest (just above the legs) with appropriate room on the left would also work.

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by Harvey Edelman on Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:16 am

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Excellent image.

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by Bill Whala on Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:30 am

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Excellent shot. I like how the rear being higher than the shoulders creates a diagonal across the frame.

Very nice!!

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by Rich S on Wed Dec 03, 2003 8:01 pm

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Works by me. Great detail and nice soft light. Might take a tad off the bottom to remove the bit of legs.

Out of curiosity, where in the Shenandoah? (I lived in the valley for eight years.)

Rich

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by NDCheryl on Wed Dec 03, 2003 8:29 pm

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Nice portrait. I too would like a bit off the bottom, up to the chest.

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by Wil Hershberger on Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:07 pm

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Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions.
I was looking at the crop and thought that I would place the bottom of the frame at his chest rather than cut into it. I can imagine several other crops too.
Rich,
This was taken very close to the Spitler Knob overlook area ~mile 48 I think.
Thanks again,

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by Laura Stiefel on Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:55 am

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Hi Will. This is a beautifully detailed photo to begin with. Scrolling up and over I found that I really love it with your suggested crop at the chest.

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