Bighorn and Blue Sky -Jasper STL

Steve,
This is an awesome shot. I remember it. It is so simple and so nicely lit with really good eye detail and a very pleasing pose and placement in the frame. What's not to like here. I usually prefer the images of the bighorns with the scenery but for a portait this kind of isolation of the subject really makes it pop. I think the grass definately adds to the interest.

Very nice, love the pose and sweet look on his face. Great blue BG. Good job

I can see how naure photographers would like this (subject, composition, smooth background, etc). At the same time I can see how people less invovled with nature would be less impressed (not a lot of action, no context (background scenery to show where they live, etc)). I think non-nature people are also more impressed with the "hunters" rather than the "hunted". You didn't say but were the non-nature photographers also not nature people in general?

Steve,
I agree with you about the grass in his mouth. This is a great shot. Very nice.
Thanks

Brings back memories of a great trip Steve. This is a cool shot!

This is a gorgeous portrait. Beautiful light, beautiful detail, nice composition and that rich blue sky makes it pop as others have said. I also like the grass for the character it adds.
In addition to what others have said about non-nature people's reactions, it is probably that the subject isn't something they can relate to- not cute/cuddly, colorful, a subject of a fairy tale (wolf / Bambi), or fiersome. I've talked some to a couple (Richard and Jill Jackson) who sell wildlife prints at art and craft fairs about this, there are subjects that they'd love to shoot as photographers, but which won't sell worth a darn, so from a livelihood standpoint they have to pick saleable subjects. Glad I don't have to do that!
Anyway I absolutely love this image!

This is a great image of a mature Bighorn Ram. The grass in the mouth is a nice touch! Also beautiful shot of the horns, If you count the rings on the horn this is a 7 1/2 year old Ram. Most rams reach their matury at 8-10 years of age. I love showing images such as this in slide shows, because you can educate many folks from a image such as this.

I like it very much, but I realize this is partly because I have been there, shared space with the creatures and looking at this image does more than just trigger an esthetic response, it triggers pleasant memories. But for someone who has not had that experience, perhaps it just looks like something they saw in a zoo? Nothing in the image gives me a sense of place, and the placidity in the ram's expression doesn't spark that feeling of wildness you get if you shoot the same species with a wider lens.

Hey Steve, this is a killer portrait, and I would love to have it in my portfolio, but perhaps it is a bit too static for the non-nature enthusiast.

Best,

Chas

Steve,

I love this. The earth tones of the Bighorn in contrast with the blue sky really makes it pop! If you wonder why the non-nature enthusiast might not be overly impressed by this imagine show a bunch of images of birds around :roll:

Thanks all! I understand a bit better now.
I guess I've never really been able to see it from a non nature-lover point of view. Gues it just isn't cuddly or cute enough.
I'll still keep it

Steve

Steve,

Simple, clean and well done. Nothing not to like.

Steve,

This is incredible! The color is wonderful, and the crystal clear blue background complements the golden tones beautifully. I think you are just showing it to ignorant people, because this is absolutely marvelous!

Very nice. The position of the head seems perfect and stands out very well against that great blue sky

Great portrait of a bighorn. I love it and wish I had something this nice in my portfolio.

I've never been there and thus have no emotional attachment to the image or setting - but this is great. As Chas stated, it's static, typical for a portrait, and the pose, texture and colors make this one of the nicest bighorn portraits I've seen.

Rich

Steve, this is a killer technical portrait. The grass adds tremendously to the image. But, I think nature photographers spend so much time trying to get the technical stuff down, we tend to forget the big picture of trying to make a story that may appeal to a broader audience. I love the image but I also understand the issues required to make such an image. I don't think most of our non-photographer viewers instinctively understand what it takes to make such an image and therefore have little connection to the challenges.

Cheers

Steve,
Your wonderful photo makes me sick! For many years, I have wanted a close-up of one of these magnificient animals. You nailed this one. The catchlight in the eye as well as the grass in its mouth makes this photo, in my opinion. Well done. You can forget photographing bighorns in the future. You will not top this one.
Bill