Bighorn Ram in Grassy Woods

Posted by Juli Wilcox on Sun Oct 19, 2003 1:02 am

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This was a rare opportunity for me to photograph a Bighorn ram but we had several of them in the Black Hills a couple weeks ago. It was great to see NSNers Chas, Joe and Joy Motto and Chris Gamel there (and all the other photographers!) This one was made in the shade with a 500 mm f/4 lens at 1/40 sec., 7.1 aperture, minus 2/3, ISO 200. The image was then lightened in PS and two of the lighter grass pieces darkened slightly. I'd like to have gotten a more dynamic photo but the animal at rest seemed like a good starting place for me. Any comments appreciated. Thanks!

[b]Juli Wilcox[/b]
[b]Former Editor in Chief, NSN[/b]

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by T Williams on Sun Oct 19, 2003 8:30 am

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Nice one, Juli! I like the profile view, and I think you cut his body off in the right place. Very good.

Tom
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by Dennis Olivero on Sun Oct 19, 2003 9:27 am

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Well done Juli, Nice up close head shot.. Good technique, very sharp for 1/40s... Congrats..

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by Bob Ettinger on Sun Oct 19, 2003 10:16 am

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Juli,

Nice one and the crop is perfect.

Bob Ettinger

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by Tim Grams on Sun Oct 19, 2003 11:06 am

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Nicely done. The exposure is great considering all of the contrast.

I've found that most of my sheep (Dall's) shots look pretty static also. But rams sure do a good job of looking majestic!

Tim
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by Harvey Edelman on Sun Oct 19, 2003 1:35 pm

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As close to flawless as they come! Congrats!

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by Karen S on Sun Oct 19, 2003 1:35 pm

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Sweet head shot Juli....perfect exposure and I like the environment that you included.

[b]Karen B. Schindeldecker[/b]
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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Oct 19, 2003 4:59 pm

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A very nice shot of this powerful creature. I think I'd desaturate the Magenta channel a bit.

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by NDCheryl on Sun Oct 19, 2003 7:47 pm

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Very nice head shot.

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by DC on Mon Oct 20, 2003 4:16 am

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Great shot Juli. A fine specimen indeed. Agree with EJ on the colour cast.

Dave
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by Carol Clarke on Mon Oct 20, 2003 4:50 am

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What superb heads these Rams have, great shot Juli!

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by Bill Keown on Mon Oct 20, 2003 7:12 am

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Very nice portrait.

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by Chas on Mon Oct 20, 2003 8:44 am

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Juli, this is a superb statuesque portrait of a bighorn ram. I agree with EJ, as to the color appearing a bit off.

Hope we meet again soon,

Chas

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by Rich S on Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:57 am

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Perhaps static but stately as well. Bit of curl of lip is nice as well, and just enough environment. (Concur with E.J. on the magenta.)

Rich

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by chew on Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:06 pm

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Nice poser. Is that sunshine just barely on his lower lip? Are those more animals in the background?

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by Juli Wilcox on Thu Oct 23, 2003 7:04 am

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Thanks for the comments. Chew, the ram was in a group of 7, however, I think the objects in the BG are rocks, stumps and logs. The animal was brightly side-lit and in partial shade so with that kind of contrast, I exposed for the shadows and then "brought the face up" in PS. What is the purpose of those black patches by the eyes on these rams? They look like big flat callouses.