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Archive 2016 · Pigeon River Country

  
 
Photo Scout
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Pigeon River Country


My disclaimer for this post is that I do not think I am sharing photos on the level of excellence that is standard on this board, but as I am still learning photography, I thought sharing some of my latest shots would perhaps be motivating to myself, and give others an easy opportunity to suggest improvements

The Pigeon River Country State Forest is one of the most wilderness-like areas in the lower peninsula of Michigan, and is also home to Michigan's only free-ranging elk herd. The elk in Michigan are not very easily visible, so unfortunately I didn't get shots of the elk like those I drool over that other people are coming back with from Rocky Mtn Nat. Park, but I am including a photo of the animals to prove that the elk didn't evade the camera entirely. Mainly I'm just throwing up some photos that I took on the trip for the sake of sharing and hopefully getting some helpful suggestions about how to improve the photography.

1


http://nickephotography.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-9057_orig.jpg

2


http://nickephotography.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-8904_orig.jpg

3

http://nickephotography.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-8922_orig.jpg


4

https://52662617-958038754445319588.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-8802_orig.jpg

5


And the elk, just to prove we weren't on a wild goose chase

https://52662617-958038754445319588.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-8892_orig.jpg

All images shot with the D7100 and Nikon 55 - 300 mm f4.5 - 5.6 lens. Now that Tamron has released a gen 2 of the populat 150 - 600 lens I'm hoping models of the original version will be hanging a little lower on the tree soon

As I mentioned, comments and critique would be appreciated!



Sep 19, 2016 at 10:31 PM
Shasoc
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Pigeon River Country


Nick, here are a few suggestions that hopefully will improve your photos. First of all you need to assign the sRGB profile to your images when you post them on the web, otherwise colors will look very different on people's monitors.
One "trick" to show some dynamism in your action shots is to leave more space in the direction the subject is looking or moving. Your subjects are more or less centered and that makes the shots static.
Avoid including man made objects in your wildlife shots (see #2).
Another thing to avoid is the so called "but shots" (as in you last shot)
Pay attention the the subject eye. That is the first area where the viewer will look at. In your first shot the eye is in the shade, so a bit of dodging will give more life to the eye.
You did a very good job on the first IF shot. The subject is well in focus and sharp. Watch the WB though. The sky is too green (and shows some dust on your sensor)

Keep shooting an keep posting! the best way to take better photo is to take photos
Socrate



Sep 19, 2016 at 11:07 PM
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Pigeon River Country


Hi Shasoc, thanks for the suggestions. I extended the frame to the right on the hawk picture and made other improvements you suggested. The deer liked to hang out in the oil well clearings so the industrial equipment was getting in the way. In my experience elk generally prefer to have their pictures taken from the rear. I agree it isn't preferable though, maybe erring on the side of objectionable, sometimes...

http://nickephotography.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-9057_2_orig.jpg



Sep 20, 2016 at 10:22 AM
Shasoc
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Pigeon River Country


Photo Scout wrote:
Hi Shasoc, thanks for the suggestions. I extended the frame to the right on the hawk picture and made other improvements you suggested. The deer liked to hang out in the oil well clearings so the industrial equipment was getting in the way. In my experience elk generally prefer to have their pictures taken from the rear. I agree it isn't preferable though, maybe erring on the side of objectionable, sometimes...

http://nickephotography.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/6/6/52662617/nkn-9057_2_orig.jpg




That is better. I would get rid of the dead limbs. They don't add anything to the image. Au contrair!
The sky is still green. The best way to evaluate the color of the sky is by using the LAB color space.
You also need to clean your camera sensor
Hope you don't mind, but a visual representation can make it easier.
Socrate







Sep 20, 2016 at 10:40 AM
reko
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Pigeon River Country


Socrate gave you good advice and suggestions. When you can get the critters and birds either broadside or angling toward you it's best, angling away shots are akin to butt shots. If there are multiple animals wait look for at least one, preferably several of them to be in favorable positions when you take the shots. Sometimes you can single out the one with a good body position. With practice there will be times you can anticipate their movements, especially with animals habituated to people, and position yourself in an opening to get an unobstructed favorably angled shot shot. Oftentimes the best shot opportunities last but a fraction of a second so have your camera up and at the ready, watching closely and prepared for that instant when it presents itself. You've come to the right place for suggestions on how to improve, I'm sure you'll get more good suggestions.


Sep 20, 2016 at 02:31 PM
morris
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Pigeon River Country


The first is as good as most of what we see here Nick.

Morris



Sep 20, 2016 at 05:41 PM





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