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I Need A Nap
I Need A Nap
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Apr, 2023Views
796
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Awards
Summer Views Award
Contender in the Visual Poetry Project
Flawless Summer Award
Picture Perfect Award
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the Hunewill pasture in Bridgeport CA. I was just driving into town from our favorite camping area on Robinson Creek. The pastures here are each a section, 1 sq. mile of fenced pasture land. In the spring and early summer they are green and lush for grazing cattle. They remain that way usually till mid August. I like to stop and watch the cows, their behaviors are a lot different and more interesting than a lot of people think. This was one such time.Time
This photo was taken around 7:30 am a mile or so from the Hunewill Guest Ranch entrance. The cows were gathered in a corner of the pasture being curious, they gladly let me take as many photos as I wanted.Lighting
The buff color of this cows hide help establish a balance between light and dark, highlights and shadows for this photo. There were both black and black/white cows at the same location but the contrast was too high to get good photos of them without a lot of post processing. I don't mind a little of that and sometimes really enjoy it but when I'm shooting just for fun, I'd rather capture images good right out of the box so to speak.Equipment
This was shot with a Canon EOS 70D with a Sigma lens. I think, but can't be certain as I write this, it was an 18-35mm lens. No tripod, just hand held shot.Inspiration
I love the cows, they are among the most peaceful critters on the planet. They are curious just like I am so they like to come up close to see what I'm up to. I try to be one of the herd so as not to spook them. Slow careful movements don't alarm them so sometimes I just sit and watch. With most wildlife and even domestic animals like this cow, if I relax and don't cause alarm, soon you can watch them relax and settle into their routine. That's when I get my best photos.Editing
Because the light was good with subtle contrast and a nice balance between highlights and shadows there was almost no post processing, if any, used on this image. I shoot manual and bracket if I have time.In my camera bag
Two lenses, both Sigma, a 18-35mm and a 75-300mm tele, three neutral density filters 2,3 & 4. An adjustable polarizing filter, a UV filter to protect my lens, lens tissues, lens caps and that's about it with my Canon EOS 70D. I don't like to carry a ton of stuff around for most of my photography. I find it distracting. I'm glad other people enjoy some of my photos but really, if I'm being completely honest, I do it for me so I want it easy. I'll never probably reach that pinnacle level of photography some photographers do with their Prime lenses and sturdy tripods but that's OK, I enjoy what I do and the results aren't all that bad.Feedback
If you're photographing live animals and birds, which I prefer, time is critical. Patience is even more critical. I watch everything, the smallest movements, the position of each part of an animal to provide the most interesting image.
