Cottontail
Aug, 2014Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Small Wildlife Photo Contest
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Contest Finalist in Evocative Wildlife Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Unconventional Perspectives Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken along a boardwalk at a scenic view point in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.Time
The photo was made during the late afternoon, around 5:30 pm.Lighting
Due to overcast skies, the lighting was very flat. Although this isn't generally considered the best lighting for photography, I actually like it, especially for black and white. I find the narrowed luminance range to be easier to work with as I try to develop an image with a full tonal range while avoiding blown-out highlights and inky shadows.Equipment
The photograph was taken handheld with a Nikon 80mm f/1.8G lens mounted on a Nikon D800e camera.Inspiration
Walking along a boardwalk, I noticed a baby cottontail rabbit just below me. It hadn't yet developed the good sense to avoid people, which permitted me to get very close to it and directly above it from my vantage point on the boardwalk. Its head and ears essentially filled the frame, giving a different, and I thought, interesting perspective on the rabbit.Editing
The image was converted to black and white in PhotoShop, with fairly standard curves adjustments to the tonal range and contrast.In my camera bag
My Nikon D800e is my serious camera, and I carry it whenever photography is the main purpose of my travels. I generally have a Nikon 14-24mm lens attached. However, when weight is an issue, I tend to carry a Canon EOS-M mirror less camera or a Sony NEX 6 mirror less camera.Feedback
The unusual perspective presented to me for this photo is difficult to preplan. Perhaps the best approach is to simply be on the lookout for opportunities for photographs from unconventional perspectives. These kinds of photos are often interesting and eye-catching, and the opportunities to take them probably present themselves more often than most of us are aware.
