DSC_9464x
Jul, 2018Views
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Awards
Chatter Award
Top Shot Award 21
Winner in Cows, nothing but cows! Photo Challenge
Absolute Masterpiece
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Superb Composition
Peer Award
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
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Top 10 rank week 1
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this picture in a pasture near my home. I live 9 miles outside of a small town in West Virginia in a 20 year old community of 200+ single family homes built in what was a dairy farm. Our community is surrounded by grazing and mooing cows, so when I decided to feature cows in a shoot, it was relatively easy.Time
I took this shot in the early afternoon, soon after the farmer turned this herd into a field that bordered the main road into town.Lighting
The lighting of this shot was totally natural but, luckily it was a clear and sunny day. The distance between me and my subjects excluded effective use of artificial light.Equipment
I was using a Nikon D3100 with a Top-Max Super Telephoto 420-800mm extremely long focal length, wide f/8.3-16 aperture setting and high resolution high definition zoom lens mounted on a JC Penney Model 624-4423 tripod. My standard equipment for wildlife, or farm animal photography.Inspiration
I was inspired by viewing the Viewbug community, which always inspires me to focus on subjects that I might otherwise overlook. Cows are a natural part of rural settings, as are barns, fence lines, farming equipment and crops in the fields. I noticed a challenge for cow pictures and that got my focus on them and other "usual" subjects.Editing
I do minor post editing using PhotoScape X, adjusting color, contrast and sharpness. I use the free to download post production software including GIMP.In my camera bag
I was retired when I began photography, so my equipment budget has been extremely small. Therefore, my "bag" will have many beginner and/or older pieces. I have the afore mentioned Nikon D3100, which is usually attached to the telephoto lens for long-distance shooting. I also have a Nikon D3200 with a Nikkor 55-200mm F/4-5.6G and the standard "kit" Nikkor 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G lens and a Nikon D5100 with stock lens that I use for most "other" shooting. I also have the following cameras I use as "bridge" cameras: a Canon SX40 HS with 4.3-150mm F/2.7-5.8 lens and a Minolta MN35z, which I am currently using quite a lot. I like the bridge cameras because they reach far, focus quickly and are lighter and easier to handle than the Nikons sometimes. I then carry the usual required assortment of spare batteries and chargers, lens covers, a tripod and a couple monopods and a Nikon SB-10 Speedlight, although I seldom shoot indoors.Feedback
I started using longer focal lengths to bring the subjects much closer and reveal details that can only be captured by either being close to the subject or bringing it close with lens reach. I was not able to climb the fence to get closer to the subject and the farmer drove up as I was shooting asking if I was a rustler! The telephoto lens requires a solid base and a fast enough shutter speed to get a sharp photo, hence the tripod versus hand held. The telephoto lens' fully manual zoom also caused problems with my other cameras, but works great in the D3100. Just got to try out different attachments on different cameras and see what works best.
