Discovery
Captured this image on a back road near my cabin last summer. Photographed from my truck down a mowed path.
Captured this image on a back road near my cabin last summer. Photographed from my truck down a mowed path.
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Dec, 2018Views
1958
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Awards
Top Shot Award
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 40
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured while driving through the Odessa New York area which is just outside Watkins Glen. I own a cabin in this area. The deer was located down a long, well kept grassy driveway in a gorgeous country setting.Time
I decided to take a late afternoon drive to photograph landscapes and barns. I came upon this beautiful whitetail deer around 4 or 5 o'clock pmLighting
I was a very clear day, with late afternoon sunlight. Lighting was not overly harsh, but their was enough to capture the textures on this whitetail's coat.Equipment
I used my Nikon D700 with a Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm lens. This was hand held while sitting in my truck with the window down. I did not have much time to think about anything other than to capture the shot. Thankfully my wife was with me and I was able to have her mount the lens I needed while backing up my truck.Inspiration
While driving and looking for photo opportunities this beautiful animal caught my eye grazing in a grassy area down a driveway. I immediately stopped, but had to back up because it was wooded on both sides of the driveway. Thankfully my wife was with me and I told her to grab my 80-400mm lens while backing up. When I stopped the truck I was fortunate this doe did not see me immediately. I had just enough time to open the window and position my camera when she discovered I was there. I was able to take two photos before she leaped into the woods. My hope was more deer would emerge behind her, but she was traveling alone.Editing
I use several editing tools. I always import my RAW files to Lightroom and make a few adjustments. After that I am in Topaz Studio where I spend the most time post-processing. I end up with some finishing touches in Photoshop. With this particular image I use an impression in Topaz Studio software. I use the artist Edward Hopper impression to create a painterly look. I applied the impression then reduced the effect somewhat. This left to much of the impression on the subject, so I used the masking available within the impression to reduce the impression on the deer. When finished this gave the surrounding plant life a soft less distracting look while allowing the subject to appear more majestic. I did use a heavier then normal vignette which made it even more powerful.In my camera bag
I shoot with a Nikon D850 and just sent in my Nikon D700 to have the sensor converted to IR (infared) . I have a large selection of Nikon ED, AF and AF-S lenses as well as adapters to use older Canon FD mount manual focus lenses. I use a Sony A7R mirrorless as well. I only use vintage c mount lenses with my Sony. My favorite c mount brands are Kinoptik, Angeniuex, Cooke, Wollensak and Birns & Sawyer Hollywood lenses. These lenses were designed for 16mm cine cameras. I use these lenses for the amazing creamy bokeh they create.Feedback
Driving around when the light is right can present many differnt opportunities and subject matter. I have sat in the woods for hours just to see nothing and come out with no images. I beleive sitting can be successful if you have done scouting in the right areas and are situated long before the time certain wildlife become active. I almost did not process this image. I thought a buck with a large rack would be of more interest to the viewer. I photographed this in August of 2018, did a little post processing and decided it was not worth my time. In December 2018 I returned to it and processed it differently. I would suggest it is very important for a photographer to return to previous image files for another look or just walk away from an image for days, weeks or even months. When you return you may find new excitement and inspiration in a capture you decide was not interesting.
