Young Buck and Doe

[SARtech]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and my photos, for now, are shot with only a Olympus Stylus 840 so... please be kind! I am frustrated and excited at the same time. Frustrated, that when I take what I consider to be a great shot, it looks like crap compared to all of yours. Excited, because I am presently hunting for the best price on a Canon Rebel XSi (12.2 mp) and a 70-300mm IS USM lens. From looking at the excellence of all of your pics and my ability at my part time job to be near deer and eagles on Sundays, I CAN'T wait to get that quality in my photos!! I need to get this rig soon before my eagles go back up north.
Anyway... Here is my best deer shot. Just keep in mind it's only a point and shooter.
:wink5:

[SARtech]

Another taken today here in Illinois. We have a pair of nesting Bald Eagles on our property at work.
Have at it!

[SARtech]

George again. He is checking me out...hehee

I love this shot. Just wish I had had a better camera.

[Ron Kruger]

Welcome to the forum, SAR. These aren't bad, but could be made better with a little post-production work. I look foward to seeing what you do with that Canon.
Where are you in Illinois, and what is it you do on Sundays?

[Grandpaw]

I really like the deer photo but think if you darkened it up just a little that you would really have something there. Then all you would need is a nice frame and matt combo, Jeff

[SARtech]

Is this better Jeff?

Ron... I work 2 jobs. My 2nd part-time job is security at a barge terminal on a river. No business on Sundays but because they deal in chemicals it is required that someone is on the grounds 24 hours a day. So, here's little 'ol me with all this wildlife and nothing to do but relax and watch nature for 8 hours at 10 bucks an hour. It was very cold today though, especially out on the barge dock that sticks out into the river. Pretty close to 0 degrees out. brrrrrr George didn't seem to mind it though.

[Grandpaw]

Is this better Jeff?


.

I put them side by side on the same screen and to be honest I can't see a difference, Jeff

[luke802]

Welcome to the forum, SAR. These aren't bad, but could be made better with a little post-production work.

I agree with Ron, but not so much the other poster who thought it should be darker. I like Vibrant shots, and fierce colours. Here are some quick sample adjustments that I made in Apple's apperture in a couple mintues, the last one is yours. The top one is my favourite, and in the middle the deer is exactly the same but the greens are softened to help bring out the deer a bit. Tell me what you think of these edits? I only just got Apperture today, so if that's any clue of easy it is to use, then so be it.

In terms of the Canon rebel, I personally didn't like it. I opted for a Nikon D40 after a couple sessions with each, preferred the Nikon Viewfinder and the settings seemed more natural (to me). Also I found the Rebel gave me very washed out colours compared to My Nikon which I hardly have to do post prod work apart from cropping or monochroming when I am finished - or in some instances, reducing the vibrancy. I always get compliments about what "Natural tones" I get when taking portraits as well. Regardless of what camera you get, if you can get an external flash - get one! I think it's the greatest tool in my arsenal for the kind of shots I do - spontaneous, in the moment, often indoors where lighting can be unpredictable.

[SARtech]

Thanks, but if I could find a perfect medium for my taste it would be this one. Your's is a bit too greenish for me and his girlfriend is gradually disappearing in our quest for the perfect exposure. It just doesn't look how it actually was at the time of day and the actual light that was there. Problem is, everybodies tastes are different, not to mention monitor differences, so how the heck can we all agree? DOH! We could be here a long time. hahahaa.

[jetrim]

I really like the composition of the deer shot and the darker edit works well. The second Eagle shot is indeed a very good one, but it seems slightly over sharpened. First Eagle has a very good pose and pleasing comp. but you really needed a longer lens to do it justice, the SLR will help with that.

Welcome to the forum, and I look forward to seeing more of your work :thumbsup:

[SARtech]

Thanks for your input. Sometimes I do try to create sharpness where there is none and get carried away...lol.
Yes... I cropped the heck out of the first one. He was much farther away in that shot. grrrr... I so need a big fat lens. I'm thinking of buying a refurbished Canon XSi body possibly tomorrow. The price is good, I'm just hesitating because it is refurbished. Would love to have a set-up before next Sunday though. If not I'll just drag the old A-1 out and give it a shot.
Thanks again!

[SARtech]

How about this one? Maybe its my old eyes, but it looks too dark to me. You can mess with it if you like.

Kristine

[Grandpaw]

I agree but I think I have one in between. Look and see what you think, Jeff

[luke802]

I personally think thi is Markedly better than the first one we looked at. The other thing I did with mine was warm it up a little bit. found it looked a little..... well.. cold! haha.

But yes, everyone's taste is different. Isn't that the true beauty? It's beautiful if you want it to be!

[Grandpaw]

It is a very nice shot no matter which version you prefer, Jeff

[Shebang]

I agree with Jeff! Love the storybook quality.