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dawalt2002 · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Been away for a bit. Hoping to get a critique on the deer image.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

dawalt2002 · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Here are 2 more crops

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:34 pm

Composition, OOF and that shadow cutting through it is very distracting.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2730 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

Focus is close, but not quite there. Could pass if you reduce the photo, assuming you have enough megapixels.

Also, the interest of the image is centered and your negative space is awkward. A better composition would be something like I've attached. It puts the face at a third intersect for the conventional rule of thirds composition, maintains your negative space for copy while getting rid of that shadow line on the deer's body.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

It looks soft like your lens was fogged OR like you were using a teleconverter OR a very cheap telephoto.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:29 am

Why did you cut the legs off??

dawalt2002 · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely see what you are speaking about on composition.

I believe the OOF issue may be caused by user error and the fact that I used a low f stop (5.6 if I remember correctly). Will try to get more in the sweet spot for the lens.

As far as cutting the legs off, was trying to get a closer image of the head. Just bad composition now that I look at it.

A somewhat related question is how well do images of wildlife / animals sell since I'm assuming they aren't as commercially viable as people?

Thanks again for the honest feedback.

Dave

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2730 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

They do good if they stand out. Had an EL on one yesterday. I don't shoot them very often, but the ones that are a bit different and uniquely composed or show action seem to compete. The shots that show just an animal like your typical zoo shot (and I'm guilty of shooting plenty of those) don't do very well.

At least that's my opinion.

I think you had the shot if it had been in focus and composed something like I did. There's no shame in cropping after the fact. I always shoot a little loose anyway.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:14 pm

F5.6 and F8 ARE the sweet spots on any lens for DSLR shooting. Ya just missed it. Keep at it. search for your subject by most popular and see whats here.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2730 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

Yeah, but, on some lenses, 5.6 is actually wide open and not the sharpest. My telephoto, the Nikon 70-300 af-s vr, 5.6 can be iffy. 6.3-8 work best. Also can't shoot it at 300 either. Need to bring it back to 280ish.

Serious wildlife photographers wouldn't use that lens, although it's decent in good light and when you understand its limitations.

I saw from the exif, you used a D90 with a 300 mm lens. Which lens did you use?

dawalt2002 · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Thanks again for the feedback. I've taken enough of the "zoo" type shots too. Have got a couple of the "unique" shots but they are too noisy for stock. By the way, the shots of the border collie are great. Also, what is an "EL"?

I do agree that 5.6-8 are the sweet spots for most good quality glass. I got "schooled" here before about hyperfocal lengths. Just have to remember my lessons. Unfortunately, the lens that I was using is an older Nikon 70-300mm ED, non VR. It does great in bright light, but the light where I shot was a little shaded. My fault on the settings since I should have dropped the shutter a bit and increased the f stop. 5.6 is wide open since this lens doesn't have a fixed aperture setting.

Again, really appreciate the honest feedback and suggestions.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2730 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

Extended license. Buyer pays $100; you get $28. Used for large print runs.

jeffbanke · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:37 pm

Hopefully you were using a tripod, no way can you handhold a 300mm non VR and get a sharp image.

I use a 70-200mm F2.8 VR for many of my hand held shots on wildlife, and a 300mm on a tripod always for other wildlife images.

This one sold today for $28 and it is not even close to being one of my best :-)

dawalt2002 · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Thanks. Unfortunately, the answer is no. I was using a monopod but will be using a tripod with a shutter release going forward.

Again thanks to all who responded.