Attempt at wildlife photography C&C welcome

cesal · Dec 13, 2012

I was driving home and spotted these guys. It was pretty dark and snowing and I did my best. What do you think? What could I have done better.

1)

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SCraig · Dec 13, 2012

When shooting wildlife you've got to make the wildlife the center of interest in the photograph. It's difficult because, unlike people, they aren't going to do what you tell them nor are they going to stand still while you get into a good position. To the contrary if they get a good look at you they are going to run like hell. Thab buck sees you and he's trying to decide whether you are a threat or not. The turkeys have already decided.

When you see a deer like that, do what you did. Take a shot. Then you've got that one in the can and can concentrate on getting some better. Let him watch you a minute and odds are he will decide you aren't a threat and start to graze a bit. When he does creep a little bit closer and when he snaps his head up again freeze where you are and very carefully try and get another shot without spooking him. Keep repeating that until he finally decides enough is enough and heads off for good.

You either have to be very patient, use a long lens, or find a place where the animals are rather tame.

The first one is a good shot. It was shot at too slow a shutter speed (1/25 second) but you had no light (ISO 3200 at f/9) to work with.

Light Guru · Dec 13, 2012

They are both out of focus.

cesal · Dec 13, 2012

Yeah they are oof. In the view finder the deer looked sharp. Thank your for the feed back.

cesal · Dec 13, 2012

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This is another shot of the same deer. Looks a bit better.

laynea24 · Dec 13, 2012

I know this is not what you were asking, but I actually think that second shot would look really good without the whatevertheyares in the foreground. I think it would make a really interesting shot.