SOL

So today I came into the computer lab on two separate occasions to edit  some pictures and post a blog. Both times there was someone sitting at the computer I have all of my pictures uploaded to. So, instead of editing a photo and uploading it, this week I will be posting a couple pictures of some dope looking ducks (surprise). The first duck is a Baikal Teal. The Baikal Teal are mainly found in China, Japan, and parts of Korea. They are some of the coolest ducks out there. The next photo is a Mandarin Wood duck. The Mandarin also calls Asia home, but has recently been spotted in parts of Northern California.  They are some of the coolest looking ducks there are in my opinion.

Share 2 and Critique Deer

Deer Butt

ISO 560

f 16 

1/125

B&W

ISO 800

f 5.6

1/80

Common Merganser

Common Merganser shot on the Stillwater River on a cloudy day. Went fishing up to the Stillwater and while waiting for some trout to rise, I was able to capture some shots of this Merganser. I went into Lightroom and did some minor adjustment. I mainly stuck to the basic preset but I adjust the luminance and saturation of a few colors including orange, green, and yellow. I adjusted the orange so the head and bill would really pop. I  also adjusted the yellow of the moss to add some more color to the extremely gray background. 

ISO 320

f 7.1

1/250 sec
3:1

Updated Duck

This weeks blog is an update to my critique. I adjusted the crop of the picture to pull the leaf out of the corner so it wasn't exiting the frame in the corner. I also decreased the vibrancy on the color green to soften the leaf and pull focus onto the duck. I also attempted to brighten the eye to draw focus onto that. 

Before

After

Northern Lights

Here is my attempt at photographing the Northern Lights. It was extremely difficult to do especially when we didn't get out there until it was already dark. We struggled getting the windmill in focus too because we arrived so late but overall the picture turned out pretty okay so long as you keep it small. There is a ton of noise that was really difficult to eliminate. It was an extremely challenging experience just getting out there and attempting to get some good shots of something you cant see.

ISO: 3200

F: 3.5

30.0 sec.

Two Photo Critique

 ISO: 1400

F: 5.6

1/200 sec

ISO: 900

F: 9.0

1/60 sec

7 Tips for Photographing Deer and Elk

So, I stumbled upon a pretty interesting article that gave a few tips on how to photograph deer and elk. I thought it was extremely informative and gave a unique perspective.

Tips

1. Focus on the eye
We instinctively look others in the eye. The same goes for photographs. When the eye is out of focus it can be unsettling.
2. Give backlighting a try
Use backlighting to highlight those photo-enhancing furry edges of deer and elk. The nice rim light created works especially well on antlers still covered in velvet.
3.Photograph deer and elk in fall
White-tailed, Mule Deer, and elk have fresh coats and are in prime condition in the autumn. As they gear up for the rut (see #6) males haven’t yet been run down, their antlers aren’t broken, and the extra testosterone coursing through their bodies has thickened their necks impressively.
4. Focus on deer and elk behavior
While portraits can make amazing photographs, some of the most emotionally compelling wildlife photographs capture behavior and animal interaction. Creating these images means slowing down and spending time observing the animals. But patience usually pays off—eventually!
5. Work on the edges of the light
That dramatic light that comes at the beginning and ending of each day coincides nicely with the times these animals tend to be most active.
6. The rut is prime time!
For elk, the rut usually begins in September and ends in October. For deer, the rut usually runs from November through early-January. Exact dates vary depending upon location, so be sure to do some research before you head out to a specific area. Dueling males certainly make for exciting action shots, but keep your distance!
7. Stay aware during hunting season
If you head to national forests to photograph you could find yourself frequenting the same areas as hunters, since prime photography season coincides with hunting season. If you do, wear blaze orange—a color humans can easily see but deer and elk can’t.

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