Kodak Moment
Last Chance Elk
Posted by B. Thomas (Arlington, Texas, United States) on 4 May 2009 in Animal & Insect.
Elk are also called wapiti, a Native American word that means "light-colored deer." Elk are related to deer but are much larger than most of their relatives. A bull (male) elk's antlers may reach 4 feet above its head, so that the animal towers 9 feet tall.
After spending an hour or so photographing an elk herd it got too dark to shoot. Just as I was putting my camera away, one bull elk walked away from the group and up on a little ridge. I felt lucky to get this hand held silhouette of him against the rapidly darkening sky.
Bill from Bay Area Northern California, United States
I don't know the sony well, but think you could have used a higher ISO than 200? and likely a less long exposure would have been more crisp for the foreground vegetation: I probably would have bracketed this if you had the time. It's a great photo compositionally, and great patience to wait for it.
4 May 2009 5:28am
@Bill: I'd like to take credit for patience and waiting, but he was moving, paused for a look then moved away over the ridge. I didn't have the presence of mind to change setting or think about what I should do.
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
Wonderful frame on this one and the clouds and sky are perfect!!
4 May 2009 5:54am
@Scott Schilling: I later wished for a moon, but at least there were some wispy clouds. Thanks.
Hidalgo from Herunen, Finland
Very succeeded photo. Those black and blue colors fits so good togeter in Your photo than nose to head.
4 May 2009 8:26am
@Hidalgo: Thanks.
@Mathilde Collot: Thank you so much.
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Fantastic!!!! Bravo!!! You got the shot!!! Nice one:-)
4 May 2009 9:14am
@Linerberry: Thank you for the nice comments!
@Marie LC: Thanks for looking.
Anita from West Nottingham, United States
Excellent image. Beautiful colors and great composition.
4 May 2009 9:56am
@Anita: Thanks for the comments.
@Kathe: Thank you!!
@Vachel: Thanks.
@Eleftheria: Thank you.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
Hand held in this light? You must be made of rock. This is wonderful.
4 May 2009 12:41pm
@Viewfinder: I probably should not admit it on this photoblog, but I am very lazy about using a tripod. My favorite subjects are animals and they usually don't hang around and pose. Most of the time it's a quick shot or no shot. By the time I get one set up like I want it, it's too late. Glad you like it. Thanks.
@isidro: Gracias!
@Veronica: Thank you.
@Moridi: YVW. Glad you like it.
@Onlymehdi: Thank you.
@JanW: Thanks for the comment.
@lux: I agree about the animal, and thanks about the photo.
Lee from Fort Frances Ontario, Canada
A one chance shot, and you captures itbeautifully. Bravo. Trust me I know how tricky it is to shoot in lowlight conditions, using a strong lens, and no tripod.
5 May 2009 12:06am
@Lee: I'm sure you do, as I doubt you were using a tripod when you caught the bobcat shot from yesterday. ;-)
@Acosta Redon: Thanks for the comment.
willow from Chelsea, United States
This is breathtaking - such a proud stance he has taken and your capture of the moment is perfect.
5 May 2009 2:03am
@willow: Thanks for the nice comment!
StarCosmosBleu from Bedford.Qc, Canada
I find this to be a very lovely shot...late or night shots are an art..not easy at all, so to have done this on the spot its superb...and you captured that magical feel to it...great silhouette and composition
5 May 2009 5:23am
@StarCosmosBleu: Thanks for the comments and encouragement.
shoti from Everywhere in the, Philippines
amazing shot, I love it as it is. the color of dusk is so beautiful, silhouette is perfect :)
5 May 2009 2:39pm
@shoti: Thanks for your kind comment!
@Michael: Thank you.
