Little me and the big BIG tree

Dedicated wild life photographers need lots of patience , you must have it in abundance ! Superb shot , as already said this demands the large view to see it in all it's glory ! Very well done . Bill

Marvellous shot !  The level of detail is just stunning.  The coat on the fawn looks so soft, as if you could reach out and touch.  The interesting tree and the very apt title.  The colour of the bracken, so different.  Enjoyed viewing large.

Warm regards

Jim

Humble Aplogies to all for my late response!

MIKE

I wouldn't dream of tying his feet down, not when theres perfectly good glue that will do the job : - )

Many Thanks Mike.........this was one of those "last shot before home"  Glad you liked it.

Best Regards

Alf

KALLOL

Sincere thanks for your enthusiatic feedback, very much appreciated. Fpr some reason it reminds me of a nursery type story (hence the title)

Best Regards

Alf

LESTER

I like your analogy, of young and old, and of course there is the big and small, hard and soft kind of contrasts too. Sincere thanks for your positive feedback and observations Lester.

Best Regards

Alf

SARAH

Glad you like it Sarah and Yeah! it is something I'd like to print, I have to process another similar image and I will have the two I want for my kitchen.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

HOLGER

Good Morning and Many thanks for your interest and thoughtful observations, very much appreciated! I know just what you mean about the deer looking back into the image, it occurred to me that it wouln't have looked quite so effective if he was looking straight ahead.

Cheers Holger and take good care!

Alf

JACQUELINE

Sincere thanks for your interest and thoughtful observations, very much appreciated! Yes 5 years wait for a decent foggy day.......probaby get nothing but foggy days for the next 5 years : - )

I do intend getting this one printed along with maybe one or two other from the same session, that will adorn my kitchen wall. I'm really pleased you liked it Jacqueline!

Best Regards

Alf

NEIL

It was quite an experience photographing these deer, some were very elusive,, whilst others apeared relatively unafraid. I think there was an element of trust after being in thier presence for a while and not making any sudden movements or loud noises, they even come to within a few feet at one stage and I have some really detailed vivid shots. But they were so close at that stage, the "forest mood" you described just wasn't there.  Many Thanks Neil!

Best Regards

Alf  

PATSY

You are thinking along the same lines as I was, hence the title, you know, it might even inspire me to write one : - )

Many Thanks for your astute observations and kind words Patsy.

Best Regards

Alf

GRAYHAM

Sincere thanks for your interest and positive feedback, very much appreciated! I wasn't at all confident in the lens ability to capture that detail at the full foca llength in the thickening fog, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Cheers Grayham!

Alf

HARRY

I know you write about "hard work" from personal experience, your own images are testement to the "crack of dawn" times that you spend capturing that perfect moment. This time though I got lucky, it was a last shot before home. Ther lens is relatively inexpensive and does a good job, but yeah the ful frame sensoe does help a lot too.

Sincere thanks for your interest and kind words.

Best Regards

Alf

STEVE

Bambi has thrown down the stick in disgust because the other team ran off with the Pine Cone (ball) cos they were getting beat! : - )

Glad you like it Steve!

Best Regards

Alf

ZSOLT

Many thanks for your interest and thoughtful observations, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

ILKKA

Thank you so much!

Best Wishes

Alf

JAMIE

Yeah I now what you mean. It kinda looks like I cropped the top, but I didn't I cropped some of the more messy out of focus vegetation at the bottom, and fortunately yeah it works!  Many Thanks for your sharp observations Jamie!

Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

Thanks you so much for your interest and kind words, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

TONY

I know exactly what you mean, and if my camera hadn't been mounted on a tripod, theres no way I could have kept it still, specially at the full 300 mm focal length.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

THEODORE

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

TONY F

Sincere thanks for your consideraton and thoughtful comments, much appreciated.  Yeah I see what you mean about the foreground brush, it does have a richer colour, maybe because the fog isn't as thick at this point, or you could be quite right, it could be a trick of the light, worth noting, before I print it, I shall tone it down somewhat.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

MAURIZIO

Yeah thats what I thought, story book material : - )

ManY Thanks and Kind Regards

Alf

KEITH

It was a classic "one last shot before home" kind of scenario, it ended up as "last 20 shots" and all of them turned out well. 

Many thanks for your interest and encouraging words mate!

Best Regards

Alf

DONNA

As I drunkenly slurred these immortal words to my wife when I made my speech on my wedding day  "Beauty is in the eyes of the Beer Holder" Thankfully she wasn't paying attention : - )

I am very pleased you like it Donna, and thank you so much for your very generous comments!

Best Regards

Alf

RICHARD

The conditions were very favourable Richard, and I was lucky enough to be there! 

Many Thanks

Alf

BEN

I guess I got lucky with this one, as he stood still for quite a while, just turning his head occaisionly. The other factor was the full  300 mm focal length, the merest twitch usually causes a blur, but I did have mounted on a tripod. Glad you liked it Ben and sicere thanks for your encouragement and keen observations.

Best Regards

Alf

MARJOLEIN

Sincere thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions, very much appreciated. I would have liked a bit more foreground, but I cropped it to eliminate the messy out of focus vegetation that prevailed. I think the other suggestion of a cut off into the tree trunk has great merit though, it adds a bit more mystery perhaps and gets rid of that dark object at the base and to the left of the tree trunk.

Best Regards

Alf

BILL

Ahh I wish! But alas no, patience isn't really one of my virtues, but I suppose what I lack in patience I make up for in determination and I will keep trying until I get something right. Sitting in one of them hides for weeks on end with nothing to comfort you but a 600 mm lens isn't my idea of fun, but I do admire the people that can do it. I'm very pleased you liked this one Bill.

Many thanks & Best Regards

Alf

JIM

Good to hear from you.  I hope yourself and your good lady are keeping well.

I was quite pleased with the tones in this one I think Patsy described it "like a story book" and I tend to agree. I'm really pleased you enjoyed viewing it Jim and thank you most sincerely for your thoughtful comments.

Warm Regards

Alf

Not much to add - this is a very strong shot - Perfect focus and good exposure including the bg. The colours are quite rich on my monitor. Title generates that little bit of Disney film feeling. Fine work. Compliments Alf!

I like this shoot, you have a good balance in the composition and the colors is great, I like the contrast between the muted sky and the colorful foreground and bottom half in this shoot.

Great work.

Best regards Tore 

you must want something!  j

So many wonderful observations on this composition Alf. It is entirely such a beautiful capture. The combinaiton and contrasts of the fog and the detail in the texture in the foreground are lovely. What a blessing that this little fellow just happened to be in that very spot as you were ending your day.

And what a perfect ending. I know if I'd captured it, I'd be so delighted and 'so anxious' to know if it had turned out as hoped. I think this image (although so many of your images would look good this way) would even look very beautiful if printed on Canvas. I don't know how 'costly' it would be, but to have to say this image has been a nice 'smile' for me today.

Lovely processing Alf. Thankyou so much for sharing.

Warmest regards, Gail

An absolute cracker Alf. A great winter shot showing a typical UK weather scene with mist and bracken. Waiting for the deer was well worth it.

Regards.....John

EL

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback, much appreciated. The iniitial foreground colour seems rich on my monitor but the rest look fairly subdued, I'm not quite sure how it came about, but I think it was a result of the 300 mm focal distance, if I process the image again though I will address that imbalance.  Yes, there is a kind Disney story quality about it, I could imagine reading a story to my grandchildren and showing them the picture.

Cheers El

Alf

TORE

Sincere thanks for your positive feedback. I would probably calm the foreground slightly if I was to re-work this. But Its great to get a balance of views and I'm really pleased you like this one.

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

How very cynical of you! But alas yes,you are right I do want something, more sharp observations.  : - )

BR

Alf

GAIL

You may remember that saying that goes around in movie star circles "Never work with animals or children" well I think that maybe that sentiment is reversed in photography, because when you do happen to capture an animal in its natural habitat, be it a deer or an ant : - ) then the appreciation of nature by those that view it seems almost universal.

I was very lucky to see this guy, looking quite forlorn and lost at the end of the day, and perhaps even more fortunate that he was standing quite still. Thats quite an interesting thought having it printed on canvas, and something I'll seriously consider, I don't think the costs are too extortionate these days. I'm so glad this one raised a smile Gail and hank You so much for your thoughtful comments and observations.

Warm Regards

Alf

JOHN

It's straight out of one of those Robin Hood films eh John : - )

This place is well worth a visit, great parkland, some interesting buildings and of course the deer. There is also a stately hall and lakes gardens etc, its a National Trust property, and not too far away, Dunham Massey, Nr Altrincham, Cheshire.

Sincere Thanks for your interest and positive feedback mate!

Best Regards

Alf

Alf, you capture and convey mood in lovely visual ways -- so often in the form of peace in nature but your works do not transmit complacency. Here, the red vegetation enlives the serenity like red pepper corns in a sweet dessert.  The mist seems to be the main character here; it's gentle, beckoning, demure and veiling and soft.  The deer is like another form of it.  I love the ears and eyes attentive to something off frame.  You have a style that shows connection to the land.  Your narratives, as well, are lovely to read

"A style that shows connection to the land"  If ever I got to choose an epitaph I think I'd be hard pushed to find one I like better. For the land is an intrinsic part of me and I only feel complete when I'm there, interacting with it. I know at weekends if I don't get my "fix" of a day out in the countryside, I feel depleted. Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words Donna, very much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

Hi Alf,

A very appealing image.

Good job using the tripod. I would not have shot this one hand held unless I changed the f-stop.

Best Regards,  Mike

I know what you mean, but the light was fading and I wanted some definition in the background trees, I think maybe using the lens wide open on this occaision could have lost that in the already foggy atmosphere.  Sincere thanks for your interest and kind words.

Best Regards

Alf

If I only say "great capture" which this is, I will omit saying a lot of other things like wonderful environment, great effect of the hazy background, surprisingly good technical quality, wonderful suitable subdued colors and mood like in a fairytale! And maybe there is more! Congratulations hard worker! The last I'm saying most sincerely because I wouldn't ever wait a minute for "something" to appear! 

Best regards Alf!

PDE

Your enthusiasm and excitement are nothing short of contagious. Your comments spread joy and appreciation, and I'm very honoured that your remarks are directed to my photograph. 

Cheers mate!

Alf

Excellent seen and caught,I like mood created around it,little deer is so attentive,the mist in bg and color hay complete this image,compliments.

Beautifully composed, well balanced photo. Very nice work.

Sweet view!!

Many thanks for your interest and positive feedback.  I think the little deer had been seperated from the rest of the herd and seemed to remain in the same position, waiting for thier return perhaps.

Best Regards

Alf

LINDA

I cropped some of the foreground which was out of focus and untidy looking and cropped some of the top of the image, as the tree seemed to be too dominant. But I suppose I got the important bit right in the viewfinder, that being the deer framed between the trees. Thanks for your visit and kind words Linda.

Best Regards

Alf

ALBERTO

Many Thanks, you are most kind.

Best Wishes

Alf

Congratulations on a beautiful image and all of the well-deserved kudos you've received on this.  Pierre touched on my feelings.....the fantasy idea.  I half expect to see a unicorn in this setting instead of a deer.   It does have a story-book feel to it, and surely you'll be able to find a way to incorporate this in a book someday (perhaps for your grandchildren)?  :-)  Fantastic work, Alf!

Many thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback, very much appreciated. I have wrote a couple of "fairy stories" for my grandchildren.  The tales of "Fairy Nuff" was a great hit with them when they were younger : - ) It's a difficult balancing act, the more time I have for photography = the less time I have for writing, but who knows one day I might get time to fit it all in. I think you are right though, this image does have a story book kind of appeal.

Cheers Christal

Alf

Very detailed high quality shot. Background is nicely blurred giving a nice depth to it. Color and light, as well as composition all are spot on. Bravo.

Hamid.

I was quite surprised at the quality of this image myself, as the light wasn't great and I was using the lens at its full 300 mm.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful observations and positive feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

Great image. One needs the large view to really get the details. You have put that lens to wonderful use here!

Best Regards, Tibi

Well.......... I knew the lens was good, but it still managed to surprise me. Glad you liked this one.

Best Regards

Alf