Hide & Seek

I don't think this is a great shot technically, the fog, the light and the

distance prevented me getting any great detail, but it was the amusing

aspect that struck me. The couple you see walking away had been

waiting for the deer to make an appearance, they waited cameras in

hand as I watched from a distance, then of course as soon as they

turned to walk away, the deer come out to play. Your thoughts and

comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

Hi Alf............. your story sells the image.

I apprecaite your admission to the images shortcomings... as you see them, but for me.... the more I look at this, the more I see.

Congrats for being there in the first place.... it would have been a cosy fireside for me.

Thanks for sharing my friend.

Best regards

I agree with Graham, this image is all about story telling, and it is excellent at that.  I think the fog/mist and the light support the story well of the two deer slipping behind the couple stealthily, almost tiptoeing away. All the elements are there and well organized: the leading lines, the triangular placement of the 2 deer and the couple, the attitude of the deer.  There is humor in this image as well as irony.   I like it a lot.  Cheers - michel

Alf, I would not argue the point, whether this is a great photo or not, but it is an interesting photo which may actually be more important. As you know I don’t get all that hung up on technique and I see nothing here technique wise that detracts from the story of the photograph, no technique that I would say is inappropriate which is where I draw the distinction. 

I have been trying to determine what could be or what could have been done to tell the story you wrote and I am not sure that is entirely possible. Even if a camera were clearly discernible it wouldn’t say that they had been waiting for the deer and finally gave up just before the deer crossed the path. As much as I would like to see that story in the photograph it am not sure it is necessary.

The story is clearly that the couple missed the deer. Now it may be the natural build of the deer but they almost seem, as mentioned, to be tip toeing across the path as though they are trying not to attract the attention of the couple. So the story is still there, possibly missing a few of the details but pretty much the essence.  The couple oblivious, in a fog to use the slang is clearly indicated figuratively and somewhat literally which retains the humor of the situation. It is a photograph that can be enjoyed without the details although I am pleased that you did share the rest of the story.

This is unique photograph.  It succeeds exactly because the fog obscures the details.  By doing so it reveals only the basic elements.  Without the fog the image would be two busy.  As it is it is just right.  The tones are wonderful and the overall atmosphere is fantastic.  And the important thing is that it is not forced.  It creates itself. This is a photograph to be proud of.  It goes into my "favorites" folder.

Re-reading my comment....... it doesn't read as I thought it. The first line is meant to convey the point that one sees more and more within the image, the longer one looks at it..... not that I found more technical errors.. I didn't look for any.

Sorry for my poor use of English, the first time around.

Best regards

A beautiful result with very nice lighting, Alf!

lovely.  you do these so well.  bravo.  j

Alf,

  Wonderful capture with a great story to boot.  To me the fog makes the image.  Great work!!  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

Alf...

I really like this image.  Love the fog and the deer behind the couple that are walking.  Your story is wonderful and you picked a great title.  Good work and thanks for sharing. 

Immaculate timing on your part and also the animals -  they knew when to pull out thus avoiding danger from 'sapiens'.  Well done!

Alf, this is a very nice story shot-I don't believe any amount of technique could improve upon the image you've captured given the conditions under which it was taken. Too many times we get hung up on the technicals of a situation, and miss good shots in the process. That's certainly not the case here.   -R 

Sometimes technique doesn't matter.  The timing  here was excellent!

Great story and great image!

The fact that you captured this is amazing enough, but everything is so perfectly placed.  I think it's a successful image in every way.  Pure story telling.  But Alf, you didn't 'finish' the story.  Did this couple ever realize after the fact that the deer had crossed right behind them? 

Alf, I like this one very much. I think the fog adds a nice atmosphere and the deer seem to be sneaking by thinking they haven't been seen. I like the visible branches on either side framing the scene and the way the couple is centered between the deer. 

when giving friendly advice on how I got a shot I call this sort of thing "Stay in the pocket", a reference to American football. I guess this is my version of f8 and be there.

Many photographers don't have the patience, discipline or desire to wait somewhere to photograph the scene that they really wanted to catch.

The deer here just waited them out with the patience that a wild animal will always display.

As a diver getting up at 430-500 AM to go diving prepared me well to get up at around the same time to photograph a sunrise say. Sitting on the bottom at 80' in 60 degree water for 30 minutes waiting to get just the right shot of a starfish taught me patience often needed in land based photography.

How many people that ask me how I got a shot  say that I am insane in the next breath for getting up that early to take a "picture".

So now when they ask I always just answer, "I stayed in the pocket." Be patient and take your proverbial lumps and you just might get the shot that you want.

A great scene. I love it and think it should be used when teaching photography.

GRAYHAM

"Sods Law" would have been a good alterantive for a title : - )

I only told a part of the story, the couple had been gazing into the woods standing at the far left of the road for some time, I watched from a good distance away whilst I waited for my photo buddy to finish taking a shot behind me. The two deer that are visible were the start of a procession of about 20 or more that crossed the road behind them. After snapping the initial two, I tried to get a few more shots but I knew it was useless as by this time I was really laughing. It was a sight to behold.

No worries I didn't interpret your words in any other way than they were mean't, I knew there was no negative aspect to them, and as always I really do appreciate your invaluable imput.

This was a freezing cold day, the sun didn't penetrate the thick fog all day, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world, I must have a dozen or more images that I am more than happy with from this particular outing. "DEEP" being one of them. These conditions don't present themselves too often in the UK so I took full advantage. Although I must concede........there were times during that day when the "cosy fireside" seemed like a better idea.

Thanks for looking in Grayham, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

MICHEL

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments. As you can read above in my reply to Grayham, there was more than two deer. I'm really pleased you picked up on the humorous aspect of the image, it's mostly what it was about for me and I'm glad you liked it.

Best Regards

Alf

GARY

I took numerous images on this particular day, some may be considered as good nature shots, whilst others may be considered as nice moody images, it was a day when the prevailing condition made a lot of things possible.  But this shot was different, no tripod ready, no pre-arranged settings, it was just point, auto focus and shoot. I was actually quite surprised that it turned out at all. But when I viewed it later It brought back the humour of the moment and I had another chuckle.  I suppose the only way a more comprehensive storyy could have been illustrated  would have been with a series of shots, starting with one of the couple staring into the foggy depths of the woodland, one of them turning away and finally the one I've posted.........oh to have that kind of insight to capture the trilogy : - ) As desribed above I didn't complete the story, it actually become more amusing as these two deer were followed by another dozen or so more deer all roughly the same size "tiptoeing" in single file without a sound and without detection from the retreating couple.  So yes, I concur the details are missing, but I guess some conclusions could be drawn from the shot even if I chose not to share the story, which for me usually isn't an option, I like to share. Its very gratifying that you have took the time to read it and provide me with a excellent anaysis.

Many Thanks and Best Regards

Alf

ALEX

You have homed in on an interesting point and perhaps something I hadn't previously considered fully, and that is the level of detail that is missing being a positive attribute rather than a negative. I agree a plethora of branches and vegetation as well as more people that would have been otherwise visible would have been somewhat distracting, but I still have a desire to see more detail in the deer themselves if nothing else, but I guess I'm being rather ungrateful, it was a unique opportunity.

Sincere thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback, I'm very honoured you consider this a favourite.

Best Regards

Alf

GRAYHAM

No Worries at all my friend I understood perfectly : - ) The English language has more anomaly's than double Dutch!

Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words.

Best Regards

Alf

JAMIE

Quite a lot of blurry bits too : - )

Sincere Thanks Jamie

Alf

PATSY

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, much appreciated! The fog was indeed a major element.

Best Regards

Alf

BILL

Sincere thanks for your interest and observations, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

TONY H

These creatures are a lot smarter than us "Sapiens" give them credit for.  It kind of makes me wonder if I ever missed anything like that when I've walked away : - ) 

Many Thanks Tony!

Alf

RANDALL

I suspect you could be right, the distance and compression along with the fog was always going to make the shot a tricky one. And yes I'm totally guilty of being one of those that fiddles about with apertures and focus points before taking a shot, thankfully this time I acted first and thought about it later : - ) 

Sincere Thanks

Alf

KATHY

The timing of the deer was impeccable as they sneaked past the retreating couple, I was just fortunate to have a camera in my hand with a long lens fitted already.  I'm really pleased you liked it !

Many Thanks

Alf

CHRISTAL

You are right I didn't complete the tale so....... The next thng that happened was that another three deer followed the two you can already see and then more and more, until about 20 all in single file, were silently "tiptoeing"  and skipping across the road and dissapearing into the woodland on the right of the image, and yes, all to the total oblivion of the retreating couple who just continued walking. It's just as well I wasn't anywhere near close or they would have heard me chuckling! 

Sincere thanks and Best Regards

Alf

TONY F

Yes I got the distinct impression they were being sneaky too. I kind of wish I was perhaps another 100 yards closer when I took the shot to enable a bit more clarity, but then maybe the deer wouldn't have showed at all.

Cheers Tony & Best Regards

Alf

JOE

I like the "stay in the pocket" analogy and I can really relate to the early morning starts for your diving photographs. Before I was interested n photography my great love was fishing and patience and early starts also went hand in hand with success. Almost without exception, the light at the very beginning of the day and the last vestiges of light at the end of the day are so much more attractive and foregiving than mid day sun, or bright conditions. Staying in the same place also brings its own rewards, as conditions change and sometimes, as in this case a scene is played out before your eyes, that you could never have imagined. However in this particular case I can't take too much credit for, getting up early, or being very patient. The light was good in the sense it wasnt too bright because of the prevailing fog, and I was simply waiting for a freind to finish taking shots in another direction. I suppose if I was to get any brownie points for anything, it would be for staying silent while I waited and remaining alert as to what was going on some 200 yards away. "Insane" to get up at 4.30 am to get the shot you want? ........no way! As far as I'm concerned, it would be insane not to. : - ) Interesting thought too, using the shot as a teaching tool, I have written short tutorials in the past and its definately worthy of consideration.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and invaluable feedback Joe!

Best Regards

Alf

the foreground.  quite bold.  j

Nice and quiet life.  We could all live together. Nice composition.  The fog adds more beauty to the scene.  Best Regards,

Sod's or Murphy's Law... whichever, but the essence of any photograph (IMO) is emotive and this shot fulfills that explicitly... downright funny, especially since we can all see ourselves in this situation.  Thanks for sharing...  Mike

Superb timing in this excellent shot Alf! Very cute image!

All the best,
Neil

Alf This is a really well seen image, timming is everything and you have isolated the key figures in the image well. Thanks for posting.

Knowing your imagination and of course your spectacular 'word-smithing' Alf, I can almost hear a whole dialogue. The couple walking away, disappointed in not capturing any shots of ANY deer. But of course the wonderful 'banter' between the two young deer as they quietly scamper away, giggling to themselves and inwardly 'shaking their heads' over their little 'prank'!! I wonder what you would NAME them???? LOVE IT !!!!

Sincere regards dear Alf, thank you for the lovely image and of course the ;-) and chuckle. Made my day............Gail

JAMIE

Bold but incidental I suppose, more as a result of doing something else rather than a deliberate "blurry bit" : - )

Regards

Alf

WANGHAN

The fog was indeed a key element to the shot, to quote a previous comment, though not word for word  "the fog isolates the main protagonists, and without it the surrounding elements would draw the attention away from them"

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

MIKE

You nailed it! When we laugh at this one, we are of course recognising the situation from one we have potentially experienced, either knowingly or unknowingly. I still have nightmares about the time I sneaked up, commando style, on a stuffed bird in front of a dozen giggling onlookers : - )  Sincere thanks for your thoughts and pretty accurate interpretation!

Best Regards

Alf

NEIL

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, sometimes things just unfold when your holding a camera, I suppose the moral of the story is to hold a camera much more often : - )

Cheers!

Alf

RICHARD

Many Thsnks for your thoughtful comments and invaluable feedback. As things turned out I was fortunate that the fog kind of eliminated almost everything but the subjects, I was also fortunate that I was looking at the avenue of foggy trees with a shot in mind, when the deer appeared at the edge of the woods, I had been waiting for the couple to make a move to take a shot, and it seems the deer were waiting so they could cross the road : - )

Best Regards

Alf

GAIL

Ahhh Gail you know me far too well : - ) I have already named them in my mind, and the names I thought of were going to be the title, but I thought I'd keep it simple. the names, right to left were "Sneaky Hoof & Light Foot"  probably not very anatomically correct, but somehow it seemed to be appropriate naming after thier cunning prank : - ) I'm so glad it made you chuckle Gail, it had the same effect on me!

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

I don't critique a lot of shots because I know little about technique. Hence, why I started to post and look on this site because I can see the value in  improofing my technique. However, I'm in it because I love the view. I take what I see. And what I see here is a one of a kind, great shot that could not have been planned, where no amount of expesive equipment, software, tripod, or education on composition matter. Just pure natural capture of a wonderful moment. Just the art of seeing and capturing the story. In my opinion, trumps technique any day. As far as technique goes, who says what the right amount of detail is, or that the more detail the better the image? Maybe the same people who think more saturation is always better? lol Personally, I like it exactly the way it is. Beautiful shot!