n. america - usa - wy - yellowstone & tetons nps DSC09333

To be honest, yes, the lighting looks a tad flat but I note highlights on his horns, back and the trees so I took the liberty of downloading and making small adjustments.  I opened this in Capture NX2 and simply added contrast and slight brightening, no other changes.  I hope you don't mind and the revised version is attached.

Regardless, a magnificent portrait of this handsome guy.... Mike

This image is a showcase of how well nature succeeds with its creatures.  You couldn't have done any better even if you had posed this incredible animal.  

I do see Mike's point, but given the fact that the color tones in the original are somewhat subdued, I like it better, for whatever that's worth.

My best,

michael

To Two Mikes, 

Thanks to both of you for observations and suggestions. I never mind when someone works on my images and reposts them. I do it myself on other's images once or twice per week. I seem to always learn something (and, in many cases, a whole lot, when someone take the time to rework mine. Thank again. Jim

This superb animal has indeed a so good posture caught here (like did special to you) that shows whole is power and majesty same time,very,very nice one.I see what Mike said about the light and color and his version did with a bit more contrast and bright has as result an image that  highlight the subject characteristic and makes it to be more evident,but imo is lost a bit of softness,so thinking about this may be somewhere middle way would be better.

sincerely radu

I think its a great shot of a superb forest animal.  the velvet on its antlers, the color and non-reflectance of its fur give it the ability o blend in the forest surroundings.  The strong pose is magnificent.  Very well done.

"Is the color too bland for you?"

Although I do like and appreciate Mike's rework that indeed does make the Bull Elk stand out more against the background. But, my answer to your inquiry would be no.

Maybe I've spent too much time watching wild creatures in their natural environments and have grown to appreciate their ability to blend in so well!

He gave you a magnificant pose to catch all the fine details of those "in velvet Antlers" that he's obviously proud of!

Although the lighting is a little subdued, for me, it still works well.

Regards with envy,

Jim j.