Caribou along the Denali Highway, Alaska.
I can’t decide on this photo – Does this one “work” for you? I like this bull and love the colors, but was really hoping he would turn sideways, or better yet, turn towards me. At least I can see his eye. So, do you think having the caribou walking a way from me is a deal breaker?
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Not a deal breaker but it has a very different mood to it than the show you were hoping for. This could work well towards the end of a slide show, as a parting shot for a magazine, or with a hunting article. Again, great colors
that’s “shot” not “show”
I think it is a great shot – beautiful colors and nice highlighting on the caribou, but I can’t imagine it printed at 20″ and sold somewhere due to the angle of the caribou.
Top of the Day Ron,
All good Alaskan photographer’s portfolio includes caribou bull head-on shots, head profile shots, and full body profile shots but…, not so many. This photo is unique. And the clarity, color and lighting is perfect. Even the position of the hooves are perfect. One white hoof would change the balance considerably I think.
Might suggest not using “walking” in any captioning. Until I saw that word I was sure the caribou was trotting away from you.
The photo is a keeper.
Cheers!
Warren
Artists are always painting the south end of north facing animals. The idea that every shot you take has to be head on is ridiculous. This one just tells a different angle to the story. Perhaps not a portfolio piece but a good addition to your arsenal none the less. 🙂
Author
Thanks everyone for the great feedback!
@ Milo – I was cuious what an excellent wildlife specialist like yourself would think – thanks.
Thanks Daryl!
Thanks Warren! How did you do up there? We didn’t stick around, saw a truck and camper that matched your description near Sourdough on Saturday, but wasn’t sure if it was you so didn’t stop. Maybe it was you and you came up from Glennallen?
Thanks Rebecca – good point!
I like shots similar to this because it makes me feel like even animals are in awe of their surroundings sometimes. Of course, some animals are more photogenic from behind!.. 🙂
It works very fine for me and I agree withe Warren…
I see one eye of the caribou, and finally, the caribou tell me a story…. I think he goes away, but, he turns is head, surely because he wants to tell me something. But what? We can imagine a lot of things…
Really nice shoot, I appreciate it. It rocks!
He is looking both ways before crossing? LOL Great shot, I love the contrast of colors and also the depth of field works well for that image.
You take the greatest photos, Ron! I love pictures such as this that tell stories or lend themselves well to jokes. Want to bet that this caribou could tell us a story or two? I agree with Milo’s comment…there’s a time and a place for this particular image. As a stand-alone gallery image, I’d probably admire the great color and envy the animals that lived there, but I most likely wouldn’t purchase it because of a tiny little thing that keeps distracting me…the white markings near the hoofs. A good caption, however, could change my mind 😉
I think you have a winner for stock usage. Great lighting, lots of usable space around a striking bull caribou in amazing Alaskan Fall colors.
Caption.
“Come enjoy Alaska’s Fall colors with the locals!”
This is a beautiful capture Ron and we all have taken them from behind but, we usually prefer them in another postion. I would keep it but I don’t think it will be a big money maker–but then what do I know. Good job capturing what you were offerred.
Author
I like that caption Calvin!
I definitely will keep it – it will be interesting to see if it does ever sell – thanks for all the great comments!
With the angle that the caribou is facing I’d say it would be more effective had it been a tighter crop of it’s upper torso. Very beautiful foliage though.
Ron, that probably was us you saw near Sourdough. We did Denali east to west thinking we would be running against the incoming storm and minimize time in the storm. Best laid plans… We had a great time and put several photos on the card with which we are pretty happy. Vicki and I have put a few up on fb.
Sure, it would be great if the guy decided to show his front, but the world is not perfect. Otherwise, I think it is a lovely photo, beautiful autumn colors there.
This photo works for me because caribou are all about the antlers…and in this photo my attention is drawn more to them than it would be if the view was face on.
Author
Thanks again for the honest feedback!
@ Warren – I bet we did see you! We kept a head of the storm by continuing west to Nebesna – then it caught us.
Ron, I feel the animal is not showing his best side. The colors, horns, the eye, are great. If part of a group, he would be fine. For a single critter, more body mass, more muscle, would be my call.
This is a tough call Ron. First off, if there was no eye showing, I think this would go to the trash bin. But, you do have decent eye contact (not directly into the lens, but close enough). I wish the head were turned ever so slightly more toward the camera – this would make a great over the shoulder portrait.
I also wish the caribou was moved more toward the left-bottom corner of the photo. I know this would clip some of the great foliage on the left, but I think a more pleasing composition would make up for that.
In general, I agree with the other comments – definitely a keeper for stock. I have no problem with shots of wildlife from behind – for me it all comes down to the eyes. I connect so much more with animals whose eyes make good contact with the camera.
Amazing wildlife shots!
This is picture is BERATHTAKING!!! Omg!!!! I LOVE the bright colors and the crispness of the leaves, yet there’s still selective focus. Everything about this picture. Aaaah!!! It’s so awesome! Fantastic job! 🙂
Author
Wow, more wonderful, insightful comments! Without such a colorful hillside, this would hit the delete bin for sure – those colors help save the photo. Thanks!
I think it’s much more interesting than a straight-on head shot. This photo is all about the antlers. And the light is hitting them perfectly. Even though it’s a shot from the back, the antlers are curling forward, toward wherever the caribou is walking. To me, the antlers are like someone beckoning with their arm or their finger, saying come with me, this way! I think it’s cool and different.
Author
Thanks Megan!
Hi Ron! Such a treat to see your talent! Really, it’s a wonderful thing you do. I had to add a comment about this one, I know nothing about photography. This is coming from an average lover of the art. I LOVE this one. I would buy it. The colors are so amazing and stand out, giving the caribou such a canvas. I feel like the caribou is inviting me to check out what’s next! Like “Follow me…”
Had to pipe in cause this one really got me, well they all do 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
ruthie
Author
Hi Ruthie,
Thanks so much for piping in – great to hear from you!
I think this is a really nice image, and lacking any caribou shots I would be very happy to have it in my archives, although I think that compared to some of your other work it does fall a bit flat. I really like the colors and the pose, but for me, the image would be stronger if there was more space for the caribou to be looking into (perhaps if it was a horizontal frame instead?). that might give the feeling that he was admiring the scene just as the viewer would be. this might be especially true since the brightest colors are to the opposite side of the direction he’s looking, which gave me a competing focus between looking through the image to the left or right. but anyone who’s ever photographed wildlife knows that you can’t always have the animal exactly where you would prefer to drop it in the scene!