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The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild
skewsme


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Classic Novels (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Canon EOS-40D
Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Date: Oct 15, 2013
Date Uploaded: Oct 15, 2013

 This was the most awkward shot of the elk. I was really caught by the odd angle and bulging eyes, ugly mouth. Originally, even this shot was kind of pretty and soft but that didn't fit my recollection of Buck's travails, full of strife and uncertainty. So I processed it to be harsher, darker. It would have been easy to submit a wolf. I tried for mood.

Crop: This was shot with a 400mm prime and is virtually uncropped. It's tighter than I'd have liked but I did like the frame of his antlers.

Thank you for all the comments and votes.


Statistics
Place: 23 out of 86
Avg (all users): 6.1150
Avg (commenters): 5.7500
Avg (participants): 5.9783
Avg (non-participants): 6.2090
Views since voting: 535
Views during voting: 217
Votes: 113
Comments: 27
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 10/23/2013 02:28:26 AM
I think this is a terrific image, but I like this one better for the challenge:
Still, not a bad finish. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/23/2013 01:17:04 AM
I really like this image and felt strongly it met the challenge. Super good rep of your chosen novel. I felt your processing was right on target. It's not overly sharpened. Excellent control of the exposure, too. The pose you have captured is a really good example of a Flehmen response. It's the manner in which many of the large cervids (and bovids) detect pheromones in the air. Likely. few city dwellers would recognize the behavior. I gave this a "7", but it deserved higher than that. Keep up the good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/22/2013 06:26:04 PM
(Know that I only vote in even numbers.)

A six for you. I'm not a huge fan of wildlife photography, but this is nicely composed and somewhat comical.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2013 06:22:19 PM
Perfect image for this novel and well done.(voted earlier)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2013 05:04:10 PM
good face on and interpretation/inspiration. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2013 04:49:21 PM
This could have been a smashing wildlife pic, but the light on the animal is too bright/harsh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2013 11:23:27 AM
it looks like his mouth is on upside down - i like it!
i like the framing here as well - keeping our attention here on the call with the eyes staring us down
a 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/22/2013 12:36:53 AM
Most excellent wildlife capture, a la Richard
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2013 10:14:57 PM
4...IMO the critter needs some breathing space.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2013 10:09:24 PM
Oh, what would Buck say? I mean, Jack London's one.
I personally do not like this shot at all. It shows a very unhappy stuffed animal and a lot of sharpening
4
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2013 07:18:50 PM
That's not a dog or wolf. ??? Wasn't it Jack London that wrote the novel titled the same as this photo?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2013 06:48:55 PM
Fascinating creature. Is it an albino?

I suppose this does evoke the wilds of Alaska, and the white color makes me think of the companion novel "White Fang"....

Composition here isn't bad, but the detail isn't as solid as I would like either - there are too-sharp bits, and too-soft bits. A bit of selective sharpening would have done much for this image.

Anyway. Nice job. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/21/2013 11:05:57 AM
good find, lucky shot. focus is OK but would have loved it crisper. 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2013 10:52:08 PM
Magnificent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2013 07:46:35 PM
But it was about wolves as I remember. Still, a shot that could be considered inspired by the book and an impossibly literal interpretation of the title. 7 for the rarity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/19/2013 01:16:39 PM
fantastic angle, freaky with the eyes especially! A little bleachy on the hide but I'd say an elk bugling meets the novel. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2013 10:31:11 PM
Wonderful wildlife shot. Easily a 7 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2013 07:25:35 PM
A loose tie to the story. Overall a great shot, almost looks like it's staring at you. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2013 09:17:05 AM
i like it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/18/2013 12:30:29 AM
That IS wild!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2013 09:23:09 PM
Well, that's an extraordinary view isn't it? He's definitely bugling, too :-) The eyes are fantastic. Works fine with the book.

I'll give it a 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2013 08:56:28 PM
Alright, so my take on the photo.

I can see some literal translations in this photo...
One obviously the animal is calling...and it is wild. Got it.
Now for the stretch...the dog's name is Buck. I guess this animal would be a Buck if that is how they name the male.

The image is just ok to me. It doesn't really make me feel anything. The whites on the body would be better if there was more contrast. I would also like to see more detail in the horns. It looks like they have great texture.

Gave it a 3
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2013 04:14:56 PM
Interesting angle. The composition is low-energy, cropped close to the subject but not quite touching the edge except for the bottom. 4
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/17/2013 09:58:53 AM
I think the angle of this shot throws it off for me. There is a good clarity here, the title is very fitting... but the straight-on approach to his face makes him look awkward. Gave it a 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/16/2013 11:21:25 PM
Nice enough cameo by the moose (or elk? I don't know), not really up on my moose etiquette enough to know what's going on, but I'll take your (and its') word on it. Composition is interesting enough, maybe a little crop off the right side. 5.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/16/2013 07:31:17 PM
Nice capture, with great detail. Eyes seem a touch overprocessed and unnatural to me? Nonetheless, great picture and timing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/16/2013 11:55:16 AM
An ugly image, very unappealing, a bit too central.6.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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