Erik Rosengren, FPSA, PPSA  


3's a Crowd, Prairie Dogs by Erik Rosengren, FPSA, PPSA

August 2018 - 3's a Crowd, Prairie Dogs

About the Image(s)

How I did it—I was invited to judge the Oklahoma Int. competition located in Oklahoma City. After the completion of same, we were treated to several photo shoots. One of which was located in the oldest mountain range in the USA, and the only one that stretches West to East. It was there that we found a Prairie Dog town. There were 100 + of these cute animals in telephoto range. “3’s a croud-Prairie Dogs” was one of my favorites. I was so mesmerized by the beautiful wild flowers that were blooming throughout their town that I almost forgot to push the shutter button. My tools for the day were Canon 7D Mark 11 coupled with the Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 IS lens, hand held at 280 mm at ISO 200. This image was made at f8 so all the Prairie Dogs were in focus but the flowers remained soft. Being heavily involved with PSA for the last 18 yrs. has presented me with so many new friends and shooting opportunities around the world, what a blessing.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted




 
Really nice work on this shot Erik! I keep looking at this photo looking at the faces of the individual animals wondering what they are thinking. The focus was done well and the flowers are amazing serving as a perfect foreground and background for the portrait. I really am fascinated by the position that the far left prairie dog has adopted and they all work well together as a pleasing composition I feel. Nothing further for me to add but great image and amazing work! and the prairie dogs were even polite enough to look in a left-to-right position for you :)   Posted: 08/02/2018 21:45:40



Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Erik, beautiful family portrait of the prairie dogs on a great backdrop of colorful flowers, blurred enough not to compete with the main subject which is very sharp. The colorful foreground also adds in the composition. Obviously they are curious of something going on, perhaps the other photographers. I only added a little light to the shadows, and decreased a bit the brightness in the background. Great image indeed.   Posted: 08/03/2018 10:40:51
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Super job getting the prairie dogs in sharp focus and the flowers blurred handheld! They look like they're judging the competition.   Posted: 08/06/2018 15:03:30



Guy Davies   Guy Davies
The prairie dogs are beautifully portrayed, alert and very sharp with great backlighting to accentuate their furry outlines. The out of focus flowers in the background help the composition and contrast well with the foreground grass. The flowers in the lower left also complement the composition but could distract. Would a slight crop off the bottom help?   Posted: 08/08/2018 09:08:15
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Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Maybe ?, may be not ?   Posted: 08/11/2018 10:56:58
Guy Davies   Guy Davies
Shall we ask a judge???   Posted: 08/11/2018 13:28:36



Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Erik
I see what you mean about the wild flowers they make a stunning backdrop you did a fantastic job with the depth of field the angle of the prairie dogs is perfect and has been said you could add many a caption to this image but for me another top nature image from not only a superb photographer but someone who knows and understands his subject and that really shows in all your nature images.   Posted: 08/15/2018 15:34:28



Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Great capture.The dogs are very sharp and in a good position. You and I may have discussed this image prior to submission and I'm still of the opinion that the flowers in the foreground are a distraction. I question either a tighter crop on the bottom or some selective darkening of that area.   Posted: 08/23/2018 09:50:31