Nikon D850 Nikkor 200x400 f4 lens @360mm, ISO 1000, f4, 1/640. Hand held while lying flat on the ground.
Sorry, nothing terribly exciting this month. While parked at a scenic overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway just after daybreak I noticed a small herd of young bucks grazing out on the meadow. Using some trees along the edge of the parking area I slowly stalked the deer. When I got as close as I dared I got to a prone position and moved through the ground cover to frame up my shot. This buck was slightly separated from the others and thus became my subject. Suddenly, the buck raised his head, looked over his should at his friends and bolted forward across the meadow. I was able to track and span off a burst capturing the deer at a full run. I always thought deer where such graceful runners but in this freeze action frame he looks like he is about to fall flat on his face. I chose this solely based on the deer’s semi comic body position. Just for the record all the other bucks made a right turn and ran off into the trees. This is the only one that ran down the meadow.
6 comments posted
Butch Mazzuca
This shot is terrific Larry, God bless! When I lived in Vail we had deer everywhere and never was I able to get off a clean shot of a running buck (or any other deer.) Maybe not exciting to you, but I love this image - great job of panning and an excellent low perspective. I also think f4 was a perfect choice here. As an aside, I usually use a smaller aperture because I'm always afraid of a sharp nose and a soft tail in these types of situations. And when I first saw the image I thought all four hooves were off the ground, they're not, but the position of the subject's hooves are the next best thing :-) - great shot Larry Posted: 07/02/2025 16:21:55
Larry Treadwell
Thanks for commenting. Like you I rarely see deer (that included elk and moose) off and actually running. Occasionally a tort but not much else. I've been told it is to reserve calories and save energy. Regardless, they don't run. If memory serves I think it is the third time I've seen them really sprint. I do think it is a neat, and rare shot but the story is much to implied for PSA standards. Still most of my shots will likely not meet PSA standards and that is fine by me. I like them and that is all that matters. As for why the f4--part of it is knowing my lens and the experience, If the lens is at infinity everything will be in focus. But most of all it is the direction the deer is running. He is not running toward the camera nor away from it. He is running from right to left and thus across the plane of the sensor and that allows for a much more shallow DOF. Sorry about not getting all four feet off the ground. I've got a few years left--so I'll keep trying. I love the challenge you have thrown out to me. :-) Posted: 07/04/2025 13:45:01
Bud Ralston
Hi Larry - I am very embarrassed. I have been so busy doing things other than photography that this month's submission slipped my mind. I'm getting ready to go on a 10-day trip to Southeast Alaska, and I have humpbacks and orcas on my brain.
I love this picture. It is definitely a comedy shot. It appears the buck has stumbled over its own feet and is falling on its face. That's not something one would see every day. Very nice capture. Posted: 07/13/2025 23:01:12
Larry Treadwell
Thanks Bud
The fact that it looked like it was about to fall on its face is why I selected this image. They always look so graceful when they run, but here is the truth exposed. Posted: 07/26/2025 19:57:21
Cindy Marple
I'm impressed that you were able to pan and keep up with this fellow from a prone position! I like the low perspective and the separation from the meadow that it gave you.
The soft light is so helpful here, no bright spots or hard shadows to cause distractions.
The pose captured is indeed humorous! I like your choice- I'm sure you had other good frames to pick from as well. Posted: 07/20/2025 20:03:32
Larry Treadwell
Thanks Cindy
When I'm prone I often rest on my elbows which leaves my forearms free. I don't get a really wide angle to pan but in this instance it was enough. I've about 10 shots in the burst to pick from. Posted: 07/26/2025 20:00:35
