Elk

What can I do to improve this type of picture.

This was at 300mm using my sigma 70-300. Been looking at a Tamron 200-400 5.6 lens I found very reasonably.

The elk were an easy 150 yards away behind a fence that the Game Dept. has up since they feed wintering elk there.

Post Processing was just exposure, and light and cropped.

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First, I'd get rid of the annoying watermark. That's all my eye is drawn to. The square crop doesn't work for me, but that's completely subjective. Others might find it pleasing, but I think it gives the picture a static feel. I'm not sure an extra 100mm of zoom would have made a huge difference here, although 200mm more might have allowed you to better isolate the big-racked buck.

As for processing, the shot looks a little over-exposed on my monitor. I'd also make a curves adjustment to get a little more contrast in the scene. I'm seeing a very slight pinkish hue in the snow, so maybe a little white balance adjustment, too.

But my main worry is your subject. We can see elk anywhere. You live in Washington, so get out there and find Bigfoot already. I think hairy man-apes would be a much better subject.

Get out there and keep shooting, and don't come back without a Sasquatch.

It's hard to find a central subject or theme. The bull with the big rack is kind of lost in the crowd. the foreground snow doesn't help either. It might be better to focus in on one or two animals next time.
Ditto on the watermark!

Thanks for the help. I apologize for the watermark, yes it is distracting.

Yes a Bigfoot would be a very good picture to have. However, you would not see it posted here if I got one. hehehehe You would see me on the news, selling the picture to the highest bidder!

Again, thanks for the help, and will continue to shoot.

John,

I have photographed elk at that same location - in the same flat, dull light. There are times when it's ok to admit that there simply isn't a great image awaiting you on a particular day, and let it go, instead of trying to force things.
This would be one of those situations where there really wasn't anything you could have done to produce a much better image. This comes from the experience of being at that same place with that same light.

Maybe you could have gone down around the bend and tried your luck with the bighorn sheep?

Tom,

Thanks for the help. That was the feeding station at Joe Watt, not Oak Creek, so is a bit of a drive to see the bighorns, lol.

I see your pics on the hunting forum all the time, I can only hope to become as good as you.

Again, thanks for the advice.

John

Too much white on top overshadows the rest of photo and it also lacks some contrast. Personally having gone vertical and cropped a little closer would have made it stand out more.