As I wrapped up my shoots from the summer, one of the items that I do a self-look at is how my wildlife images turned out as compared to the previous year. In truth, wildlife shoots were not as much of a focus in my work from the summer as they have been in other years, but one area in particular has always intrigued me, both in how easy access can be, but also in how much frustration I have in failing to make the images I see in my mind. And this past summer was no different. This is of course - deer. Now, I know there are ways to maximize my success, but I prefer to setup and shoot in as pure a setting as I can. This means that I am in their home and I have to act accordingly. I do as much as I can to make sure that I am set up for the shot, but I do not bait or try to control them in any way. What you would see is as close to their reality as it can be with me nearby. So the assessment, and I am not ashamed to admit, but this past summer was another complete failure. Part of this is a gear problem, as some of these locations that I have available to me to work are among some of the best I could hope for. (This particular deer here in the image buzzed my grandfather's cabin every night between 6 and 6:15 pm - you could set a clock to it). But it is also true that I still need a lot of self work on the approach and techniques that I am using as I am consistently coming away with less than I hoped for. But I feel like this is the game, and in particular what makes it so incredible. I can take this effort, be honest with it, realize it can and needs to be better, and start making those changes to see it through. In every possible way, failure is only a step on the path to getting it right. (Although I am hoping soon that I can skip a few of these steps..) Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!
Galena, South Dakota - At Home in the Forest