photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Wm. Bates | all galleries >> Picture a Day for a Year of Wanda Gallery >> Click here for Wanda In August Gallery > Wanda08_31_04.jpg
previous | next
31-AUG-2004

Wanda08_31_04.jpg

Wanda and I went for a walk down the hill to the neighbors; so, I could meet the cow and her calf. This is a picture of something I thought I would never see, Wanda playing with a cow. She is scared to death of cattle. When we hike she would rather meet a bear or a moose on the trail than a cow!We have lots free range cattle that graze on the National Forest where we hike. She just loves this one and its baby...go figure. Must be because there is a fence between her and the cow.


other sizes: small medium large original auto
previous | next
comment | share
Wm. Bates19-Mar-2005 17:57
I have a confession to make on this image. We decided to do this picture because I REFUSED to face the camera that day! I had developed what I thought to be the biggest blemish in the history of My life on the side of My nose. I had little to no faith in the miracle of make-up or photoshop when it came to hiding what I called "the barnacle". (laffin)

Having a fence between Me and "Matilda" gave Me the courage to feed and pet her. I have been chased by a momma cow more than once in My life so I have developed a healthy fear of them. I really do get extremely nervous when I encounter cattle on the trail while I am out hiking. It's one of the few times I really get scared when out in the wilderness.

Wanda
Wm. Bates01-Sep-2004 13:59
Dennis, no work on the background here or on the other photos. I keep my 10D in aperture priority for most of my photos and occasionally I use manual. I try to generally plan my photos and exposure when possible with the depth of field in mind. So, I set the aperture first to give the DOF I want. The camera figures out the shutter speed. If it is to low I can bump the ISO to raise the shutter speed without changing the aperture.

I also use little light or compositional tricks to separate the subject from the background. In this picture the cow and Wanda are set against a background that is beginning to be over exposed. When you combine that with the narrow depth of field you get a 3D feel. In yesterdays photo I went with an infinite depth of field but Wanda is in very bright light and her color tones are different enough to pop her from the darker and distant background.

Lastly I use some really nice lenses. The bokeh (quality of the blurred or out focus area) is really great on these lenses. Also the sharpness, the micro contrast quality and the color you get from a Canon L series lens is fantastic. They are a little heavy and a bit expensive but the first time you use one it is a real eye opener. Your photos just pop. I think Canon's lens lineup is one of the reasons that Canon is really beginning to dominate the pro market. Take a look at the photos herehttp://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=10105159 All of those white lens are Canon lenses.
Guest 01-Sep-2004 13:15
Very Good
Lou Giroud01-Sep-2004 07:41
Cattle are allmost allways female and you know that women do not like each other that much. Also, they are subjects to avoid when they are in a bad mood.
Nice Longhorn cow on this one. I love cattle and I never miss any occasion to get close to them.
Dennis Steinauer01-Sep-2004 05:54
Bill, your focus and dof on this (and most of your other shots) is incredible. Your subject(s) just pop out of the background. Is this just based on your lens f/l and aperture settings, or is there some PS work on the background?
Guest 01-Sep-2004 05:54
Wow, great capture!
Dennis Steinauer01-Sep-2004 05:51
Great shot! What an expression. Who says they don't have personalities? (cows, that is -- never been any question about Wanda)
Guest 01-Sep-2004 04:51
Last shot of August and that's no bull.

Thanks Bill and Wanda. You two have had a great month and I am glad you shared it with us.
Roy
Wesley Aston01-Sep-2004 04:36
where is the baby one though?
Wm. Bates01-Sep-2004 03:54
Actually, she is a very nice Texas Longhorn cow.
John Buffin01-Sep-2004 03:53
Great capture. Was he a nice bull?