Hey group, I think we should get a new group banner photo. So how about in the comments of this post you submit one of your images and based on the up votes we can decide what one gets picked.
*** As you can see if you're browsing on a computer, the banner is stretched quite wide and not very tall. Not all images are going to look good here. The dimensions of the image are 1100 x 450 pixels. Keep this in mind when submitting here. Bonus points if you submit your image already cropped to that size so it's easy to tell if it's a good fit. Thanks!
*** Also if you submit a photo, I want to see you vote on some others here too! If you're one of the first people to comment then check back in later.
Sounds like a good idea, some really good photos have been posted over the last year here.
I vote for "You Shall Not Pass" photo by Bodkin's Best Photography
Thanks for the nomination!
1099x412
Sandhill Cranes 1100x450
Bunny in the bushes 😁
Sally Lightfoot crab.
It's a great idea to change up the banner photo from time to time; perhaps seasonally. Bringing different banner photos in on a regular basis will help more people get involved!
This is what I got.
I would like to submit these three images for consideration. They have already been cropped to the mentioned dimensions.
Top one is what my vote is for. Great banner image!
Perhaps this one?
That would be a very nice banner image, if you could flip it horizontally so that the bear is to the right side of the screen facing slightly left, and if it could be re-formatted to 1100:450 without the bear looking awkward.
Unfortunately the cropping does cause the loss of either the back arch or the paws.
Yes, my thinking exactly. This just goes to show that just because an image is a great image, doesn't mean that it would make a good banner image.
If forced to make this bear image work, then I would chop that back arch off a lot more than you did and show the paws completely , along with a little bit of rock below the paws. The paws are where it's at! They are very interesting, while the back arch isn't really very important to the image and can be chopped off without losing any visual interest.
Perhaps if you did some heavy Photoshopping ...... You could add a lot of canvas to the left side of the frame, and then maybe use "content aware" to fill that canvas with a computer-generated continuation of the rocky creekbed? I don't know; haven't ever used Photoshop like that myself, but if you really wanted to make this appropriate for an 1100:450 aspect ratio, that would be one way to go about it.
I'm a lightroom only kinda guy, so I wouldn't know where to start.
If anyone else wanted to take a stab at it, fill your boots.
If you'll allow me to work with your image, I can do pretty much what Tom was suggesting. Instead of content aware, a person can just stretch the left side after flipping it.
Here's another one to consider. A Bighorn Ram environmental portrait, taken in Montana.
Red-tailed hawk?
Photo with the most votes this upcoming weekend will be the banner
Here is a hermit thrush sitting pretty for your consideration.
Coyote
If you flip this so he is facing the banner title - winner. As is, you will cover the subject with the banner text ad leave your negative space as the visible image. I hope you flip it! You'll have me vote.
Bald Eagle
As suggested, the shot has been flipped.
What I love most about this image is that the Coyote is such a robust individual! What a wonderful specimen, with his very full winter pelage, deep chest, and overall very muscular build. I have little doubt that if you gathered together 100 Coyotes at random, this guy would stand out like a champion! Congrats on capturing such a good image of such a great animal!
Thanks. This shot was taken in Theodore Roosevelt NP. This coyote allowed me to go into the field with him for more than 15 minutes while he hunted. I got a lot of good shots of him.
Dave,
I was in Theodore Roosevelt N.P. a year and a half ago, and saw many Coyotes there. I did see one that had very striking coloration on the face and chest, but never did I see one that was built as magnificently as the one you photographed. He's like a canine version of a body-builder!
We live in Minnesota. At least once a year, we do a Badlands, Custer state park, Wind Cave np, Black Hills, TRNP loop. Haven't been disappointed yet. The wildlife during the rut is fantastic.
They are fantastic places! Some years I get there once, some years I get there two or three times, and some years I just can't make it at all. That area is only about 900 miles from me, so I can usually get there in one long day of driving. How 'bout you? Are you in eastern MN, or western MN?
Twin Cities. From my front door, it's 560 mile to either The Badlands or to TRNP. We get there in 8 hours.
That must be so nice! An 8 hour drive makes for a very manageable one-day trip. heck, if you leave at sunup, you can still get there in plenty of time to shoot the evening golden hour! How sweet is that?!
I am thinking of your location and all of the great wildlife and bird opportunities that are not too far from you.
Do you happen to go to Ohio for the Warbler migration in May?
Have you gone to Michigan for the truly albino Whitetail doe that is there?
How about the Ruffed Grouse in the big woods of northern Minnesota? I hear you even have some Spruce Grouse in the northernmost part of your state - have you ever photographed any of them?
I think that where you live is a very opportune spot for wildlife photography, and am very interested in what all you have found there in your region of the U.S.!
North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are the main hunting grounds for photos. Glacier NP is the jewel of the north in my book. I love that park. Yellowstone is just too crowded, but the Tetons are great.
I never really got into the small bird shooting. I'd rather go after the birds of prey. Owls, hawks and eagles. Trumpeter swans are standard fair in the winter months.
The shorter the drive, the happier I am.
I've gone to the bog (Sax Zim Bog) a few times looking for great grey's and northern hawk owls, but have come up empty.
I Haven't tried for any grouse, but have seen some sharp tails when in the badlands and TRNP.
There was an albino buck in Wisconsin about 15-20 years ago, but some hunter had to shoot it. The mount was in a barn the area.
We have a Piebald in a local park. He has to be the most photographed deer in the country.
The critter that eludes me the most are foxes. I can't find em, and when I do, I'm driving 60 mph in traffic.
Our almost 3 year old, Pie.
That is a gorgeous buck! Makes me want to jump in my car right now and zoom off to MN to find him! Wouldn't he look spectacular in the snow?!!!
I especially like that he has those blue eyes ..... so unique for a Whitetail!
wish I could vote more then once
Thanks Ruth.
Understandably a little artsy for this group. These black skimmers were like an old married couple dancing in sync without thought.
I really like the image, Ruth. Reminds me of a term I heard often in art class ..... "repetition of form".
Oyster Catchers ....... hmmmmmmm. Do you think that perhaps they may be Black Skimmers?
Without a doubt. Just a slip there!
I was checking out your profile here. See you're in New Jersey. Cool! Last year I was back east for a few months at this time of year, and had some great days photographing sea ducks in New Jersey, at the Barnegat Jetty. Have you ever gone there to photograph the sea ducks in the winter?
It's my home turf. Winter ducks are the best part of winter here! I just posted a couple to share the crazy color of these cool season gems.
Zebra Closeup: 1100 x 450
Congrats Tom! Beautiful work.
Ryan - Thanks for this opportunity. A great idea for a great group!
Congrats Tom Reichner on being selected. As an added bonus you've won any one Fstoppers full-length tutorial of your choosing. I'll message you.