James Nelson
January 2026 - Bull Moose Breakfast
About the Image(s)
Nikon Z8 and 100-400 mm lens at 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/200, ISO 4000 with +0.7 exposure
I was sitting on a hillside near the road watch a group eating in the distance. This animal approached within about 50 yards as he worked his way across the field. With little action, it is not likely to do well in competition but I was attracted to this shot by the early morning colors.
Denoise in DxO mark, masked the subject in LR and opened exposure on the shadow side fur and slight increase in sharpness. I increased contrast in the background to bring out the shape in the hills. Croped to get the aspect ratio.
3 comments posted
Deborah Albert
I absolutely love this shot. My only suggestions would be to perhaps warm the moose just a tad and brighten the eye area. Posted: 01/11/2026 17:38:11
Lovely image. Excellent positioning of the animal. bit off-center with the head pointed into the image. Surreal background adds to the mystique of the scene. I am impressed that at 400/f5.6 you got the separation between the subject and the background.
I would not change anything in image. I only wonder if it would be even better if you burn the highlights on the antler, so that the viewer's eye goes to the head first and then to the antler. That's a bit of nit-picking though. Posted: 01/18/2026 21:14:57
I would not change anything in image. I only wonder if it would be even better if you burn the highlights on the antler, so that the viewer's eye goes to the head first and then to the antler. That's a bit of nit-picking though. Posted: 01/18/2026 21:14:57
James Nelson
It was a long ways from the subject to the trees allowing the soft background. Good thought on the bright antler. Posted: 01/19/2026 18:03:00