Rocky Mtn Elk captured by Z 9 / Z400f4.5

Fall was holding on tight but winter wants in causing the steam from the nearby hot springs to freeze on the back of the elk. Hoar frost covered the meadow, the trees, everything in a layer of ice that once the sun kissed it would disappear. After a few minutes with this loan bull I pulled my gloves out of my pocket and donned them. It was one of those mornings and this brought up in my mind what story do I want to convey about it as that directly determines the white balance I would select. I wanted the warm tones of the elk’s pelt but the blue of the cold ice. I was cold and wanted to say winter was coming while saying the warm blooded critter was readying for winter. Then there is the gentle warm tones of the grass that are the perfect backdrop of the hoar frost. Nothing, nothing in photography is clear cut. You can see how I went, more perception than reality which translates to Cloudy (6000k) + A1 = 6600k. I wanted the warmth of the pelt and saw the fog in the background enough of a cold gray to tell the rest of the story. I took this photo 2 weeks ago and I keep looking at it thinking warm or cold, cold or warm.

error: Content is protected !!