I was downstairs, sitting down, up in front of this pc, but leaning on the morning, when I was disturbed by a banging in my head. I awakened from my day dreaming, realizing it was my wife, stamping on the floor of my daughter's old bedroom. Ever obedient, I dashed up stairs, pausing only to let the dog out, chat to the postman (who always has biscuits for the dogs on his person and his round) and to put on the kettle for yet another cup of coffee.
My wife pointed out the bedroom window, (but I already knew where it was) a young buck was chewing on the may. 'I'll try and take a shot, I said, and dashed back down, heading towards my shotgun cabinet, but grabbing the camera from its bag, since it's nearer, and marginally quieter in its operation... indeed the bag is always very silent.
The 20d is normally attached to the 24/70, my favourite lens. Was there time to change? No, my shoes were OK, and I was wearing no bright clothes (but I was not naked, so I did not need to put on more clothes, but had turned off the kettle, which I had put on earlier).
Which way to turn? A shot through a window? No! Reflections, movement, and the beast was only about 5 yards from the house. Outside, around the side, under the car port, find something to stand on (car bonnet - hood in USA English,afaik - not an option), lens over the top of the six foot gate.
Dog, where's the dog? "Come on Bonnie, go and see mummy... No, I'm not playing... get inside..... NOW!" - not too loud, don't slam the door.
Drat it. Can't get to the car port gate - a bl**dy car's in the way.
Right, turn left, leg it along the front path, quietly down the top of the retaining wall, crouch down, peer around the corner, slowly, slowly, don't wet yourself. He's still there, munching away.
Move back, out of line of sight, take a few deep breaths, because once that 20d shutter fires, he won't be there much longer.
Peep out again, stabilise, fire one!
Click, but no 'thwang'. Uh? damn 20d battery grip. Maybe check settings. No, ISO set OK, whatever 'H' means - ah! its an abreviation 'cos they don't want to admit 'how off' the iso values are. Just as I was thinking that I will set it to the magic green box, - 'thwang!!!' mirror reset. Of course, I wouldn't leave the lens cap on, I never do that. I can't have, since I'd spotted the dear deer through the viewfinder, and got the red square on him, not the bush, and I remember dropping the cap on the hall table on the way out, and thinking " I bet I can't remember where I left that, when I come back in", but then, as I opened the door, I heard it fall onto the floor..... and roll.
Anyway, to cut a short story long, I managed to get off 8 shots, and then I decided to get my tele lens. He heard the first mirror slap, but couldn't identify it, but I guess he knew it was not a Nikon. After the second or third, he had moved slightly, but then resumed munching. Hawthorn leaves are tasty.
I went indoors to get the tele lens, foot at the ready, to push Bonnie back inside. I crept into the dining room, thinking I may get a few shots through the window before changing the lens, but by the time I'd reached the window, he had gone (the time to reach the dining room window had little to do with the distance involved, but more in connection with what was going on there at that time).
If anyone has any ideas on how to process the original, to get something they think is worthwhile or even OK, then feel free. I will happily post the raw file.
Best wishes,
Rat
My wife pointed out the bedroom window, (but I already knew where it was) a young buck was chewing on the may. 'I'll try and take a shot, I said, and dashed back down, heading towards my shotgun cabinet, but grabbing the camera from its bag, since it's nearer, and marginally quieter in its operation... indeed the bag is always very silent.
The 20d is normally attached to the 24/70, my favourite lens. Was there time to change? No, my shoes were OK, and I was wearing no bright clothes (but I was not naked, so I did not need to put on more clothes, but had turned off the kettle, which I had put on earlier).
Which way to turn? A shot through a window? No! Reflections, movement, and the beast was only about 5 yards from the house. Outside, around the side, under the car port, find something to stand on (car bonnet - hood in USA English,afaik - not an option), lens over the top of the six foot gate.
Dog, where's the dog? "Come on Bonnie, go and see mummy... No, I'm not playing... get inside..... NOW!" - not too loud, don't slam the door.
Drat it. Can't get to the car port gate - a bl**dy car's in the way.
Right, turn left, leg it along the front path, quietly down the top of the retaining wall, crouch down, peer around the corner, slowly, slowly, don't wet yourself. He's still there, munching away.
Move back, out of line of sight, take a few deep breaths, because once that 20d shutter fires, he won't be there much longer.
Peep out again, stabilise, fire one!
Click, but no 'thwang'. Uh? damn 20d battery grip. Maybe check settings. No, ISO set OK, whatever 'H' means - ah! its an abreviation 'cos they don't want to admit 'how off' the iso values are. Just as I was thinking that I will set it to the magic green box, - 'thwang!!!' mirror reset. Of course, I wouldn't leave the lens cap on, I never do that. I can't have, since I'd spotted the dear deer through the viewfinder, and got the red square on him, not the bush, and I remember dropping the cap on the hall table on the way out, and thinking " I bet I can't remember where I left that, when I come back in", but then, as I opened the door, I heard it fall onto the floor..... and roll.
Anyway, to cut a short story long, I managed to get off 8 shots, and then I decided to get my tele lens. He heard the first mirror slap, but couldn't identify it, but I guess he knew it was not a Nikon. After the second or third, he had moved slightly, but then resumed munching. Hawthorn leaves are tasty.
I went indoors to get the tele lens, foot at the ready, to push Bonnie back inside. I crept into the dining room, thinking I may get a few shots through the window before changing the lens, but by the time I'd reached the window, he had gone (the time to reach the dining room window had little to do with the distance involved, but more in connection with what was going on there at that time).
If anyone has any ideas on how to process the original, to get something they think is worthwhile or even OK, then feel free. I will happily post the raw file.
Best wishes,
Rat
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