4th place Opposing Views* by Denise Wall by Canon DSLR Challenge

Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Canon SLR Challenges - FAQ >> CSLR - Best of... >> Best of 2003 > 4th place Opposing Views* by Denise Wall


06-DEC-2003	Denise Wall

Kate takes on an obstinate young ram. This was the last civil moment before the scuffle.

other sizes: small medium original auto

Please do not delete, update, or otherwise edit others' entries
* Submitter retains all copyrights *

Denise Wall		15-Dec-2003 15:13
Mark and Teapot, Thanks for your comments. Mark, Yes, the border collies win almost without exception. In this case, he did butt Kate a second or so after this shot but she came right back with authority and made him go on like he was supposed to. Teapot, Since breeding season started, this ram has been very confrontational whenever the dogs needed to move the sheep. They just don't like anyone messing with "their" ewes during this time. I didn't set this up but I needed to move the sheep and thought it might happen naturally so I took my camera.

Teapot		15-Dec-2003 13:03
Denise, this is a great shot. Focus is good, light is good and the expressions are superb. Did you have to wait long to get the face-off or did you know it would happen?

Mark Hensley		13-Dec-2003 01:52
Hi Denise, Given a shot like this I don't think you could have asked for much better lighting. Shots like this don't happen everyday, ok maybe the they do if you own sheep and collies. The eye to eye stare of these two oppposites is almost scary. You have to wonder who will blink first. I can only assume the collie wins most of the time. Great shot. Mark Hensley

Canon DSLR Challenge		11-Dec-2003 20:15
Thank you, Mark. I was happy to get the focus right at the right moment. I wish the lighting was more even but this was a shot of a naturally occurring incident in an uncontrolled outdoor setting. Denise

Canon DSLR Challenge		11-Dec-2003 03:33
Denise: you could not have more perfectly focused the viewers attention on your two subjects in this image. I really enjoy the opposing figures looking right at each other! Mark J

Denise Wall		08-Dec-2003 14:47
Hi Victor, The ram is a Cheviot/Dorsett cross and the ewes mostly commercial whiteface mixed breed. The crossbreeds are hardier so I pick a different breed of ram each year depending on what it looks like I need. The Cheviots are very hardy but their temperaments are not easy. They're very flighty and can be aggressive during breeding (the rams) and lambing (the ewes) season.

Victor		08-Dec-2003 10:38
I notice the ram in the foreground has a black nose, whereas the nose in the background is pink. Are these different breeds, ages, or what?

Denise Wall		08-Dec-2003 03:12
Thanks, Ron. Rob, thanks for your comments. I may not have captured it well but trust me there was conflict. The rams can get very aggressive towards the dogs during breeding season.

Guest		07-Dec-2003 23:35
I like this image although I don't see conflict, more like an exchange of authority. The lighting on the dog is very nice with good sharpness, would like to say the same for the ram but the light is not total. A good momement captured Rob

Ron Lutz II		07-Dec-2003 03:54
LOL I love the tension between these two.

Denise Wall		07-Dec-2003 02:48
Thanks, Scott. I figured I'd better get my ram/border collie showdown shot up first before anybody else got theirs up :-) Denise

Scott Hopkins		07-Dec-2003 02:20
Yet another great shot....I just love the stare down, awesome job.