Larry Treadwell
October 2026 - The Lookout
About the Image(s)
D850 Nikkor 200-400 f4 lens @400 ISO 400, 1/200, f7.1
It was dawn in Cades Cove and as one of the first 5 vehicles allowed into the Cove I didn’t have to worry about crowds. Coming around a bend I found a meadow with about 7-10 young males enjoying breakfast on the dew-soaked meadow grasses. When I arrived, the sun had not yet lit the scene as I got out of the car and slowly worked between some trees trying to isolate this single deer. I preferred a more minimal subject than the entire herd. As I started to compose the image this single buck raised his head and fixed his attention on something in the distance. At the same moment, the sun broke the horizon and lit this single deer with low angle golden light. Only a few second later the whole meadow was bathed in the golden light and the entire mood changed. For the record I purposely selected f7.1 so as to keep some detail in the distance trees. Had I shot with the lens wide open (f4) the background trees would have been featureless and just a total blur. This was a maker’s choice.
11 comments posted
There are rare occasions when we come across an image that absolutely stops us in our tracks-and this is one of them. My review is simple Larry; your image is an example of why we take pictures…the light is spectacular and the image absolutely magical. Posted: 10/01/2026 18:48:07
OMG where has this month gone? Just realized I had not responded t your comment. I've always loved morning light, it just seems like it makes the whole world look and feel right. I remember seeing the deer in the meadow just before the world woke up and the scene was just so ordinary. Then the magic happened and I was so glad I was there. d The moment nature and your skills as a photographer come together is so fulfilling---it is magical.
You are exactly right. Posted: 10/22/2026 23:35:59
You are exactly right. Posted: 10/22/2026 23:35:59
Hi Larry,
I agree with Butch, this is a WOW image, and one that calms the soul! The first thing that strikes me is the soft warm light on the front of the buck and the quiet I feel when I look at the image in its entirety. The warm tones of the buck against the complementary green tones of the background work with the light to really bring out the subject. The soft brown velvet on the antlers gives us context for season and the size of the antlers in proportion to the body, along with the posture makes me think this is a young buck. I would consider a crop on the right to remove the two distractions (pole and white bark tree) as well as a small crop from the bottom. I might also darken the foreground grass a touch to enhance the beautiful light on the deer. Really beautiful image, Larry! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:48:40
I agree with Butch, this is a WOW image, and one that calms the soul! The first thing that strikes me is the soft warm light on the front of the buck and the quiet I feel when I look at the image in its entirety. The warm tones of the buck against the complementary green tones of the background work with the light to really bring out the subject. The soft brown velvet on the antlers gives us context for season and the size of the antlers in proportion to the body, along with the posture makes me think this is a young buck. I would consider a crop on the right to remove the two distractions (pole and white bark tree) as well as a small crop from the bottom. I might also darken the foreground grass a touch to enhance the beautiful light on the deer. Really beautiful image, Larry! Posted: 10/06/2026 01:48:40
Thanks Ann, I agree with your thoughts. I like golden morning light, but I really when the light is both golden and directional--it just takes things to a different level.
I agree about that tree on the right. It was MUCH bright originally so I tones it down. I was going to crop it out but I didn't like the deer being to close to the right edge. The tre was so bright that I kept telling myself it was better when tones down. Thanks for pointing out that I was still wrong. I needed that extra voice whispering in my ear. Posted: 10/22/2026 23:42:03
I agree about that tree on the right. It was MUCH bright originally so I tones it down. I was going to crop it out but I didn't like the deer being to close to the right edge. The tre was so bright that I kept telling myself it was better when tones down. Thanks for pointing out that I was still wrong. I needed that extra voice whispering in my ear. Posted: 10/22/2026 23:42:03
Larry,
Hard to say anything more than what Butch nd Ann said! Beautiful shot, great light!! About the only other thing I could note is that it breaks the rule about the horizon line should not cut through the animal, but in this case, so what! Art supersedes rules!! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:48:19
Hard to say anything more than what Butch nd Ann said! Beautiful shot, great light!! About the only other thing I could note is that it breaks the rule about the horizon line should not cut through the animal, but in this case, so what! Art supersedes rules!! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:48:19
Thanks David I opted for the mood and the emotion and just said to heck with the rules. They can be broken--right? Posted: 10/22/2026 23:43:46
These special light moments are why we get out early and stay out late! It makes all the difference between a documentary image and one that's very special.
The buck's alert posture and pose with separation between the legs work well.
Your choice of f/stop to keep some detail in the trees helps to give this a sense of place, more of a story to the image. There's a fine line to walk there. Too much detail and the background competes too much for attention.
Beautiful image. Posted: 10/21/2026 19:02:01
The buck's alert posture and pose with separation between the legs work well.
Your choice of f/stop to keep some detail in the trees helps to give this a sense of place, more of a story to the image. There's a fine line to walk there. Too much detail and the background competes too much for attention.
Beautiful image. Posted: 10/21/2026 19:02:01
I really like your opening comment--the difference between documentary and special. Yep, that sums it up pretty well.
So glad to hear I walked that fine line with the background--there was not much time, but I did put thought into that. And I remember walking a bit to the left to get that separation in the front legs. Glad you noticed.
Thanks Posted: 10/22/2026 23:47:31
So glad to hear I walked that fine line with the background--there was not much time, but I did put thought into that. And I remember walking a bit to the left to get that separation in the front legs. Glad you noticed.
Thanks Posted: 10/22/2026 23:47:31
I like this one. Perfectly placed deer and horizon with the sun at the face and the background blurry enough to keep things separate. Nice. Posted: 10/21/2026 21:36:31
Thanks Donald--it was a special moment and one that the re3sult met my expectations. Posted: 10/22/2026 23:50:02
What a stunning photo Larry!
Nothing beets magical light! You were there at exactly the right time to catch that soft golden light falling on your subject.
I love these environmental nature photos, telling you about the animal and the environment they live in. Your fstop selection was spot on.
Powerful use of negative space , well done! Posted: 10/26/2026 08:04:56
Nothing beets magical light! You were there at exactly the right time to catch that soft golden light falling on your subject.
I love these environmental nature photos, telling you about the animal and the environment they live in. Your fstop selection was spot on.
Powerful use of negative space , well done! Posted: 10/26/2026 08:04:56