The coming - Sven Začek - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2011

2011: Creative Visions - Highly Commended

Sven Začek Enlarge image The coming

Sven Začek (Estonia)

The coming

From time to time, Sven returns to his childhood home in Võrumaa, south Estonia, to photograph the very first subject he took pictures of - roe deer. The past two winters in Estonia have been very severe, and Sven wanted to illustrate the harsh conditions the deer have had to endure. On this day, he located a small herd sheltering at the bottom of a hill during a fall of snow, dug himself a snow hide and sat tight to watch. It was already well below freezing and getting dark. But the strange light was what Sven wanted, giving the scene an almost mystical feel. Hearing the crunch of snow of an approaching animal, he focused on the horizon, catching the moment that the stranger appeared over the hill.

Nikon D3S + 400mm f2.8 lens + TC-14E II converter; 1/250 sec at f4; ISO 2000; Gitzo tripod + Wimberley head.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.