Which photo do you like better?

Last weekend a few friends and I were out in the badlands of Alberta to chase mule deer. Even though it takes 3-4 years to draw a buck tag in this zone, my mind was set on quick success and filling the freezer. The area we hunted produces mule deer bucks that can score 200 inches, but finding one requires patience, dedication and luck. Because of the Cadomin adventure coming up later this month, I was pressed for time. A terrible way to approach a hunt, I know, but after a few fun but fruitless (in terms of acquiring venison) hunts with the bow, it was all about connecting with a buck or a doe expediently at the start of rifle season.

The Red Gods did indeed throw me a bone, and I managed to shoot a buck late in the morning of the first day. A nice buck, for other areas maybe even a decent buck, but for here 'just a buck'. At first, I didn't even want to take the traditional hero shot, and I focused on some alternative angles. The first photo below got mixed responses, including from my dad who said "I didn't like that photo on Facebook very much, son". Others however appreciated the attempt to show the dead animal in a different setting.

The second photo is the traditional 'hunter grinning over dead animal' shot, which I felt was unnecessary, given that on that particular day not a lot of hunting skill was involved. I took it anyway, and a number of people asked for it, after seeing the top photo.

I think hunting photography has been evolving quite rapidly in recent years, with a lot more attention to detail, emotion and artistic expression, beyond the straight-up documentation of landscapes, people, camps and trophies. As a photographer I certainly feel challenged (in a good way) to try and add something special to my images, and I have fun doing it. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts below.