Who likes big bucks and rams?

[popeshawnpaul]

You could make that shot with about $500 worth of equipment.  I think it's more about getting out and doing what you love.  For me that is photography and I spend a lot of time at it just like hunting and fishing. 

Thanks bow-n-head

[EastWaViking]

Pope...you've probably answered this question a thousand times, but what camera do you use?
You have a lot of great shots!

[popeshawnpaul]

Canon 40D.  I think they go for about $700.  Not too expensive.

[popeshawnpaul]

I think I've posted this one before but it's one of my favorites.  I'll have to redo this photo.  It looks ovesharpened to me. 

[robodad]

I'll have to redo this photo.  It looks ovesharpened to me. 

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking, it really makes it hard to even look at !!! 
 

[Tom Reichner]

Hello, Shawn!

What a wonderful body of work!  I'm new to this site, and therefore have never seen these images before.  The sheep images are some of the nicest I've seen, and I've seen many, many sheep photos. 

I've spent quite a bit of time up high photographing sheep, but I've never had the good fortune to find the full-curl-plus, trophy caliber rams that you feature here.  I think that for every massive B&C class ram, there are about a hundred good, mature rams.  So you've really put your time in to find rams like this.  Or else you're very lucky.  But then again, isn't it funny how some guys just seem to get lucky all the time?  Makes me think it isn't just luck. 

BTW, when were the bulk of your trophy bighorn photos taken - how recently?

-Tom

[popeshawnpaul]

I've been taking big sheep photos for 15 years since high school.  It's always been my passion.  Most of my early work is in film and never sees the light of day.  I started shooting digital 3 years ago and most of my ram shots on here are from the last 3 years.  Montana has a lot of big sheep as well as Canada so I focus on these areas.  The last ram shot is from the National Bison Range in Montana.  Washington has a few big rams too...

People think they can just drive up to a spot, snap a couple pictures and leave.  It's not like that.  Most of my shots I have to hike a ways for.  I spent 10 days in ram country last year during the rut in November just to get some of these shots...  Most people would be bored after a couple days so it takes patience to get some of these shots as I'm sure you are aware.  Others don't realize this though.  When I spend 5 days waiting for a shot and finally snap it I get the feeling like I hunted the animal and took it.  I get to take it home with me and keep the memories forever.  Good times.

Thanks for the kind words.  It's always good to get a compliment from a guy who knows what he is doing.

[Pathfinder101]

That's a great shot Pope.  Your dedication shows.

[Hillbilly270]

the third picture up from the bottom with the 4 rams.  How the hell do you figure which one to shoot? 

[popeshawnpaul]

I was messing around with a few photos today and decided to share a few.  That one ram is really sick huh? 

[BC CHASER]

That last one looks to be on his death bed.

[Elkric]

LOVE that second shot.   Ridiculously good.  wow

[Pathfinder101]

LOVE that second shot.   Ridiculously good.  wow

 
I think that is the one I would use for my avatar...

That sick ram looks like he's part camel...  Any idea what was wrong with him?

[BLKBEARKLR]

awesome pictures.

Looks like that third one is starving to death, wonder if his stomach flipped on him??

[whacker1]

Looks like that third one is starving to death, wonder if his stomach flipped on him??

I think all the nourishment and growth is going directly into his gonads.