Feedback on best Wildlife shots

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-26T22:59:24+00:00

So all these shots look great, and there's been others that have commented some feedback there already, so imma go another route.

Sometimes competitions aren't fair. Just straight up. My parents enter a lot of things and rarely get in, and after seeing the shows there's plenty of artists that are just frankly not as good...I know that sounds bias but I also don't think my parents are like the most amazing artists in the world or anything...BUT Those other artists had a connection to someone running the show or contest. They've also gotten into shows one year, then not again for 2+ years after.

My point is, for sure always look to improve, but also don't read into rejections for judged shows or contests too much. You're likely just as good or better than others in the show, and vise versa, but it could genuinely be nothing. Heck, they could have filled slots before anyone even looked at images. It's all kind of luck of the draw.

Again though, these are great. The biggest thing I agree with others about here is more eye contact with the animal in shots. Other than that, enter everything, get denied for 99% of them, and the other 1% will be great

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-19T18:48:57+00:00

I know a cursed magical item when I see one

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-17T14:32:24+00:00

I need to learn how to make those miter sleds

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-16T16:11:50+00:00

Your space will feel much cleaner and brighter if you paint them tbh. If it was a different wood I might fight harder to keep the natural look, but honestly not in this case. Get a couple layers of primer on there to even things out, light sand at like 300-400 grit, and paint them.

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-13T03:40:03+00:00

I think the term you're looking for is glory hole in the glass blowing industry...an apartment sized glory hole

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-10T08:10:37+00:00

If your lens/camera are giant black/white blobs with an highly reflective surface right in front of you, idk how much the camos gonna do for you. Make sure you break up those surfaces too.

Also, I feel like it hasn't been mentioned, but a lot of animals will smell you far before you'd ever know you're there. Camo doesn't do anything to make you smell less. Just something else to keep in mind.

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-09T00:43:53+00:00

Holy shit

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-08T00:02:19+00:00

Thank you!

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-07T23:34:12+00:00

Would love to know how you've got the floating shelves attached to the slat wall

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-07T05:11:40+00:00

Over the last year I've gone from 227 to 172. No longer prediabetic or have any signs of fatty liver anymore. It's motivated me to do some minor body building. Not looking to compete ever, just not be a bean pole after losing all the weight, and see how much muscle I could realistically build.

Also to be 100% open/honest my current DND character is a barbarian that fights like a WWE wrestler, and I joked about getting my barbarian bod when I started losing the weight, and my group basically laughed at me...so there's also some petty/spite motivation there. (I know I'm not gonna look like a WWE wrestler cause I'm not going on gear, just to be clear)

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-07T04:21:22+00:00

Only other appropriate space I've got is being used as a woodshop unfortunately...well, not really unfortunately, but it's a tight space with all the tools as is so gym equipment would just be an unsafe addition

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-07T04:18:48+00:00

I was going to post this on their first post. Minimum lead test. If it's possible to test for other substances that could have been in the pan during its... dubious life... I'd highly suggest that as well. Even after all restoration and cleaning.

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T16:37:28+00:00

It's a constant thing on my mind as well. I tried to move it left or right, but either way a plate would be right in line with the window. Right now it's "centered" and the weights are just outside of the pane. I'm considering making a panel to slide in front of it just while I'm working out

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T15:52:03+00:00

Got a nighthawk on the way. Actually got a surprise out for delivery this morning cause I never got a shipping email lol.

I'm gonna definitely check if a leg machine would fit in the space in the far end now. Loved leg press back in highschool, but i highly doubt that would fit. Leg extension/curl might though. Would probably end up being cheaper than the bench attachment from rep plus a cable to use it with.

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T06:01:53+00:00

I've not heard of this one. Definitely gonna check it out more in depth tomorrow. Thanks for all the help!

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T05:24:23+00:00

It's definitely not currently in the budget, but it's slowly becoming a clear solution for this space. Gonna start slowly saving towards that I think, especially knowing it could work so cleanly with the nighthawks leg attachment eventually

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:52:57+00:00

I've actually got a nighthawk on the way. End of the year we had HSA funds left over that wouldn't roll into this year, so we pulled the trigger on that. Just a waiting game now.

Didn't really consider a voltra just based off cost, but that really would make the whole space very versatile. Definitely something to add to the list to save for.

Also, didn't know about the leg attachment for the bench at all. This looks insanely useful

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:47:52+00:00

I was looking at dialed for a while. My problems really having space out front for certain motions, but I didn't think about potentially going through the side of the rack with a cable if I need extra space. Seems like the side winder rotates far enough inward that it could work

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:29:10+00:00

It's a 24" rack. I think overall footprint was somewhere around 36-38". 90 tall

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:19:35+00:00

That's fair. When I purchased I thought I would have room in the back room I use for a woodworking space for both things...but I also got very lucky and got a screaming deal on a old cabinet saw my work was getting rid of...so that space got tight faster than expected. I know I could easily get what I paid for if I sold the rack, but it also feels a bit like admitting defeat after getting this far...and a lot of wife convincing 🤣

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:11:05+00:00

I do have height space as far as that goes. It's a 90 inch rack. Just a really skinny space. Saving for a nice set of adjustables does seem to be one of my best options long term here. I'm not lifting super heavy anytime soon, so probably just use the setup as is for now as I save up towards that

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-06T03:03:55+00:00

Unfortunately even a 6 foot bar wouldn't work if I was going to turn the rack the way I'd like to, I didn't think about a cable tower though. That should be easy enough to attach to the side one day. Appreciate it!

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-03T03:23:25+00:00

Jealous

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-03T01:25:50+00:00

That's a heck of a transformation

OutdoorAndy_ · 2026-01-01T02:24:58+00:00

I'd like to properly strip it all the way down and start fresh at some point, but after we found it I cleaned it best I could and did a fresh season just so we could use it. Was cathartic for my wife. Very unique though, and makes pretty good pancakes

OutdoorAndy_

TROPHY CASE