Elk from RMNP

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I took this shot in January 2019 on a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. I am thinking of printing this so I was looking for some critique before doing so. Also, what have you found is the best medium to print wildlife shots on?

Nikon D500
Nikkor 200-500 mm f/5.6
290 mm
1/1000 sec
f/5.6
ISO 560

elk.jpg
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I also took this shot, which I am not planning on printing, but figured I would include in the post anyway:

Nikon D500
Nikkor 200-500 mm f/5.6
220 mm
1/1000 sec
f/5.6
ISO 560

elk2.jpg
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I think they are both nice photos.
I am big on Juniper baryta rag. good blacks, deep color with a smooth lightly textured finish but I think something glossy will give more sharpness/clarity for this. Maybe a metal print on chromaluxe.
 
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I am partial to a smooth matte paper like Epson hot press bright. I love detail and the smoothness reveals it very nicely while not adding any texture or reflection. Looks like you have plenty of nice crisp detail in the first shot. Really comes down to personal taste though. Perhaps lower the highlights a little?
 
They are both great shots....for me, actually I might prefer the second though. I normally don't prefer canvas, but these have potential on that media I think.
 
I also prefer the second shot. Maybe the highlights can be knocked down just a bit? The first image is cropped a little tight for my tastes and doesn't give such a nice view of the symmetry of the rack as the second shot does.
 
I re-edit both pictures from the beginning:

elk-2.jpg
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Do you like the wider view or the crop that was in the original post?

elk-1.jpg
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I’m with Hut, I like the trees. However In my opinion the the light is a bit harsh. I wonder if the highlights could be brought down some. I would also do a little trial and error with a vignette from the radial tool (if Lightroom) and maybe bring his rear foot and the base of the trees away from the edge, if it’s cropped along the bottom. This may help frame the elk, and separate him from the background just a little. I like his regal pose and the inclusion of habitat here,
 
I think the tree is awesome! I like to see some habitat
I’m with Hut, I like the trees. However In my opinion the the light is a bit harsh. I wonder if the highlights could be brought down some. I would also do a little trial and error with a vignette from the radial tool (if Lightroom) and maybe bring his rear foot and the base of the trees away from the edge, if it’s cropped along the bottom. This may help frame the elk, and separate him from the background just a little. I like his regal pose and the inclusion of habitat here,

Thank you for your input and I'm sorry I'm only responding now. I had put a radial filter on it but I went back and re-did it. Unfortunately, the bottom of the picture is not cropped so there's nothing I can do about that.

elk-1.jpg
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I would print the full body one...much better display image than head only. The bottom is a slight issue and I would darken the trees... it to me it’s still way better.
 
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