Forlorn?

[Rachel Hollander]

I know I'm anthropomorphizing but this puffin just looked a little forlorn to me but I like the almost 3D effect to this image. S/he was less than 2 meters away.

Canon 7D
70-200 II @ 145mm
1/4000
f7.1
ISO 400
EC -1.0
HH from blind on Machias Seal Island, Levels, curves, selective dodging and burning, cleaned up the bg, cropped for comp and sharpened in CS5.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[Jeff Dyck]

Fantastic Rachel! The title is perfect - it is remarkable how we naturally anthropomorphise many of the birds we photograph, but there is just something about this puffin's eyes or that little "frown" of plummage on his chin that instantly convey that feeling of loneliness to me too. Wonderful feather detail & IQ. Must have been very exciting shooting at such close range.

[Marina Scarr]

Aptly titled. Sharp where it needs to be with nice details. These birds sure do have a lot of characters, and you have managed to capture it well here.

[Andrew Merwin]

Great techs & detail Rachel. I like seeing the different colors on the face. There appears to be a color cast below the puffin's bill on its breast. Do you know what it is?

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks very much Jeff, Marina and Andrew. Andrew - I'm not sure I'm seeing what you're seeing (what color is the cast?). It could be the shadow from the bill or sometimes you get a slight reflected color from their bright feet.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Andrew Merwin]

Andrew - I'm not sure I'm seeing what you're seeing (what color is the cast?). It could be the shadow from the bill or sometimes you get a slight reflected color from their bright feet.

Thanks again,
Rachel

Thats it! — reflection from the feet. Thanks for the explanation.

[Satish Ranadive]

Very sweet image with great details and lovely composition.Love the great details in black and whites,colors and lights.

[jack williamson]

Sure looks sad to me. This is extremely sharp in the right places. BG is excellent.

Jack

[Nick Palmieri]

Great detail. This is very nice and has a very strong storyline.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

This is my favorite of the series, Rachel. Nice exposure, perfect DOF, comp, sharpness and details. Bg is great and I love the title. Please keep them coming.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture Rachel,sharp in the right places.thanks.

[Dave Leroy]

Forlorn or possibly professor-like with hands folded behind back, gently leaning over and studying the student.
Very well done. Lovely colors and details. I really like the pose with body leaning one way and head the other. Looks like fun.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent portrait, love the light and details. good use of DOF

[Mark Wiseman]

Hi Rachel,
Fantastic image and one I would be proud to have in my collection, beautiful. What a beautiful background.
TFS and best wishes,
Mark.

[John Ippolito]

Beautifully captured, Rachel. Great DOF, sharpness, light, pose, and BG. Love it.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Excellent image, beautifully detailed and the DOF would appear to be just about ideal.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone for the very kind comments, they are much appreciated.

Rachel

[PhilCook]

Virtually leaping out of my screen...outstanding !

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Phil