Bailey Head Chinstrap Blur

Just got back from a great Southern Oceans voyage: the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens, the 2X III TC, and the EOS-5D MII (with a 3-stop ND on the front of the lens). ISO 200. Evaluative metering +1 stop off the scene before the wave broke: 1/8 sec. at f/13 confirmed by blinkies/histogram check and set manually.

Chinstrap Penguins at Bailey Head, Antarctica. This landing was especially rewarding as I had been sitting in a zodiac 100 yards off shore on my 2007 trip when the zodiac in front of mine swamped and the captain of the ship called off the landing.... See more at Home From the Southern Oceans Trip.

Don't be shy; all honest comments and critiques welcome.

Hi Artie. It sounds like it was a wonderful trip. I'm a little nervous about this critique but, as much as I do love the penguin blur, I think the blur on the cliff in the background detracts from it a little bit.

Thanks Ian. No need to be nervous. You can't do better than honest. I was actually surprised how sharp the cliffs were--I do not think that I was panning much for this one.

Glad you were able to land this time, Artie. I really like the energy and surf action. It has a neat "in the water" perspective.

Hi Arthur, very nice blur. Love the water color, but the best part of this whole image for me is the penguin in the lower left...love the open bill pose. It is a great anchor for that corner. :S3:

Artie,

Greetings. Really like the action in the water & the color contrast. I feel a need for a slight ccw rotation. d

Cheers,

-Michael-

It really conveys the frenzied action of these birds as they enter the water in groups. I've only ever seen it in National Geographic channel. Must be something to see it in person.

I like the image as is, but after seeing the above post, I have to agree that a little CCR would work. Thanks for sharing image

Thanks all. Andrew, I like that penguin but not the one above it and slightly to the left... As for the need for some CCW rotation, the beach has a huge slope--that's what makes landing there so treacherous. If you look at the small stretch of ocean in the upper right you will note that it is perfectly square to the world. It was my choice to leave it that way. I did use a bubble level.

The image here gives you an idea of the problems of landing--everyone in the photo is staff....

Artie, I like the color tones and the amount of blur. The scene is wonderful. It must have been amazing to see. I would have loved to have photographed them coming and going. The only think I might do is evict the halo on the right part of the cliff. Wow-the boat landing looks dangerous, good thing you didn't have to go in the water and help the crew:S3:

PS- Welcome home.

Great to see you back, Artie. You have captured an amazing blur... with frenzied movement of those chinstraps in white water! Wonderful colors! Looking forward to more!

Hi Artie;

An awesome photo that says it all. I would be delighted to capture a photo with so much energy and the raw nature of the advent

Thanks for sharing your exciting adventure with us.

Gus.