Theme - Calling Puffin Duet

[Rachel Hollander]

Another taken on Machias Seal Island.

Canon 7D
100-400 @ 150mm
1/1250
f9
ISO 400
EC -.33
HH from blind, levels, curves, selective color, selective dodging and burning, NR on bg, cropped for comp and straightened, sharpened in CS5.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[gail bisson]

Rachel,
This is awesome! I love the poses.
Some may suggest cropping to get rid of the sky and I think both options would be excellent.
I am amazed at how well you were able to control whites and blacks in this light.
I think I may have to go there!
Several years ago, my best friends' son worked on the island as a biologist and invited us for an overnight stay but I said no. That was in my pre-bird photography days and now how I wish I could take him up on his offer as I could be there at first light.
Gail

[Sidharth Kodikal]

This is really nice, Rachel. They look like two old-timers in a philosophical discussion with their hands behind backs :)
Exposure, poses are both very good. Interaction is superb.
There's some PP stuff going on around the birds, especially the one on the left, noticeable by the left food and along the back.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Pretty cool birds and I would love a chance to see them. I like the calling poses and the rock. I am on the fence about cropping below the water line or not.

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool interaction.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rachel, great double, and both with cool poses. You have exposed the puffins very well, and I like how both are in focus and sharp. Comp wise, I would crop away the sky, and place the puffins centrally. I see something funny around their bills. Looks like you got your monies worth on this trip. Im enjoying the different images you have posted.

[christopher galeski]

nice image Rachel,good exposure,like thepose,nice detail,agree on cropping the sky.thanks.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent interaction shot, Rachel. Great looking and perfectly exposed birds and I like to see the ocean and the horizon in the background.

[Grace Scalzo]

Personally, I think that the story here is the interaction between the birds, and for that reason, the sky could go. It is causing my attention to stray. I suspect that the PP issues have to do with selecting in order to deal with the bg noise. I always refine my edges outward, smooth and feather to avoid this effect.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. They are very much appreciated. I agree the shot works both with the bit of sky and also without it, not sure which I prefer yet.

Sidharth and Stuart - I think the problems you are seeing are a result of too much sharpening for web. I forgot to dial back the sharpening action a bit. The tiff file looks much better.

Gail - I think MSI is definitely worth a trip. The lighthouse keeper, Ralph Eldridge, showed us his portfolio one of the days and he had beautiful photos taken at first light and also around sunset. The problem is that during the breeding season when the birds are on the island, first light is before 5 a.m. and the landing would be dangerous in the dark, so these combine to make it impractical to have the tours there for first light.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Grace, I was writing while you posted.

[Peter Scholer]

The body language and clarity is excellent. Incredible detail in the colorful beaks. This amazing image puts a smile on my face.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Peter, glad it put a smile on your face. I think puffins often do so with their sort of comical flight look and behavior.

Rachel