Puffin from Machias Seal Island

[Sandy Clyburn]

I am reposting this from the avian forum, the C+C were great!
But me being a newbie, i found myself in the deep end of the pool.

So i took some of the suggestions and tried applying them.

Thanks to everyone. Camera setting info is in the avian form, i forgot it.

[John Chardine]

Hi Sandy- I read the techs off the file in Photoshop:

Nikon D3s, 200-400mm lens @ 400mm, 1/800s, f5.6, ISO 1600

This is a unique perspective and I like it. The narrow depth of field really emphasises the subject. You might want to lighten the subject a little (dodging) to draw attention even further. I feel like I want to see more of the bird and that creates some tension, which is good. The white blobs on the rocks are a bit distracting. I would play around with crop because I think you could achieve a similar effect with a bit less negative space above and to the right. There's a slight bluish and magenta cast to the grey in the bird's face which could be corrected. For one method to do this look here:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...-John-Chardine

[Clyde Hopper]

Hello Sandy , I think John has covered your photo extremely Accurately, If I would add anything at all ,it would be ,to Dodge the Eye also . I believe it could be brightened just a tad and would pull the viewer in Even more .

[Jeannean Ryman]

I just love Puffins. They are so cute! I'd love to see one someday. I too agree with John about the crop and color.

[Julie Brown]

Hi Sandy. I think John covered the techs pretty well. I did notice the bluish color cast-you might want to make the cheek whiter. BTW, I saw puffins for the first time in July of 2011 on a Audubon Camp boat trip from Hog Island to Eastern Egg Rock in Muscongus Bay. I'm going back to Maine for another camp in June 2013. Do you think it is worth the extra time to drive 5 hours from Portland to take a landing tour to Machias Seal Island?