eyes forward

[John Chardine]

I'm back working on the gannets at Bonaventure Island but manage to squeeze in a bit of photography here and there.

Here's a bird leaving the colony. Leaving behaviour involves pointing their bill straight up and looking forward as they move through the colony relatively unmolested.

Cropped, removed to OOF, small patches at bottom, NR on BG and sharpen subject. I had enough canvas to put the bird on the left but like the little bit of tension this crop creates.

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, @ 500 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 400, 1/2000s, f/8
Exp. comp.: 0.0
Flash: on, Flash exp. comp.: 0.0

[Miguel Palaviccini]

John,

Love this crop. I thought that maybe I would want to see the end of the bill (and maybe I secretly do), but I love it just the way it is.

Very dynamic image with the patterns and colors on the neck. The eyes are sharp and the fact that you can see both full pupils is a huge plus.

Miguel

[Satish Ranadive]

Magnificent close up. Wonderful colors and great details.Love the eyes.
Would crop silver line on the top.

Regards,
Satish.

[John Chardine]

Thanks all. Satish- I don't see a silver line at top but in looking for it I did notice a sensor spot which I totally missed during processing!

[Jeannean Ryman]

What a great point of view! Love the details and colors. While I like it as is, I'd also like to see it with a slight CCW rotation and a vertical crop. Those eyes are fantastic!

[Raymond Lee]

Beautiful capture! Nice sharpness and details. I thought the angle of the head is great, and no need rotation adjustments. I also like to see either include the tip of the bill or crop in even tighter.

[Marina Scarr]

I am loving this out of the box gannet image, John. So wish I could be there to photograph these guys. Finding a new way to photograph them isn't easy, and you managed it well here.

[Gabriela Plesea]

I love this image, John! Very arty! Had you left the entire bill the viewer's eye would be going right to the top-as it is, the image leads me to the eyes and the beautiful pattern, the lovely lines, the colours! Stunning, great thinking and processing!

Kind regards,

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

John I think I really would have loved this one if you had not clipped the bill :( I like the placement of the bird and that great angle you shot it at.

[John Chardine]

Thanks all!

@Cheryl- I purposely clipped the bill in camera for the crop I wanted. I know what you mean though and a valid alternative for sure is to include it. I have many with the whole bill included from lots of previous trips but wanted to try something different!

@Jeannean- when they do this behaviour they rock back and forth as they walk forward, hence the angle which I thought gave some dynamism to what you might think is a very static, stand-upright posture.

[Karen Forderer]

Beautiful photo! I love the close up look. I had the pleasure of photographing these birds at Cape St Mary's, Newfoundland, just over 3 weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It is hard to get one bird on its own when there are thousands sitting next to each other!

[John Chardine]

Thank you Karen. yes, isolation is a challenge in colonial situations like this. I often try to get low and have the sky behind.