Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Seal pup

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default Seal pup

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Normally I would never get this close between pup & mum and certainly never use a lens like this, but here in the Galapagos animals have NO fear, everything is also very well monitored too, by the Guides. Whilst photographing other seals I was totally unaware that this pup had decided to come up beside me and it wasn't until I kept being nudged, did I realise what was happening. Grabbing the other camera and body I quietly swung round to get some frames.

    Steve

    Subject: Galapagos sealion pup (Zalophus wollebaeki)
    Camera: Canon MKIII
    Lens: 16-35f/2.8 HH
    Exposure: 1/1250s at f/7.1 ISO400 -0.33 stop compensation
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  2. #2
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve,
    nice to see another Seal species, this one is not often seen here.
    Like the low perspective and the centered placement of the subject.
    Nicely processed as always, but i would go for slightly cooler look, by reducing the overall reds.Adding some more tonal contrast into the main subject brings out some detail in the for, just a matter of my taste, evtl . not yours.I wish the blacks would be a tad deeper.
    The fall off in detail and sharpness on RHS at the frame edge ,bugs me a bit, by knowing where it is coming from , it bugs me less, cause this can be a addressed in PP.

    Well done ,Steve

    TFS Andreas
    Last edited by Andreas Liedmann; 12-21-2013 at 07:59 AM.

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve - great low pov and detail. I agree the reds look a little richer than I remember them being. The ones I encountered in the Galapagos tended more to brown. It's nice that the eye is open. There's a splotch on the one in the bg on the rhs that I would consider smoothing or eliminating (and yes splotch is the technical term).

    TFS,
    Rachel

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Wemmel, Belgium
    Posts
    21
    Threads
    1
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve,

    Wonderfull low angle view, great details. Like Andreas I would suggest to make it a bit cooler.

    TFS
    Gert
    Last edited by GertOoms; 12-21-2013 at 09:57 AM.

  5. #5
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Northern Rockies
    Posts
    1,273
    Threads
    106
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good POV here Steve with good detail. I like the open eye & the sand grains around the eye. Since I have never been there, I am unable to comment on color.

    I enjoyed your story about the image. It is these experiences that wildlife photography so much fun. I wonder if the seal pup was nudging you in an attempt to nurse.
    Andrew

  6. #6
    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,818
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve,

    love the low angle as well and the splotch Rachel is suggesting to remove. For me it looks like a fly. I can see the wings flapping up and down

    The most is said already. Lovely image

    Ciao
    Anette

  7. #7
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the perspective and the sharpness and the cuteness. Pointing the camera so as to frame the image two inches to the right would have been a plus. Do you have room there? I would lose the o-o-f leaf in an instant and crop a bit or more off the bottom as the blank whiteness there does nothing for either me or the image :) (IMHO).
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  8. #8
    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    South Luangwa, Zambia
    Posts
    701
    Threads
    26
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the perspective with the other two in the bg. I would also lose that fly, even if it's interesting, it distracts. Other than that, it's great. there's an almost fish eye feeling to it.
    Ed

  9. #9
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I dig the perspective, low angle etc here Steve.
    Galapagos sure is a bucket-list destination for most.
    I agree with zapping the "splotch" and I would also open up the blacks just a small fraction?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  10. #10
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A very special moment beautifully captured, Steve. Love the perspective, the positioning of the subject in this image so pleasing to the eye.

    I really appreciate the presentation here and I admit I have been staring at this photograph for some time now, thinking it satisfies not only from an aesthetic point of view but also from an emotional one-this content looking little pup, perhaps a vulnerable species, yet so trusting, so relaxed in your company. What a wonderful experience, Steve!

    Talking about "experience", I would like to thank you for all that you have taught me over the past months-I have gained so much knowledge and shall keep learning. Thank you Steve for your time, patience, encouragement and so many valuable lessons-what a journey of learning 2013 has been! Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with great moments and photographic opportunities!
    Gabriela Plesea

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    30
    Threads
    9
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the low angle. I would remove the leafs and the fly on the upper right of the image. Great photo!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics