Surfing Dolphin

[Robert Kimbrell]

My first entry into the Wildlife forum, I wish I had opportunity for more. This shot was taken in 2012 on a dolphin cruise. Although processed the water color is close to how it came out of the camera. only a u/v filter in place.
D=800 50mm 1.8
ISO 400, F 7.1 1/1250

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Robert, a warm welcome into the Wildlife Forum, cool opening image to boot!

Kudos in getting the shot, not that easy, especially with both subject and boat moving. Perhaps a slightly lower POV so the head is more above the horizon, but hey, this is good. Not on a calibrated monitor, but you can tweak the green if you want to via a mask and HSL within the RAW converter or PS. I would perhaps look at both the Highlights & White slider to see if you can get more detail within the wake of the wave and or a Luminosity adjustment. I do like the comp and there is nice space for the subject to breath too. Great fast lens, goes to show you don't always need a lens the size of the Hubble telescope to get a great image. Personally I might add a little adjustment in Curves to the subject and a little more select sharpening. I wonder, if you have the opportunity next time, to add a CP to the lens, certainly help on the sky and water, but would drop a stop?

Please do not be shy, when you have the opportunity, please post more here, likewise contributing to other threads within the forum builds on the BPN Community spirit.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Robert - another warm welcome to the Wildlife Forum. Great to see an image of a dolphin and to get one airborne is so difficult so great job on the timing. Looks like there's another dolphin below the surface too. It's fun when they ride the wake of your boat. Steve has covered all of the main points relating to the highlights and the color. Interesting choice on the lens but it worked.

Looking forward to seeing more of your wildlife shots and your comments on others' images.

TFS,
Rachel

[Don Railton]

Hi Robert

Welcome to the wildlife forum... I think this is a great opener, as I am quite sure it would be difficult to predict when the Dolphin makes it's leap... I agree with the gurus comments above, and I feel you could do a little more with the bg espy the clouds and water to add detail. This would lift a very good image further IMHO.

well done

Don

[BenBotha]

Welcome and enjoy the interaction. I agree about the whites. I love the facial expression, it is as if the Dolphyn is smiling!
Ben

[Anette Mossbacher]

Welcome Robert to the Wildlife "department"
What a shot, I dream of getting once in my life some images of dolphins close. The ones I have they turned up by surprise and far away, bummer.Very well done.

Have a great week
Ciao Anette
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[Morkel Erasmus]

A big warm welcome from me too Robert! This is a cracking shot, love the pose and setting!
I agree a CP filter would have been great but nice to see you got detail in the clouds, water and dolphin in the light that you were shooting in.
I am looking forward to more of your work, great first post