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Thread: Humpback Tail Slap.....

  1. #1
    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Default Humpback Tail Slap.....

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    Bay of Banderas, Southern Mexico Pacific Coast.

    Whale photography makes BIF look like a walk in the park. The most challenging subjects I ever attempt and I have shot Grays, Orca's and now went on
    a couple of Humpback Whale excursions. I of course, muffed a couple of full breaches.......

    This was taken when two males got into a contest together and they were challenging each other, A number of slaps like this, almost completely out of the water,
    One of the greatest scenes in nature up close.

    1/3200, f7.1, iso400, 400mm (70-200 f2.8 w/ 2x tc) D610, Handheld from moving rocking small boat.


    610_1081bp.jpg
    Dan Kearl

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Dan always great to see something different .
    Overall nice colors and comp with an almost graphic approach and design . I really love the spray created by the Humpback .

    I guess very difficult to get this from a small boat . I just feel the focus did not lock on the subject ? I would try to pullout some more detail from the whale .

    TFS Andreas

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Dan - yes, I've missed a few breaches myself but I find photographing the dolphins that often ride along in the wake of the boat more difficult. I like the comp here with the tail on the diagonal and the huge splash.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Hi Dan

    Something I have never done, or will
    Love the splash and the power in the tail.
    Agree with Andreas about the whale, you can get more.

    Can see your little rocking boat under the tail!!!- how is your camera and lens insurance?
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

  5. #5
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Something I have never done, but I would love to do in the future

    Awesome sighting Dan, your camera settings were spot-on IMO, been reading Andreas's comment above and one explanation that comes to mind is, water running off the Humbpack's tail creates a "film" over the subject's skin and this is what your camera has focused on. Lovely comp and colours and maybe worth trying to get more detail from the whale, amazing scene nevertheless, enjoyed viewing and looking forward to more from you!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Great moment shot in tricky conditions!
    I am in two minds about cropping from the top - on the one hand I like that there's a break in the mountains to show the sky, and on the other I want a uniform BG...
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


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