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Thread: Black Guillemot - on ice

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Black Guillemot - on ice

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    Early one morning when the majority were still fast asleep, Ronald, Hendric and myself took the zodiac out for a quick scout and to see what was about. The shoreline was peppered with floating ice swept in by the wind, as pack ice can move very quickly, trust me. As we approached one significant piece this Black Guillemot decided it was time to leave. Shooting from a moving rib it challenging at the best of times, shooting something that is black in a white environment just ramps up the challenge IMHO . I think this s in 'breeding' plumage?

    Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image.

    Steve

    Subject: Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille) running on the pack ice
    Location: Svalbard
    Camera: Canon 1DX
    Lens: 500f/4 with 1.4HH
    Exposure: 1/1600s at f/5.6 ISO400 (could have easily gone to 800 for a higher SS)
    Original format: Landscape, cropped for presentation
    Processed: LRCC & PS CC2015

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Steve:

    Talk about an exposure challenge. At least you got some fill off of the snow to help with the blacks. Soft light helped as well. Foot up walking pose adds a strong sense of action. The slope he is on also gives a bit more sense of 'movement'

    I could see him framed a tiny bit more to the right in the image.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Talk about an exposure challenge.
    Indeed Randy, but the histogram is a great ally, but to be able to dial in changes quickly is an asset, because this 'guy' was on the move and little time to think.


    I could see him framed a tiny bit more to the right in the image.
    Can easily be done, do you mean moving the whole frame, or just a tighter crop?

    Cheers
    Steve

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Steve, I like the size of the frame in relationship to the birds size, but if you have a little more room left on the left, at a sliver there, and take a matching amount off the right side. Depends of course on how you cropped from the original.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, this is as much image content as I have to the left, retaining the same proportion of crop, but just moving left.

    Cheers
    Steve

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Steve - RP for me. Almost comical walking pose on the ice. Well done on the exp.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Steve:

    I prefer the repost, gives a bit more room to stride into, plays up the action.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

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    Another for the repost Steve, do like the almost marching pose.

    Keith.

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Definitely the RP Steve - excellent work in a tricky situation

    Mike

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Yep, the repost is much better. Talk about a neat opportunity you guys had here. What could have been a tough exposure challenge was handled expertly. If anything else I would have preferred a better head angle - but at least the cool foot work is keeping me interested there :-)

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Steve, you nailed the exposure perfectly here - the camera's metering must have worked overtime. I really like the walking pose with the raised foot, and I do like the detail in the snow/ice. Your RP works the best for me. I would love to experience conditions and sightings like this.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Cheers folks, much appreciated and thanks Randy for the initial suggestion .

    Stu, you would be most welcome, but as I have mentioned before, you would need a long pair of pants here, it's a bit cooler than you are normally used too .

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Hi Steve

    All been said, Its a Cracker Steve I think I will stick to Oban Harbour for my Black Guillemonts

    Well Done

    Will

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I think I will stick to Oban Harbour for my Black Guillemonts
    But Will, is as picturesque??? Last time I was there, Oban claimed to be the Seafood capital, based on the size of gulls perhaps it is? I assume you had a 'Fish supper' after the ferry.

    Cheers

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Well maybe you have a point there Steve, picturesque Not. Oban is where all the seafood is landed before it goes abroad to Spain via Ullapool I think If you order lobster in a restaurant, it prob comes from Canada. All to do with money I suppose. Anyway the seafood on Uist is much nicer

    Will

    PS The Best Fish Suppers are to be had at Anstruther after a wee trip to the May Isle (a bird photographers dream)
    Last edited by William Dickson; 11-16-2015 at 06:40 PM.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    PS The Best Fish Suppers are to be had at Anstruther after a wee trip to the May Isle (a bird photographers dream)
    Anstruther, indeed I was there last year, also picked up some fantastic 'Smokies' too.

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    I like the walking pose, exposure, setting and composition in the repost. Very well done Steve!

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    Perfect exposure and nice walking pose, Steve. Sounds like a great experience. Would've liked the bird angled a bit more our way, but would take this in a heart beat.

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