Atlantic Puffin Taking Off

[Norm Dulak]

D7200 w/Nikon 200-500mm @ 260mm
ISO 800; f/7.1, 1/3200 sec.; Matrix Metering -0.33

Taken at Machias Seal Island.

[Isaac Grant]

I like the action and the moss covered rock. Interesting pose for the bird as well. The bird seems a little flat to me and looks a little noisy as well in the dark areas. I think some added contrast would help to set it off from the background. The rock seems sharper and more contrasty than the bird. Color is better on the rock as well. Did you miss focus? Not sure if it is how the light is hitting it, but the feet seem much more saturated than the rest of the bird. If mine I would clone out the dark area in the bottom left of the frame so it does not distract from the bird.

[Adhika Lie]

Love the pose here but agreed that the rock looks sharper than the bird. The tension from the action is a killer though.

[Norm Dulak]

Thanks Isaac and Adhika for your comments.

[Bill Dix]

Nice take-off pose, with head framed by wings; and nice setting. Ditto the comments above. Rock seems a bit oversharpened, and bird a bit soft. I wonder if the focus point was the rock?

[Norm Dulak]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I retained the SD card containing this file. In viewing the card in my camera, I verified that the focus point was in fact on the bird, and not on the rock. But your comments are greatly appreciated!