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Thread: Grey seal pup

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Default Grey seal pup

    Name:  seal-pup-3-nov-16.jpg
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    This is a great seal pup from Donna Nook, North East England. Judging by the coat, probably about a week old. Had to battle poor light, and as ever, getting low angles is difficult due to the viewing area now being fenced off due to poor behaviour over the years.

    This pup was just lying on its back, so I was trying for a few 'cute' upside down portraits when he had a little roll over, so I took a step back to try and get him fully in the frame. Nearly managed it, full frame top and bottom, a touch off the right, then a little canvas added to the left.

    I've got what I think is a cuter pose, more direct into the camera, but with the lower flipper partly cropped. I'll post that another time for comparison as I'm torn between the two.

    Canon 1dx
    500mm f4 is
    1/640th, f13
    ISO 5000

    Mike

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    Hi Mike -- A cute looking character, and you have done well in getting it in the frame. But i would have liked more space all around. Details look good but i still feel f9 would have been fine . I can see your reflection in one of its eye , must have been too close . Lets see what others have to say .
    TFS !

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Mike agree with Haseeb, this does convey the 'cuteness' factor for sure.

    Good to see you pushing the ISO Mike, but I might have suggested 6400 rather than a mid point and this would have made little difference to IQ, but gained tad more SS which, if HH would have helped. Good call on the DoF, you needed it. I too feel it's bit too tight, although DN is not the greatest location with quite a few obstacles from recollection, but things may have changed, however... I would have gone tighter in, or just pulled back to allow yourself a bit more room for cropping. If you could, then a fraction lower, I still have the impression you are slightly above the pup, but love the pose and choice of angle.

    I feel although it's a tad flat you can get a bit more 'richness/life' from the image, likewise applying some Curves adjustments to get more tonal range helps, just watch as you are just clipping the blacks, albeit a fraction. Just an alternative, thought, but going 10x8 I feel brings things in more, but still retains the original thinking, but just my take. Watch the blue creeping in.

    BTW took the liberty of removing the few grass stems at the foot, purely for comparison.

    TFS
    Steve

    Looking forward to more.

    TFS
    Steve

    PS Watch out for ant UXB's from the RAF.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Mike - Definitely a huge cuteness factor and I love those big eyes. Agree about it being a bit tight around but understand that it is not the easiest place to shoot. Steve has taken the image up a notch with his rp.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Thanks for the replies on this one, and Steve - thanks for the RP, it's an improvement, especially in the eyes.

    The main difficulty I had (apart from the light) is trying to get a low angle at this location. Over the years, poor behaviour from varying members of the public has meant you can no longer get onto the beach and now have to stay behind a small fence. The closest seals are about 2-3 feet below you, then a bit further away is a raised bank which gets you the look of being at eye level, but its pot luck as to where the seals are. On this day, no pups were at the raised area, I will try and show some of them in the future.

    So, with this pup, the only way of getting more space around would be to step back from the fence, which then puts me on a raised bank itself, and gives me a steeper shooting angle.

    The other alternative is to bring forward my intended purchase of the 100-400ii and go back!

    Thanks again.

    Mike

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Over the years, poor behaviour from varying members of the public has meant you can no longer get onto the beach and now have to stay behind a small fence.
    I totally agree 110% here Mike, I have witness people with W/A lens approaching pups within feet, getting between Mum & the pup and also where the Mum has abandoned the pup because of idiots, it's appalling so I choose not to visit. It's a had place to shoot, plus if the sand kick-up you need a Lenscoat cover over your gear.

    The other alternative is to bring forward my intended purchase of the 100-400ii and go back!
    Or the 200-400 with the awesome ext built in, far better than the bolt on one.

    Good luck.

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    Beautiful and cute subject Mike. I like those big eye, the details and sharpness. Some good suggestions above from Haseeb, Rachel and Steve.
    Cheers.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Mike these guys are sooooo cute , for a very short time . Lovely big eyes .
    I am about to visit them on Helgoland in four weeks time , pupping season at its best , i hope for some decent weather .Actually i would prefer the vastness of Donna , but there is that fence , so no more vastness of that loooong beach .
    You did well with the POV having the fence in mind . I like the typical pose and the tightness of the frame .
    I agree with Steve regarding the techs , i like his RP in terms of tonality and the form he has put into the subject .In terms of color i think your OP is more realistic having the dull light of Donna in mind , but agree the blues could go down a fraction .

    Nice work Mike , hope more will follow to prepare me for Helgoland

    TFS Andreas

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    I like the tight frame Mike ahh those eyes!! This sounds like a really difficult place to shoot Mike all credit. For a spot so limited your framing is great considering what you have told us,

    Love the eyes in Steve 's repost can't comment on colour,do go back with some light mate oh and option c which was the 100-400ii
    I've never seen this Mike i'm unsure if a place like donna is for me but I'd love to actually see this,so maybe one day.
    just too cute mate,the following notes as always of deep interest and your techs of personal interest in grey old blighty

    do share more please,

    take care

    Stu

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    A fine shot Mike, lovely DOF and pin sharp details. Steve has pulled some more detail making it even better, looking forward to the next one!

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