Grey seal pup (inspired by Mr Kaluski!)

[Mike Poole]

As mentioned on my last seal thread, the light was awful for this shoot, but no point in paying for a 1dx then sticking to ISO 100!

This little fella started rolling around as the pups tend to do, so hearing the shout of 'raise the ISO' in my mind I thought this would be an ideal time to experiment with the light tones and the close up action requiring little cropping, and I am pleasantly surprised (I know I shouldn't be...) with the available IQ.

Again, a little tight in frame, but this was part of a series of going for close up portraits, I'll post some looser shots at another time.

Full frame on the sides, cropped top and bottom for comp,

Canon 1dx
500mm f4
ISO 10000
1/1250th f14

Thanks for all the previous help and comments

Mike

[Steve Kaluski]

OMG Mike, could you be a convert to using higher ISO to nail the capture and get sharper images???? Kudos, but no need to go overboard when you don't need to, but IMHO keep the SS high, as you can now relax on the ISO knowing it won't break the camera if you need to push it!!!

Mike I was always envious of Nikon because of the ISO & clean files, but with the advent of the 1DX things began to change and this to me was the 'birth' of a new age for Canon. It allows you to capture images that were originally out of reach, plus with the advancement of Software, noise is a thing of the past and files at 16k+ are easily passing photo libraries IQ 'gatekeepers' as the 1DX MKII has rewritten the Playground arena, but there are a few issues with the MKII, albeit I hope a firmware will resolve, they need too. However, if Canon use the Nikon sensor and provided uncompressed files, well that then would be an awesome camera body.

My only though as an alternative, crop on the RH edge (10x8???) so you have the body as the trim edge and loose that grass stem, the eyes are very captivating, very well done.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Mike - Huge cuteness factor here! Once again those eyes draw the viewer in. I also love the flipper/paw placement. I would like a sliver more on the left here but not a deal breaker. Nice one.

TFS,
Rachel

[Gabriela Plesea]

Oh yes Mike, this ticks all the boxes for me, awesome capture

Love the lack of noise at high ISO and @ F14 you have that adorable face and those whiskers in, paw too, all sharp and lots of detail, well exposed too.

Nice framing although you could even go tighter if you wish, I think Steve is right.

Super pose from this Seal pup, well seen and captured, lots of emotion here and the eye contact just does the trick, I cannot stop looking:)
Well processed -congratulations Mike, a winner in my books and I so enjoyed viewing, let us have some more

Kind regards,

[Stuart Philpott]

Beautiful image Mike,so much emotion in those eyes and yes that iso made me go exploring yesterday. This was exactly the type of frame I envisaged from what you described you were going for in the last image Mike,it is utterly enchanting. The front paw claws echo the whiskers in curve and that paw placement is killer. It's just gorgeous Mike I have little to critique really but have to thank you for sharing not only such a gorgeous pup but also those techs, this is incredibly insprirng as this is in England in horrible light

yeah and I can't stop looking at those eyes either
Seriously cool mike

take care

Stu

[Morkel Erasmus]

Very cute pose here, and I like the overall bright tone of the portrait.
Welcome to the mile high ISO club

[haseeb badar]

Hi Mike -- quite late on this but a lovely image to visit for the viewer. Those eyes makes this a wonderful image and i am in agreement with the above , great to see you pumping that iso , very well done .

TFS !

[Dumay de Boulle]

Big cuteness factor here and the pose is very appealing. Nice exposure and excellent detail for the high ISO....

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Mike , agree with the others about high cuteness factor.
Very cool pose and a stunning look to the viewer .Color and tones does look good to me , i might only change the hue of the yellows a fraction to the warmer side to avoid the very very slight greenish tinge in the fur in parts .
You did so well with the high iso .Lovely details and good sharpness .Agree with Steve regarding the crop .
Overall very well done Mike .
TFS Andreas

[keith mitchell]

Mike I cannot see how you could make this any better,the detail you have on the Seals coat is superb,love the wet look around the eyes.
It's just down the road from me might see if I can stagger down there next week,is it far from the main car park to the Seals?

Keith.

[Mike Poole]

Mike I cannot see how you could make this any better,the detail you have on the Seals coat is superb,love the wet look around the eyes.
It's just down the road from me might see if I can stagger down there next week,is it far from the main car park to the Seals?

Keith.

Thanks for that Keith.

From the car park to the start of the viewing area it's about 100 yards. From there I'd guess it's about another 300 yards to the far end. All pretty flat and very easy walking.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[keith mitchell]

Thanks Mike I think I will try to get there.

Keith.