Hi folks ,
here is the opposite side of my last trip to Helgoland last winter ..
I already posted some action frames of two bulls fighting heavily , first time i witnessed this in that intensity ....man that was really strong tobacco to smoke .
In the end one of them lost and went away .....both wounded to the same degree , from my POV .Actually i could not tell who was the winner ....as both took rest not that far apart from each other .
So here is one of them who was closer to waters edge and might have been the looser , the somehow strange thing was that at that beach have been no females around . Usually they fight hefty when the females are around .....
Canon EOS 1Dx MK2
EF 500 IS L
HH
F 8 ; Iso 20000 ; 1/ 2000 sec ; man exp ; + 1EV
Processed with DPP 4.6 and PS CC 2017 ; slight crop from top and RHS
Thanks for watching and commenting to my previous posting....
Hi Andreas - The blood certainly shows another element than your usual seal shots from this location. Nice detail. My only question is the slope/crop. As posted I feel like the seal is about to roll out of the frame but recognize that there was likely a slope to the beach so this may actually be level. If you have enough space around prior to this crop to level the eyes, I feel it would be worth looking at as an alternative.
Andreas I see what Rachel refers to,was it a sloping beach ?it's great the way you have caught this sand and blood covered Seal ,looks like it's been in a real battle.Excellent job.
The blood and look certainly tell a story here. I agree regarding the crop / slope. Excellent details at 20k ISO and like the DOV. Quick question -- what are the two thin lines on each eye? Guessing a membrane but just curious. TFS
Thanks Rachel , Keith and Alec for your kind comments and suggestions , much appreciated .
Yep the seal was sloping down to the RHS as viewed. I do find this always tricky to make looking good without loosing the original slope ....so always 50/50 for me how or not to correct this.
Alex - yes this are the membranes of the seals to cover the eye , for underwater and avoiding sand in the eye .
Hi Andreas, like the placement and colour palette here, the inclusion of the kelp is nice and I like the blood stained face, tells a story.
Personally I might apply a Tonal Curve for the Shadow/Darks just on the subject for a bit more oomph. Still feel it needs a bit more room at the foot, that's all.
Thanks Steve much appreciated , again i am fine with the crop as presented , but to be honest it is right on the border and i should have shot it a tiny bit wider for more options in post .
I agree with you regrading the range ....forgot to add that , as a final touch up like i do normally .....recognized it after the upload ....too late and you got me
Looks alike a boxer thats just gone the distance - and lost!
I'm happy with the framing here, the head is the all important focal point, so I don't think adding anything extra at the foot would really benefit the shot.
Hello Andreas,
Regardless of who won, the defeated look on this seal's face makes this image for me. I would like to see the RP with that tad of oomph please Boetie, if you have time. Very dramatic, I really appreciate this post - thank you so much for sharing
After the fight ....
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down to the RHS as viewed. I do find this always tricky to make looking good without loosing the original slope ....so always 50/50 for me how or not to correct this. 
....too late and you got me 
