gannet eyes

[John Chardine]

I just returned from two days at the gannet colony on Bonaventure Island, Québec, Canada, with Chris Dodds, Artie Morris, and a group of photographers they were leading. It was a huge treat to meet Chris and Artie and photograph with them and the group, and I learned a huge amount! I would highly recommend Chris' trips to this magic place.

I'll likely post several from the trip but this one, which is a little out of the box, interested me. The bird is preening and the lower bill was buried in plumage so cropped out at exposure (maybe a mistake?). The theme as suggested in the title is eyes- gannet eyes are at the pinnacle of the bird world in my opinion. I was surprised to discover that they can be moved independently, much like a chameleon.

40D, 500 mm f4
capture date: Sunday, June 15, 2008 3:28:41 PM
EXIF version: 2.2
exposure program: Manual, +2 off grey sky
ISO speed: 500
shutter speed: 1/2500
aperture: f4.5
metering: Pattern
fill flash, Beamer, -1

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow, very nice - great techs. I also like the option of cropping half of the head out (up to where the top of the neck meets the edge). You are right about the yes...so mesmerizing! I'm glad you had a succesful outing :-)

[Leroy Laverman]

I really like the overall softness of this one. I'm not sure about the square format though. ... although the more I look at it the more I can't decide if more on the left or more on the right would work better. Maybe it's best just the way it is.

[Gus Cobos]

Very powerfull image. Love the eyes...:cool:

[Doug Brown]

This one works for me John, including the square crop. I like the idea of sharing how you meter in manual mode. For those forum members interested in taking the plunge, it's a big help. Thanks for posting!

[Raul Quinones]

Beautiful picture, love the eyes. Nice selection of shallow depth of field.

[Maxis Gamez]

What a lovely composition, soft light and details. The eyes are the key! Excellent work!

[Alfred Forns]

Excellent John Love the selected crop Just perfect highlight detail from your accurate exposure. About all I could wish is for the other pupil to be entirely visible !!! Big Time Congrats !!!

[Dave Phillips]

really a nice one John.....those blue eyes are very enticing.
I think the soft shadows and hint of color on the bird are just right

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love your choice of cropping. A very striking image with great soft colors and superb pose !!

[Jody Melanson]

Nice out of the box image. I would crop a little more off the left side. Glad you had a good time!

[Grace Scalzo]

I don;t know what to say about this image, except that it is fine!!! Creative, artistic, moody, simple, perfect.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the composition and the eyes make it for me, aside from the fact that I'm a big fan of gannets and hope to be able to go there sometime.

[Grady Weed]

This is a IOTY! Killer whites and of course those eyes! Frame this one and hang it in the Louvre! Outstanding.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey John, It was great meeting you. Thanks for sharing your immense knowledge of this species with the group. I was gonna suggest adding a bit of canvas to the top but was really intrigued by Daniel's suggestion... I love the soft light and of course, the eyes.

[Stephen Stephen]

Great image here John.

[John Chardine]

Many thanks for everyone's great comments. I will try a different crop as suggested.