Atlantic Puffin
Photographed on Machias Island two weeks ago. This is one of the few images where I could position the camera in a way that the small hole in the blind wouldn't block the flash. I'm interested if you find the dark area in the BG distracting. It's a crevice.
1D3, 500f4, 1/1600s, f/11, EC -0.66, ISO 400, fill flash
Wow! this is terrific! The detail and color is about the best I've seen. The eye contact is perfect and the BG is to die for. Your control of the whites is first rate. :)
I just realized I didn't comment on the dark area in the BG. To my eye it looks natural and does not detract. If the BG were totally uniform it would look too contrived. If it still bothers you, you might do a selection of the BG and lighten it just a bit, but I don't think it necessary. I'm interested to see what others think.
Excellent details on the bird Axel. The crevice is not very distracting IMO since it is very OOF. A great portrait.
I'll be odd man out, I do find it distracting. Other than that, this is one fine image! wonderful, wonderful eye and great detail all the way around.
I think its an incredible image, lovely details and excellent work with the whites and exposure.
The black line is distracting, the method mentioned above sounds good - although I have never tried it...
Axel:
I find the dark crevice draws my attention very strongly to the beak, and the color there matches almost exactly. It does pull my eye away from the eye of the bird. I would vote to try lightening the crevice a bit.
Randy
Beautiful portrait Axel. Superb light, eye contact and bg looks great.
Yes Axel it is a bit distracting. However...this is the best portrait of a Puffin I've seen in a long time. Bar none. The twinkle in the eye is a bonus. Super details in the eye as a whole. Nice facial details and the beak is sleek. Good blacks and whites too. Hang it on the wall.
I like it as above. The dark streak bothered me more in the thumbnail... All is all, and excellent capture.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
Yup, a bit distracting, but the finest Puffin image I have ever seen. Well done, Axel.
Gorgeous image, I love the detail of the eye. Axel I hope to go to Machias next year. I was afraid that my 400 might be too much lens. Did you have a shorter lens than the 500 with you? Will I be okay with just my 400?
Thanks, Paul! I think it would be a good idea to take several lenses. I used focal lengths between 200 and 700mm. The 300-400 range might be most useful. The murres didn't come near whereas razorbills and puffins were very close most of the time.Originally Posted by Paul Merritt
Excellent close-up. Lovely details & very well exposed frame.
& personally I don't find the BG dark strip to be distracting - it looks perfectly natural.
I specially love the light eye, since depending on the light angle, could get very dark. Well done!
Hi Axel,
Very well done Sir. I like the soft background and the colors on your bird. The eye is sharp and the details are sharp...congrats...:cool:
WOWn Great shot
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote