Canon EOS 5D, Shooting Date/Time: 9/29/2008 16:05:48, Shutter Speed 1/1000Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F8.0, Evaluative metering, Exposure Compensation: +1, ISO 640, Lens: EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Focal Length: 70.0 mm. Hand held from a big fishing boat after a very long, 12 hour, day of fishing for Cod, Haddock and Pollock.
We left at 6 am from Seabrook NH for a 3 hour trip out into the Gulf of Maine for ground fishing. We were treated to a spectacular sunrise with Hurricane Kyle's fast pass into the Canadian Mari-times. The sky was filed with dark lifting clouds, brilliant reds, yellows and purples! We caught 1 30lb Pollock, 2 10lb Cod and 3 Cusps, great for fish chowder. About 1 pm, we spotted a Northern Gannet diving the seagulls for the bait we tossed over, clam pieces. It stayed for 30 minutes, about 50 yards from the boat, way too far for my slow 28-135 on the 5D. I had hooked the 30lb Pollock when I spotted him, so it was the fish or a try for the bird.
When we left to go back in to dock, the skipper spotted 4 Right Whales and 2 Humpbacks. Naturally I fainted and then grabbed my camera and lens combo. He is not a photographer and most people went to the sunny side of the boat. So he parked us with the sun in my face. The Humpbacks slapped the water with their side fins, corked screwed up in the air and slapped the water with the tail.
Finally he saw my anguished face, although the excitement was almost too much just watching the unveiling show. He swung the boat around so I could grab a few parting images, all hand held, almost running from stem to stern and side to side, on slippery wet fiberglass! I did my best under such circumstances. Here is one of 3 keepers. I am posting a sunrise from the trip in Landscapes forum for you enjoyment and critique.
If you have any suggestions for a better crop, image settings or on how to be better prepared, I am all ears. I was limited on what to bring on board. Last trip was in May. I brought my MK2n with the 300 2.8 and the 5D with the 28-135. It was awkward watching my gear. We were all friends, all 45 of us. We rented the entire boat, no beer, just fishing. we still had a great time. So someone messing with my gear was not an issue. Waves, it rolling of the table or falling, getting wet etc was. Plus when you are covered in fish stink, bait drippings and sea water splashing over the rail, you tend to get nervous.
Anyhow, thanks for viewing my images here on BPN. Everyone is welcome to comment, everyone. I am always open to improve.
Last edited by Grady Weed; 10-01-2008 at 08:35 AM.
Humpback Whale
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