Puffin Portrait

[denise ippolito]

Canon 40D
100-400mm
ISO 100
1/250 sec. at f/6.3
HH shot from a blind
Natural light and slight fog


This is my first Puffin shot and first Puffin "experience" I took this image at Machias Island off the coast of Maine. Thanks to Roman and Axel for all their tips on shooting at the Island.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the head angle and soft light. I increased contrast quite a bit and might have gone to ISO 200 to be able to stop down more.

[denise ippolito]

Looks good Axel. I actually thought about increasing the contrast but was back and forth.Thanks. Agree w/ ISO

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely pose , repost works better
TFS

[Desmond Chan]

Hmmm...how come all puffin photos look good?

I think I'd better find some puffins myself :)

[Stu Bowie]

Ive always enjoyed the detail and colours these Puffins have, and you have shown those up extremely well Denise. Lovely smooth BG too. Well captured.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Good looking portrait Denise, loved the details and colours, Axel repost sure adds a Bit, but still looks a little soft on my monitor and the blacks look a bit overdone. nevetheless a lovely image.. congrats...

[Doug Brown]

Good points by everyone, and a beautiful portrait Denise! I agree with Axel about a contrast boost. Here's one with some additional sharpening. How do you like it?

[denise ippolito]

Thanks Doug, It looks great!! I did a low resolution sharpening. I should have been more aggressive. I really like the re-post alot -could you share the #'s you used to sharpen it?


Thankyou everyone else for your comments and advice.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Denise,
I see you had a great time! Now you know why they are my favorites! How could you not love a face like that. Doug's re-post is the way to go and great job isolating a nice BG.

[David Roach]

All's been said so I'll just add the greys in the BG really make the colors pop!! Congrats!

[Tony Whitehead]

Congrats, Denise. Most envious of your opportunity with Puffins. Reposts add to the image.

[Grace Scalzo]

Superb details in the face and eye, Denise and the reposts improve the overall impact. Only thing that I might consider is selecting the background and blurring is every so slightly just to smooth it out a bit.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Love the comp. on this. A great face. The sharpened re-post looks much better. The original did seem a bit soft.

[denise ippolito]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments.
Roman, I'm going again next year!! I loved it!!

[Dr.Pranay Rao Juvvadi]

I like Doug's repost. Much has been covered by everyone, so I'll just add, beautiful close up.

[Danny Laredo]

Stunning portrait Denise. So much detail...amazing.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

They are my6 fave northern bird. Your portrait just about nails it spot on! they have such sad faces. I also wonder about your choice of ISO. I think as long as the histogram leans to the right 400 + are no issues. I only wish for a slightly lesser HA in your direction so the bill tip were sharp. But I love it! :) Thanks for sharing.

[Ed Cordes]

Denise, what a wonderful experience. Gail and I need to get up there some day. I do like the last, sharpened, repost best. However, you did well getting the portrait down pat.

[denise ippolito]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

[John Ippolito]

Glad you got your puffins, and this is a nicely done portrait with lovely smooth BG. Dan's final really pops. Excellent detail and exposure. Very very nice!

[denise ippolito]

Thanks John. I was so happy to just be there. It was truly an amazing experience for me.

[Doug Brown]

Hi Denise. I don't remember exactly what I did, but it was something like this. I selected the bird and did a pass of smart sharpen. Then I used the Photokit Sharpener brush (both the narrow 1 and the medium 1) to do some selective sharpening. I also boosted contrast on the bird.

[denise ippolito]

Thanks Doug!! I appreciate it.

[sree.kumar.h]

Speechless! Like the innocent soft feel in the image. Great colours and the Grey BG makes the image special.

[denise ippolito]

sree.kumar.h, Thankyou very much. I appreciate your comments.

[Ed Schneider]

Excellent Denise, aren't these amazing subjects?! Doug's final is really sweet, I just wish I had the PP skills of some of these folks... I guess that's why I'm here ! :)

[denise ippolito]

Ed, Thanks- The Puffins really are amazing to watch and photograph. I hope I am lucky enough to do it again.