Common Loon penguin posture

[Keith Carver]

Sometimes a loon's aggressive upright display (penguin posture) is in response to a perceived threat (e.g. photographer or a boat too close) but at other times it is part of stretching and bathing. This front view shows the beautiful white underwing feathers that serve to protect chicks who sometimes crawl inside during the first few days after hatch.

This was taken yesterday on Damariscotta Lake, overcast skies.

Techs: 1DM3, 700 mm, ISO 400, eval. metering - 0.33 EC: f/5.6, 1/3200 sec.

Post: slight contrast increase

[Randy Stout]

Keith:

Nice underwing display,soft light, shooting angle.
I might consider increasing the exp. by about 1/2 stop. I tried it, and liked the effect. The whites still looked good, but you could use a touch of the recovery slider if you like.
Perhaps a sliver more room on the right if you have it.

I am not sure I can tell this posture from a standard wing flap. Had the bird been up higher before or after this shot?

Cheers

Randy

[Keith Carver]

Keith:

Nice underwing display,soft light, shooting angle.
I might consider increasing the exp. by about 1/2 stop. I tried it, and liked the effect. The whites still looked good, but you could use a touch of the recovery slider if you like.
Perhaps a sliver more room on the right if you have it.

I am not sure I can tell this posture from a standard wing flap. Had the bird been up higher before or after this shot?

Cheers

Randy

Randy, the bird was up higher just before this shot but I clipped the right wing and decided not to use it. Didn't have more room on the right for this one. Thanks for the suggestion of a 1/2 stop in exposure plus recovery - I did it and do like the repost better.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Keith Can't wait to see them guys !!!! Like the pose and good shadow detail.. Fabs is doing some work on the image now :) Sweet !!!

[Fabs Forns]

Keith, I sed Shadow/HIghlight in CS5 and then in Color Balance, aded +4 of yellow to warm it up bait. Hope you like it.

[Keith Carver]

Keith, I sed Shadow/HIghlight in CS5 and then in Color Balance, aded +4 of yellow to warm it up bait. Hope you like it.

Fabs, thanks for this and I do like your warmer version better. Hmmm ... further incentive to go ahead and get CS5. :)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Cool pose, and the reposts do offer nice improvements to the exposure and colour. I would have prefered less room below, and more above. As is you could also rid the black reflection near the bottom edge (slight crop below, or clone/patch tools). Very appealing overall!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Beautifukl capture Keith and great timing. Really a lovely repost Fab as it really seems to pop. They are such beautiful birds and hope to see them one day. Many thanks for sharing Keith.