Juvenile Puffin 'portrait'

[Steve Kaluski]

Thought I would post this one, as we are all familiar with the Adults who are rather splendid in the bright, bold colours, however the newly arrive youngsters are less so. This one I understand is only a few weeks old. You can see the odd feather blown by the wind, pepper about in the vegetation.

Steve

Subject: Juvenile Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Location: UK
Camera: Canon MKIII
Lens: 500f/4 - Gitzo tripod/Wimberley head
Exposure: 1/16o0s at f7.1 ISO400 0 stop compensation
Crop: Almost FF, slight crop (original capture vertical)

PS: Levels, Curves, Own colour mix, slight USM, slightly lightened around the eye
No blurring to BKG, all done in camera

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Oh he's so cute and still just a little guy. Not quite as animated as an adult. I like the perch and the way you got him just right in the middle of the hight vegetation in the bg . I've not had the pleasure to see one of these so thanks for sharing it.

[Herb Houghton]

Nice capture Steve. I'm not a huge fan of centered subjects, but this seems to work. I would have liked to see more of a HA towards us and a lightened up face. The eye could use some catchlight. I like the feather detail and the BGD is nice.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I don't recall seeing a youg one of these before. I like the comp (which is not centered BTW...the amount of space in front of the face is much more than behind the tail). Nice habitat. I realize the face is likely naturally dark but I'm sure fill-flash would have helped (and given a nice catchlight too).

[Steve Kaluski]

I'm sure fill-flash would have helped (and given a nice catchlight too).

Very true Daniel, but rarely do I use flash purely on the basis of spooking the subject, but should do more. Plus I do have concerns when it used with animals at night and how it affects them, but that is a personal hang up.