ACR, CS5, cloned out two seals in BG, touched up eyes, blur & NR on BG. Tried a version with more off the top, but liked this amount of breathing space better.
7D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2.0x, HH
1/100
6.3
ISO 800
ACR, CS5, cloned out two seals in BG, touched up eyes, blur & NR on BG. Tried a version with more off the top, but liked this amount of breathing space better.
7D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2.0x, HH
1/100
6.3
ISO 800
Very pleasing image indeed , big congrats
TFS
I like the almost alabaster feel to this image. The soft background sweeping to the beautifully coloured detail in the foreground works very well in my opinion. And to top it off, the curled whisker! Very nicely done.
Really enjoying your Seal images Brendan. Lovely pose and the IQ is very impressive
My kind of image Brendan, a very nice portrait of this animal. Just watch how you apply any treatment to the BKG, ie NR or blurring as it might look too good, if you know what I mean.![]()
Depending on the location perhaps some wider shots might also be worth trying, offering more of an environmental/habit style, or where the wind whips up the sand can give some very atmospheric scenes too. At 1/100 sec HH excellent, if you want to do more can suggest a good support for this kind of work if you are interested.
TFS
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
I like the Zorro mask! It is a fine portrait very nicely executed. The coloured seaweed in the foreground really sets it off very well and the face is very endearing with those big eyes. Very well done!
Gerald
I really like he POV & the head on look of this image. Very well captured.
Andrew
Thanks folks, much appreciated!
Steve, thank you for your good advice. If I have to run NR (or blur) I always do it as a layer selection so I can reveal areas where I don't want it. I did that the first time, and tried to keep more details in the middle transition area. However, after a few processing evolutions, the file developed some noise & banding and I had to run NR a second time, and forgot to reveal the transition area.
There was some flying sand in this shot, but it was from the other seals that I removed for this comp. I debated keeping one of seals in, but there was just not enough of him. Wish I had taken a few wider frames.
I was thinking of getting some type of ground pod, and would be open to any suggestions you have.
Being only 30 min. away, La Jolla, CA is a good training site for me to learn. Lots of seals, pelicans, cormorants, and other creatures.
Hi Brendan, I will drop you a line, as we have similar thoughts.
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Hi Brendan,
I like your seal portrait. The central position adds to the composition and I like the detail, background and the wonderful low POV.
I like the aforementioned Zorro mask, or did it come from Phantom of the Opera.
Well done and thanks for sharing,
Mark.
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Thanks, Mark - Yes, Gerald's Zorro reference is a good one for this young one - a bit cleaner look than the phantom. I'm sure they are immediate family! The moulting process can create some interesting features, and boy do they scratch!
Brendan - I'm a little late to this but really like the image. It all works for me here - pov, dof, exp. The curled whisker just takes this over the top.
TFS,
Rachel
Sweet shot Brendan. The angle of the body is nicely, slightly angled, the subject is sharp and engaging, and the BG is smooth, creamy, and nicely colored to compliment the seal. I also like the contrast of color and texture of the FG sand with the BG. Nice.![]()
Brendan, this series of yours is really good.
Warm, intimate and gives a real sense of environment and dignity to these animals
Very well done.
Dan Kearl
Love the low angle and pose here Brendan, as well as the lovely hues in the BG. Breathing space is just right for me...
Thanks, Rachel, Steve, Dan, & Morkel, much appreciated!