Splash

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 20, 2010170 views6 comments

Well all of the elements came together for me this morning. I have been frustrated all winter with my seal photography. The few times I made it out to Montauk (60 miles East, the "end" of Long Island) no seals were hauled out due to various weather conditions. In order for them to be out it must be low tide, with S or SW winds, abundant sunshine and warm air temps. Today I had all that PLUS a rising sun and 5 seals climbed out on the rocks to show off for me.

I found a nice big rock at the waters edge and climbed on top which gave me a perfect vantage for several haul out rocks. It took some patience for the lighting to get right and once it did some rollers started to come in which resulted in this shot. This is one of many over the next few weeks and I'm happy to get this monkey off my back!(Guess I didn't need that 600mm after all

)

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH from rock
f/8
1/640s
ISO 250
-.67 EC

Full Frame, selectively sharpened, no other adjustments

- Luke

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 20, 2010 at 6:31 PM

I bet this was a fun experience watching and photographing the seals. Interesting composition, although the seal is slightly centered.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 20, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Cool shot! It looks like the seal is really enjoying the wave washing over him. When I first looked at it I thought the seal was hitching a ride on a whales back. I'm sure that is highly improbable but that was my first impression.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 20, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Good job, Luke. I like how you caught the water washing over the seal and I like his/her curving shape. You got some nice warm light, a highlight in his eye and some ripples in the splash! My only nit would be that the head and splash are so near center.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 21, 2010 at 4:37 AM

Very cool Luke, your timing was just right! The light is good, focus spot an and exposure perfect. My only suggestion would be to crop a bit off the left and bottom to get the seal off center and slightly bigger in the frame.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 21, 2010 at 9:22 AM

Hey Luke,

Hmmm...perhaps if the subject was a little more dominant in the frame - like it would be with a 600mm lens - then this would work for me...

(kidding, kidding).

My thoughts on this image are similar to what has already been expressed by the others (the "little too centered thing") so won't go into that. I do like the shot overall and share your feelings that this one is significantly more interesting than some of the other shots - glad your hard work paid off! I'm wondering if there is a little too much space ABOVE the subject - perhaps cropping some off the top (and going a little more pano-like) would strengthen this image? The line of the rock the seal is on would support this...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Day on March 21, 2010 at 11:24 AM

I'd say all the elements did come together for you. Great lighting and nice comp with good detail in water and seal.

Registered on August 5, 2008, 25 Posts, 173 Comments