Grey Seal Release

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 30, 201075 views6 comments

From July 11, a Grey Seal was released into the wild after being rehabbed by the Riverhead Foundation.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH
f/8
1/1250s
ISO 640
-.33 EC

Added canvas from the whiskers up using a cut/paste from the prior frame, cropped a little from the left and bottom, essentially full frame with the added pixels on top.

Sharpened with Smart Sharpen and 2 rounds of USM. Controlled highlights on head using refine radius selection and levels adjustment

27" iMac + CS5

- Luke

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 1, 2010 at 4:56 AM

The low pov and the frozen droplets of water really make this for me, Luke. A fine shot.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on December 1, 2010 at 12:08 PM

A great story to hear and wonderful image. I like the frozen water, and thanks for the added processing info.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 2, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Lovely light you had here Luke; I remember you mentioning before that most these seal releases are done at midday hours, but it looks like this was a bit later? Either way you handled the light nicely. I do wish the seal would have had an ever so slight head turn towards the viewer, which would have made the eye that is now shaded more prominent. Despite that this is a nice portrait though.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 2, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Thanks Vincent. Yes, the releases are almost always at 12-12:30, but for whatever reason this one was at 4 and boy was I grateful!

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 2, 2010 at 7:41 PM

Nice work Luke, like that water action and the seals marbled coat..
Great job adding the canvas,
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 3, 2010 at 11:09 AM

I love that splash of water and the details in the skin. Excellent close-up.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments