Taking the Plunge!

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 3, 2012539 views13 comments

Taking the Plunge!

I thought it would be appropriate to keep Morkel's "lion in flight" theme going - this one of the SEA lion variety!!

If I was ever asked what I liked most about photographing Steller Sea Lions at their breeding colonies or the haul-out rocks where they congregate I'd say just this: "Amazing energy and amazing dynamics!" The habitat in which they're found has rocky shorelines, is often very isolated and exposed with huge breaking waves...and totally salty! You can't get much more of a dynamic and energy-filled setting. And, the sea lions themselves...they seem like they're in a constant state of "pending eruption". One moment they're peacefully sleeping and the next they're striking out with their razor-sharp teeth at their clumsy neighbour that accidentally bumped up against them. Just so darned dynamic!

This high contrast image is one of my favourite sea lion "enviroscapes". To me it captures a little of the dynamism and energy that characterizes life in a sea lion colony. In this image one sea lion has just completed a huge belly-flop into the sea and two others (a chunky male and more slender female) are in mid-flight towards the water below. Three others - partially obscured by the water splashed up by the first diving lion - seem to be debating what to do next...

Subject: Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus) taking flight
Location: Northern Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VRII lens - hand-held from Zodiac. VR on and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/1250s @ f8; ISO 320. No compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Full frame horizontally - small crop off bottom

Additional details about the image (including processing details) available here:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/.

Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so! This is one where I wish I could post a full resolution version - in it you can make out fine details on the whiskers of the 3 "semi-obscured" lions.

Cheers...thanks for looking...

Brad

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 3, 2012 at 8:07 PM

Love the action - the shapes/lines and the splash. I do wish for some warmer light or well, more light in general as the image a little dark. The water which is splashing appears to be blue/grey where I would expect it to be more white (though I've never been there, so of course I'll defer!)

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

Comment posted by Guy Runco on December 3, 2012 at 10:07 PM

Cool shot Brad, such an energetic subject. I like the dark bg, but the splashing water does seem to have a slightly over-burned look to it (to my eye at least

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on December 3, 2012 at 11:02 PM

Wonderful action shot really highlighted by the splash of water. Superb work as usual!

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 4, 2012 at 4:36 AM

You really need to look at the large version to really appreciate this photo. I like it as presented. The splash in the foreground makes this image for me. Great action and color in the sea lions.

Awesome Photo Brad

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on December 4, 2012 at 7:39 AM

I just love the splash and action! The sea Lion visible through the splash adds to the image.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 4, 2012 at 1:50 PM

This is a very unique and cool image I think Brad. The dark BG really focuses all the attention on the action. I agree with other comments made on the brightness (or rather darkness) of the water and really that is the only thing I would change.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 4, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Awesome photo Brad. I really like way the subjects and splash stand out against the inky black background. It is interesting that you shot this on no exposure compensation from matrix metering; I would say this is a great example of experience in knowing when to "not" override the camera. (Or experience, plus a few trial exposures and a quick peak at the LCD...

) I would also suggest pushing the whites a little more to add some sparkle. Great timing with this photo btw.
(Completely off subject, but any experience creating large prints with the D4?)

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on December 5, 2012 at 12:51 AM

One really needs to see the larger image to really appreciate this. The dark bg helps to show off the spray in a spectacular fashion, and the way those sea lions are emerging from the spray just before splashing down is so action-filled. What I like about this image also is the 'space' that the sea lions have to the right of the frame to dive into, unlike Morkel's 'plain' (not sea-!) lion.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 5, 2012 at 9:04 AM

Hey all,

Thanks for the feedback - always appreciated. A few specific responses...

1. On the brightness of the splashing water: Rendering as it as seen was intentional. There are true whites (good ol' 255-255-255's!) in there, as well as some slightly darker shades. Rendering it brighter did two things - it blew out detail and - in my opinion - took too much attention away from the rest of the image. And it made it more difficult to see the 3 sea lions "hiding" behind behind the water. Always compromises!

2. To Gary: Yep, have printed many large prints captured with D4 - has worked out great. Maybe you should email me if you have specific questions? Today is the deadline for public input to BC's new draft wolf "management" plan and I'm kinda up to my eyeballs rally support against the plan (details on my blog), but I'll definitely be able to get back to you in a day or two.

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on December 5, 2012 at 2:31 PM

Spectacular image! I love the action, you really nailed the timing on this one! Another one of your images that I'm jealous of

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 6, 2012 at 8:07 AM

The torpedo shapes streaking off the rock are the key subjects, but I most appreciate the color and texture of the water where the belly flopper landed!

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 8, 2012 at 4:52 PM

I love the way the dark water and background complement the splashes and the moving sea lions, Brad.
This would make a very nice fine art B&W too

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 10, 2012 at 2:09 PM

Very dynamic image with the outstretched poses and crashing wave, Brad. Perfect shutter speed to freeze the wave. Nice to get eyes of all three seals.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments