Come Here Boys!

Hi Joe! I like this, so I guess my vote is in the "it works" camp. I am wondering if you had any additional space to allow for a crop that isn't QUITE this tight, particularly to allow the full wave/splash to show on the right. I'm also seeing a lot of magenta in this, and also noticed some fringing (CA) on the fin (I'm guessing a hint at a signficant crop?). Personally, I think this is a strong enough image to deserve a second go at this in processing, using the lens correction for CA on whatever software you are using, and playing with the crop positioning a bit just in case something jumps out at you as an improvement. Another thought is the fin is extremely dark, not showing much detail. I'm wondering if you can open this up a little in your processing...mostly it looks like you've got some pretty heavy contrast going on here, evidenced by the fin's reflection as well.

I hope that doesn't all sound overly critical! It's quite the opposite in fact: I really like this in concept and the strong graphic statement of what you've captured and presented and because of that, I think this has more potential than has been realized here.

As an aside, I'm highly jealous. On my one outing to date for whales off the coast of Vancouver Island, our guide decided to follow some transient orcas instead of head out in hopes of some sightings of humpbacks. I was happy to have the experience with the orcas, but was really hoping to see both. Hey...maybe next time!

I, too, would like to see more of the splash - but it still works for me.
HollyMorris

Hi Joe, I have looked at this twice and, honestly, do not know what to think about this. Yes, it is creative in a way as mostly with whale photographs we see the pectoral fin, so I applaud you for trying a different take. However, the image does not move me. John's suggestions may improve the looks of this though and make me change my mind.

I think this works fine as part of the story or a series of images showing more of the whale. However, as a stand alone, I think the effect is mostly perplexing as most of us would have no idea what we are seeing.

Thanks for the feedback folks! I am definitely conflicted on this one but I've been struggling to find a compelling image from the otherwise great few hours we spent watching the whales. They are such a challenging subject given that except in the rare instances when they breach all you see are tiny little slivers of their overall body. I'll try re-working the photo using these suggestions when I get back home and maybe post one or two more that show a bit more of the whale than just a fin.