Investigating looks

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 18, 2013513 views6 comments

No, I was not on my belly amongst these smelly critters, but on a board walk operating my camera on a tripod, upside down via a release. The flash gun head was resting on the ground.

The weather was cold, dreadful and very dark (as is mostly the case on the Namibian coast) and therefore I used some flash to light up the subjects a bit.

It was interesting to observe totally different behaviours towards my camera. Some were totally not bothered, others were a bit afraid of it and moved away, whilst others give it some curious and investigating looks and some individuals even attacked it. Thus I had to be ready all the time to pull it up in time, which did not make this any easier.

Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus)
Cape Cross Seal Colony, Namibia
Camera Model Canon EOS 1D X
Shutter Speed 1/250 Sec.
Aperture Value f/16
ISO Speed 1600
Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM @ 20mm
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT
Camera upside down on tripod,
remote cable release
FF

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 18, 2013 at 3:30 PM

Good to see some different wildlife Vincent.
Nice subtle colours and great detail.
The expressions on the two seals seem be completely different, but who knows what they are really thinking.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 19, 2013 at 12:14 AM

Vincent, your contortions with the tripod were absolutely worth all the trouble, this is so well done. Could use maybe a pinch more room at the bottom, but I assume by the curious expression of that main seal that he was inching towards your gear. I think he wanted to eat your flash.

Nice use of the wide angle lens while not distorting things excessively.

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

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on June 19, 2013 at 8:12 AM

I really like this shot Vincent, and for me its the inquisitive looks on the two seals that make this image. I also like the low POV and imho, the subtle colours free from harsh shadow seem to compliment the bland sky. Overall a very innovative and pleasing image.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Ellen deBoer on June 22, 2013 at 7:13 AM

Fantastic image, Vincent! The look in those eyes is so fierce. Very well worked with the low angle. I love it.

Registered on March 16, 2006, 419 Posts, 2076 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 23, 2013 at 5:02 PM

This works well on every level. Just love that "killer seal" look, I get the feeling you had to pull the rig up shortly after this frame?

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 24, 2013 at 2:22 PM

Truly superb comp with two posing subjects, amidst that sea of possibles!

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