Rockhopper penguin

Gallery: AvianPosted May 5, 2014450 views9 comments

Went with Joseph Van Os safaris in November for a mont-long visit to the Antarctica, including Falklands, South Georgia and mainland Antarctica. Was able to photograph 7 different species of penguins, of which rockhopper penguins were residents of the Falklands.
Species: Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)
Location: The Falklands
Camera details: Canon 1DX, Canon 300 f2.8 lens
Specs: ISO 400, f5.6, 1/1000s, eval metering, +0.67 exp comp, aperture priority, Gitzo tripod, Wimberley head

Thank you for taking the time out to look, and for your comments/critiques.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on May 5, 2014 at 2:30 PM

This is REALLY nice. Love the look back pose, the deep blue background and the OOF bush (or whatever it is) that mimics the shape of the back of the penguin. Excellent details in all the tones. Very nice. (PS - the Purchase print link doesn't work for this image)

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 5, 2014 at 6:05 PM

Hello Ajit

First time seeing this specimen. Great look-back pose.
Would enjoy a Larger version here?

Not knowing this area but seems Quite Harsh and maybe some areas could be toned down a bit, like its tops of feet.
Really think you have a winner here with some minor adjustments

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on May 5, 2014 at 6:34 PM

Great Pose. The techs and detail look good. Maybe pull back on the brightest highlights a touch but minor nit.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on May 6, 2014 at 8:41 PM

Beautiful mix of colors. I suppose there are a couple spots where the highlights might be a tick too bright (I didn't immediately notice this until reading Bill's response). It does look like the dark tones may have been brought up a bit much and it could use a little more contrast, but overall I find this very pleasing.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 7, 2014 at 12:14 AM

what's not to like about this wild looking penguin. They have attitude which shines through the image.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 7, 2014 at 1:03 AM

Excellent work, especially at isolating a single bird like this. In Rockhopper colonies, it's very difficult to get a single bird. Also nice management of that strong light. And love the windblown look in the crown feathers.

Which island, if I might ask?

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 7, 2014 at 5:28 AM

Thank you for all your positive comments/critiques. Keith, the 'purchase link' is my email id. If anyone is interested in purchasing this, or any other prints, can write to me and I shall arrange for the prints to be shipped out.

Jim Dewitt, I am not sure which island this was shot on. I just know it was in the Falklands. Sorry

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 7, 2014 at 11:25 AM

I like the look back pose and the wild hairdo goes without saying

Especially pleasing BG & comp..
Detail looks good at this size, would like to see a LP version Ajit

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

Comment posted by May Haga on May 8, 2014 at 1:39 AM

Very, very cool. The wind blown hair makes the shot for me.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments