The Volunteer

Ha!

Thanks for making me have to look up "pinniped" as well.

This is actually a really cool image thanks to the repeating patterns of the seals, the perfect lighting and processing IMO, and the great forms, textures and contrast. In fact, I almost wonder if the same image without the raised "hand" would be an even stronger wildlife image. I also wonder if you could change the comp in a way that added some weight or impact to the raised flipper. I'm really just thinking out loud here...it's a compelling image as presented and has great techs and appeal.

Agreeing with John about the sense of pattern that makes this work...but rather than wondering about how it would look without an upraised flipper, I am left wondering if eventually one would have given an upraised head? In a perfect world...

Hey Craig,

While this shot might be humorous to you - I think it's just great! Love the repeating pattern, the textures are fantastic, and the one lone raised paw (on the volunteer) adds just the right amount of tension to the image to make it work really well for me. There is SO MUCH to look at in this shot. While I always have a tough time evaluating the merit of going B&W without seeing the colour original, I can say that this shot works really well for me in B&W (and is the kind of shot that seems tailor-made for B&W conversion). My only VERY small nit is the rock in the lower right corner that breaks the pattern of the seals (but I can see that it would be challenging to crop this out - it would leave the paw so low in the frame (if you cropped from the bottom up) or in an odd aspect ratio (if you cropped from the right).

Thumbs up on this one! Thanks for sharing it.

Brad

I really like this Craig, well seen and well converted!
Ditto on having to look up "pinniped"

Really liking this one Craig. I am fine with the raised flipper, but like Lon, wonder how it would have looked if one raised a head? The rock on the lower right isn't perfect, but also not so noticeable wight he B&W conversion. Great eye seeing and creating this image.

You have a winner here, Craig!

Love it!
"Hey! Hey, how about a little more breathing room here!"
How exciting to come upon this sight, is my reaction, and wonderful to see there are so many there! congrats on the experience, as well as the Pick!

Thank you all for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback. To be honored with a WP in this gallery is an unexpected honor. One of the best decisions I ever made was to join NPN--the opportunity to learn from others is tremendous; so thank you also for the lessons by example that you all have provided, as well as for the feedback.

For those who have wondered about other possible comps. I do have a couple of similar shots with a single head raised above the crowd, but in both cases the subject was right on the edge of the frame, so the impact just wasn't there.

Really awesome. Well done photo, with great timing. Congrats on the WP.