Curious Dolphin

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 21, 2015144 views8 comments

This is a curious Pacific white-sided dolphin I photographed British Columbia. They were surfing the wake in front of our zodiac boat and I was leaning over the front of the boat to catch this shot. The water was glassy-calm and you could see the reflection of clouds in the water. I am bummed that I did not have a more wide-angle lens on my camera when I took this, but I still like the way it came out.
~Camera and Settings~
Body: Pentax K7
Lens: Pentax DA 55-300mm
55mm, ISO 400, f/4.0, 1/1250 sec

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 21, 2015 at 4:09 PM

Katie, this works very well for me because it works on two levels: as a great intimate, eye-view of the subject, but also as a graphic design, with the second dolphin reduced to compositional elements along with the clouds. Noteworthy are the fins sweeping into and from corners, the long diagonal of the body, swirls of clouds in the negative space, the triangular strength of the head of the primary dolphin and a well placed eye in the total composition. devil

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 21, 2015 at 5:41 PM

Because there's sort of an abstract feel to this and the image succeeds due to the shapes and lines of the dolphins, I'd suggest cropping off the empty water on the right. That would help emphasize the graphic nature of the animals even more.

Max

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 21, 2015 at 8:38 PM

Katie, I have to agree with Lon on this. The graphic look of this is what makes it even more special to me. Love the view from the dolphin as well. I like the comp as posted. Very nicely done!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on November 21, 2015 at 9:01 PM

Katie: I don't think you missed a thing by not having used a more wide angle lens for this photo. You've captured the essential information which tells us that it is a dolphin and equally importantly, you captured a surreal setting for the dolphin (which includes the mid body of another dolphin). Don't change a thing. It's a wall hanger. Congrats!! Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on November 22, 2015 at 12:38 AM

Hi Katie and welcome to NPN! I know this isn't your first post, but it's the first I've had the opportunity to comment on.

This is simply stunning. Just beautiful. I love the graphic feel that others have mentioned already, and the overall tones and colour palette. The shapes and swirls and balance is something special. I don't know if you're into photography competitions, but I would definitely be entering this in a few of the best ones.

Outstanding work!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 22, 2015 at 3:36 AM

Katie,

what I like about this image is that it has a very artistical look, like a painting. Well done devil

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 22, 2015 at 9:45 AM

Simply beautiful. I love how you have the head of one and the body of the other - letting the viewer put them together

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

Comment posted by Gary Minish on November 24, 2015 at 8:08 PM

I like the way it turned out also, Katie! It has a very graphical, artistic look. Nice face detail despite being under water and an excellent exposure. It's a winner for me! devil

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments