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Puffin in flight

Discussion

10 replies
Posted by Robert Lawrence on July 11, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Puffin in flight
Despite having a great time on the Farne Islands recently I have to admit to being dissapointed with the results of my Puffin in Flight shots. Apart from the usual difficulties of targeting small and very fast flying birds I also found it very frustrating trying to get any decent backgrounds because of the weather. When I was concentrating on getting the bird it was all too easy to end up with a miserable grey background. I think I need to go over to my local colony on Skomer for some more practice!
exp 1/1000 @f5.6 iso 400
EOS 20D
Sigma 100-300 f4 @ 300
Hand held.
Posted by Paul Inglis on July 11, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Oh Robert, I have absolute sympathy for you! However do bear in mind this year the weather has been rather less than generous. I think every photographer has had some weather related compromise in order to obtain a decent image! In my honest opinion you’ve done it here and achieved a belting image despite the adverse weather! If anything this year is taxing our processing skills! A slight increase in contrast will make this a killer!
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Elliott Neep on July 12, 2008 at 5:18 AM
You've nailed a great flight shot, Robert. Like the graduated background. Couldn't agree more with the above from Paul. :toast:
Posted by eric weight on July 12, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Looks a like a fine shot to me. Nice bg - at least dull grey is never going to be intrusive is it?
:wavey: Eric
Posted by Daniel Read on July 12, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Lovely shot, and the crop works really well.

Cheers,

Dan.
Posted by Kim Connolly on July 12, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Looks a cracking shot to me too. Far better than the ones I took on Anglesey which were miles away!!
Posted by PhilH on July 12, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Nothing wrong here at all, so far it hasbeen a difficult year and youhave made the very best of it here to produce a superb image... well done.

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on July 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM


Very nice flight shot Robert , Puffin looks very well against the grey BG , good work :toast:

Andy... :smile:
Posted by Paul Gibbs on July 14, 2008 at 4:54 AM
Good shot Robert, looks nice against the two tone background. The thing for Puffins, is getting your panning technique right, in order to practice this i find motor bike racing is good.
Posted by Robert Lawrence on July 14, 2008 at 5:19 AM
"The thing for Puffins, is getting your panning technique right, in order to practice this i find motor bike racing is good."

Now that would be a competition winning image I'd like to get Paul. A puffin riding a motorbike!!!

Thanks all for the comments.
Posted by Magnus Hird on July 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Robert, think you're being overly harsh on yourself - this one is great. The wing blur works well and the bright colours of the puffin are set off really nicely by the dull BG :smile: