"Coming Through" - Puffin

Photo of a puffin I managed to capture on his way to its burrow,which is the space to the bottom centre of the frame, taken on Skomer at the 'Wick' I got there as early as I could as come 11 c'clock you cannot move there, with my 600 I was able to stay at a respectable distance from the puffins and still get the shots I wanted. I used F4 for the speed as they come ashore very fast,avoiding the gulls who try to steal their sandeels by mobbing them, and straight down their burrows before you can blink.All comments and advice very welcome as this is why I joined UKNP,and to learn from my peers, Thank you

Techs;
Nikon D300
Nikon 600VR
F4,1/1600
Iso 400
PP-CS3,Full Frame/No Crop

Just a big crop to isolate the head would be better I think.That's what you are trying to show.
The bright feet feet drag my eyes too much and it would eliminate all the bottom stuff too which is not needed..
JohnR

I had that in mind but kept it how it was shot as this photograph tell's a story I feel

A different Puffin, which isn't easy, perhaps a tad high.

Cracking shot and one I would be very pleased to have taken, but I do agree with John with regard to the OOF feet drawing the eye.



dennis

Hi Craig,

Welcome back. I think the image is good as it is. From what you've explained I think the ground in the foreground is good at representing how fast the Puffins nip down their burrows after landing. The birds eyes appear to be focused on the ground (perhaps that's because they're not the most steady little things.

Cheers,

Chris

Hello Craig.

I find this image is just fine as is. Yes you could do a closeup of the head and sandeels but it just becomes another Puffin portrait. The OOF feet are not a problem you just need to tone them down so they dont pull the eye, I think the pose and the forgroud are just right as you said it was on its way to the burrow. And thats just what this image says to me. Very nice background as well.

Hi Craig I too don't have a problem with the crop as it stands, but I do see Johns point. Saying that, a really tight crop of the head would be good to see, even just as an experiment.

Steve

Looks ok for me Craig if I was going to alter anything perhaps a small amount of the right so the subject doesnt appear too central.

Major

Thank you all, and all points taken on board, the puffin was traveling so fast, looking back I was lucky to have got anything in focus . Toned down the legs the best I could without draining the colour out of other areas,Thanks again

Great as it is. I don't think you have much to learn in terms of composition and timing. I like this as presented. A crop would just be another head shot, this tells the story of the puffin about to enter it's burrow.

It's a nice sharp image and shows those sand eels off well. A prize catch! Hindsight is always good but I would have stopped down a bit I think at 1600th but then I probably would have come away with a blurred image.
Saying that, I'm impressed the eyes, bill and eels are all in focus at f4 which is why this image works regardless of the feet.

Nice one Craig

I think this is a superb wildlife shot as it is. The bare earth at the mouth of the burrow is an important element and is in focus as well.The face catches the eye first because it is so sharp. Whether you selected F4 for the speed or not, it was a good decision, because it has thrown the rest Oof nicely. Top Shot.
Eric

I really like the original image, think you've got the composition, focus and timing just right, as others have said. For me, the colour of the feet and legs seemed fine as puffins really do have outrageously colourful legs!

Hi Craig.
Like it just as it is ,excellent.

Keith.

As is, your repost is an improvement with the feet drawing the a lot less...

Nice one

I like the composition - it gives an impression you're in the burrow! Repost is better for me - great stuff!