Posted by Lee fisher on September 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM
This image was captured last year at Donna Nook in Lincolnshire and shows a newborn Grey seal sleeping through a sandstorm.
SHOT INFO
Canon 5D Mark II
Lens - EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Total Focal Length - 700.0mm
Shooting Mode - Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/640
Av( Aperture Value ) - 8.0
Metering Mode - Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation - 0
ISO Speed - 160
Please see gallery for large version (1200pix)
There has been alot of controversy in regards to photographers going out onto the outer seal colony and I myself have been out and witnessed some bad behaviour, although it has to be said it was a minority.
I saw a macro lens literally on the nose of a newborn seal.
Groups commenting on how cute the pups were and how they wanted to stroke them.
Though the biggest problem I saw was photographers using the correct field craft to approach the seals, to then take shots outside of the seals personal safety zone,then retreat away in a correct manor only to be copied by the next person who thinks they know what they're doing because they saw someone else have a go. It was like a conveyor belt of photographers waiting for their turn on one specific occasion.
Now I'm not proclaiming to be above and beyond the issues as I realise my presence on the outer colony was also contributing towards the issue.
All I can say for certain is that my shots were taken outside of the seals personal safety zones (minimum of 500mm used and most with 1.4 x teleconverter attached-700mm)
I don't know what the answer is to this issue, as it will be a real shame if photographers are prohibited from using the beach area as it is a magnificent spectacle to watch and can yield great photos.
Maybe a stricter warden presence on the beach would help but primarily an understanding for the subject is a must as too many people push the boundaries in search of "The shot" and the animal safety has to come first.
With greater numbers gathering to see the seals each year comes a greater responsibilty to educate the visitors and protect the environment they live in.
There is a certain level of irony in the fact that the great photos taken on the outer colony by conscientious photograhers over the years have provided such a good advertising campain for Donna Nook that they could be contributing towards the demise of this prescious environment .
In my opinion it very much seems a case that the senseless and thoughless few are going to ruin something very special for the masses.
Lee
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on September 17, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Great shot Lee - I noticed that you took this shot with a 500mm and 1.4x converter so you were not close to it. I agree about what a shame it would be if they shut the beach area, but it is like peopel are loving the seals to death...
Oscar
Posted by Karen Summers on September 17, 2010 at 1:06 PM
The wildlife should always come first but some just don t see it like that as long as they get their shot they couldn t care less, good job not everyone is the same so good for you for not getting so close, lovely image
Posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 17, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Very nice
It's the same story everywhere, a small minority spoil if for the majority.
Hope they don't stop people going there, that would be a shame.
Well captured.
Geoff.
Posted by Neil Burton on September 17, 2010 at 4:36 PM
I have never been, despite living and working in Hull for a couple of years not so long back...I just can't stand to watch idiots and Donna Nook is a magnet for them. But then on the Galapagos Islands similar things happen, even with the guide nearby, people do what they want...guides depend on the tourists for a job, so it is not often they have a go at anyone. Nowhere is exempt from idiots.
Great shot by the way, the tones are complimentary.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 18, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Beautiful shot Lee, lovely light on the seal
Very well put Lee, I've only been to Donna Nook on one occasion and that was mid week when the flats are closed, there were still idots there, reaching over the fences trying to touch the pups.
A very nice image Lee. Lovely muted tones. Glad to see you kept your distance. There is a very interesting two page article in Outdoor Photographer about Donno Nook. There are going to be much stricter controls in place from now on. A good job too. Thanks to irresponsible "photographers" who get too close to the pups and separate them from their mothers has resulted in an increase of pup fatalities over the past couple of years. There is just no need for this but as Karen has said you always get the few who will do anything to get their shot.
Discussion
6 repliesSHOT INFO
Canon 5D Mark II
Lens - EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Total Focal Length - 700.0mm
Shooting Mode - Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/640
Av( Aperture Value ) - 8.0
Metering Mode - Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation - 0
ISO Speed - 160
Please see gallery for large version (1200pix)
There has been alot of controversy in regards to photographers going out onto the outer seal colony and I myself have been out and witnessed some bad behaviour, although it has to be said it was a minority.
I saw a macro lens literally on the nose of a newborn seal.
Groups commenting on how cute the pups were and how they wanted to stroke them.
Though the biggest problem I saw was photographers using the correct field craft to approach the seals, to then take shots outside of the seals personal safety zone,then retreat away in a correct manor only to be copied by the next person who thinks they know what they're doing because they saw someone else have a go. It was like a conveyor belt of photographers waiting for their turn on one specific occasion.
Now I'm not proclaiming to be above and beyond the issues as I realise my presence on the outer colony was also contributing towards the issue.
All I can say for certain is that my shots were taken outside of the seals personal safety zones (minimum of 500mm used and most with 1.4 x teleconverter attached-700mm)
I don't know what the answer is to this issue, as it will be a real shame if photographers are prohibited from using the beach area as it is a magnificent spectacle to watch and can yield great photos.
Maybe a stricter warden presence on the beach would help but primarily an understanding for the subject is a must as too many people push the boundaries in search of "The shot" and the animal safety has to come first.
With greater numbers gathering to see the seals each year comes a greater responsibilty to educate the visitors and protect the environment they live in.
There is a certain level of irony in the fact that the great photos taken on the outer colony by conscientious photograhers over the years have provided such a good advertising campain for Donna Nook that they could be contributing towards the demise of this prescious environment .
In my opinion it very much seems a case that the senseless and thoughless few are going to ruin something very special for the masses.
Lee
Oscar
It's the same story everywhere, a small minority spoil if for the majority.
Hope they don't stop people going there, that would be a shame.
Well captured.
Geoff.
Great shot by the way, the tones are complimentary.
Beautiful shot Lee, lovely light on the seal
Very well put Lee, I've only been to Donna Nook on one occasion and that was mid week when the flats are closed, there were still idots there, reaching over the fences trying to touch the pups.
Andy...