Combat #3

This must have been interesting to watch Lucy. I like the clear view of the open mouth and the FG textures of the beach. Exposure is spot-on. I don't think the FL used is a limitation as such (unless this is a large crop), but a different angle/POV could have resulted in a totally different image. It looks like you were shooting down from a higher vantage point, but a view from the beach would have been better in this case I think.

Hi Lucy. Vincent makes some excellent points. I'd be fine with using the 70-200 for this situation, it works having some room for habitat around the subjects, unless you had a completely different tight frame image in mind. The way these guys are positioned I think you would have a hard time having enough dof with something like a 500mm at this distance for a decent "bodies only" image. A wide angle with you positioned at the waterline on the other hand.....that would be different. I'm not sure about the placement of the subjects in the frame; I'm grateful you didn't plop them in the middle but for some reason although I wonder if the composition might benefit for these guys to be positioned in the lower left corner. To me there appears to be an implied movement to the right and as is they seem to be escaping the frame. This isn't photographic dogma, just one man's thoughts.
ps. A larger view is usually helpful, I've become spoiled viewing those 1200 pix longest side images for proper critique.

Thanks guys for checking in. For the protection of the seals there's no beach access. The best & only view is on a cliff, not too high, and off to the right, so my angle was limited.
I shot a fast-burst series of their tussle & noticed only when I uploaded that the big guy who picked the fight was the one who ended up being chased off into the ocean. Amazing animals—they can dive over 5000 feet and hold their breath for an hour and a half. Not bad for a mammal.

lucy

Cool experience! Thanks for sharing. I echo the wish for a different perspective.