Black Guillemot - on ice

Gallery: AvianPosted November 17, 201593 views12 comments

Early one morning when the majority were still fast asleep, Ronald, Hendric and myself took the zodiac out for a quick scout and to see what was there. The shoreline was peppered with floating ice swept in by the wind, as pack ice can move very quickly, trust me. As we approached one significant piece this Black Guillemot decided it was time to leave. Shooting from a moving rib it challenging at the best of times, shooting something that is black in a white environment just ramps up the challenge to nail the exposure, I think this s in 'breeding' plumage?

Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image.

Steve

Subject: Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille) running on the pack ice
Location: Svalbard
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 1.4HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/5.6 ISO400 (could have easily gone to 800 for a higher SS)
Original format: Landscape, cropped for presentation
Processed: LRCC & PS CC2015

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 17, 2015 at 8:24 AM

Stephen,

in my opinion you managed the technical part very well, since detail in the brighter and darker areas are well seen.

What I miss is the eye, as it looks as it if is closed ...

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on November 17, 2015 at 11:32 AM

Great image, excellent exposed (though I would suggest everyone to check the larger version since it's even more clearly showing the details in the blacks). Love it, Steve! Cheers, Hans devil

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Zimic on November 17, 2015 at 11:47 AM

A black and white bird on snow - now that's a challenge that you've done a great job with. Cheers. devil

Registered on November 23, 2003, 176 Posts, 727 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 17, 2015 at 12:23 PM

Cheers folks, a lot of opportunities with these guys for sure and yes, this one was more of a challenge, everything else was fairly straight forward in exposures for other shots, if the scene is slightly overcast then really it's a breeze to nail it.

Many thanks Hans, please all view the larger version.

cheers
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 17, 2015 at 12:27 PM

Glad I waited to comment on this until I could look at it on my calibrated monitor, Steve. Superb job pulling out all that detail in both the blacks and the whites. Excellent work.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 17, 2015 at 12:30 PM

Our postings must have crossed, but thanks Dennis. devil

Not sure if next time I should go for the more 'pedestrian', or the 'arty' one cool

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 17, 2015 at 6:48 PM

Nice work on a very tough exposure. And good work getting a Guillemot walking; that doesn't happen often.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 18, 2015 at 1:21 AM

Steve,

as recommended by others I have opened the bigger version of the picture and noticed that the eye is open. It just looks a bit strange due to the reflections in it enlightened

Again, well done especially considering the given contrast.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 20, 2015 at 2:43 PM

Nice job on the exposure Steve. I also like the raised foot and downhill slope he is trotting along.

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on November 21, 2015 at 3:07 PM

Great the way you exposed this Steve,even in those conditions you have got some real image qaulity.
Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 21, 2015 at 3:41 PM

Cheers guys. devil

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 22, 2015 at 4:52 PM

I love the simplicity of this, beautiful shot. Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments