Dolphin Sunburst

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 12, 2015198 views10 comments

Another Pacific white-sided dolphin in glassy water. It was really challenging light on this day. I had to tone down the highlights quite a lot, but I still feel they are a bit hot. I feel my ISO was probably too high while shooting, but I pushed it up feeling I was compensating for shutter speed. Any feedback appreciated!

~Camera and Settings~
Body: Pentax K5iis
Lens: Pentax DA 55-300mm
55mm, ISO 800, f/11, 1/2000 sec.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Don McVee on December 13, 2015 at 1:35 AM

A beautiful photograph with perfect timing. The complementary curved lines form a rythmic and balanced whole. The slightly hot highlights add just the right amount of sparkle, in my humble opinion. Did I say I like it?

Registered on November 28, 2015, 5 Posts, 19 Comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on December 13, 2015 at 2:05 AM

Katie,

I like the pose, the splashing water, and colors of the calm sea. The darker area below the head ( a shade ... ) looks a bit strange to me, but I have to say I do not have much experience photography wildlife at sea and that may be how shades look on water.

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 13, 2015 at 3:36 PM

Hi Katie,

Great timing and I'm in agreement with Don that the highlights and "sparkles" (and that sunburst) add very nicely to this shot. This one works very well for me. My only minor "in a perfect world" wish for this image would be to have slightly more room on the bottom and slightly less on top (right now it feels a little too much to me that the dolphin is leaving the frame). But that's simply a personal preference issue...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 14, 2015 at 2:40 AM

Katie,
Fabulous shot, what an amazing sea!

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on December 14, 2015 at 1:35 PM

Hello Katie,... well captured, with the hilites and timing!

thanks for sharing

Bill
www.BillBickle.com

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on December 15, 2015 at 3:22 AM

This is a gorgeous stop action scene with lots of great water and light effects, Katie! Beatuiful colors and nice sharp focus also. I think you did an excellent job with the processing also and I wouldn't worry about the small amount of clipping in the spray highlights. With direct sunlight, even your own eyes will blow out those type of highlights because it's like looking directly into little tiny suns! This would look great on a wall! devil

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 15, 2015 at 9:19 PM

Love this one Katie. The sparkling water droplets really send this one over the top IMO. I also thought the same thing as Brad about wishing for a tiny bit more room on bottom, but it still works as posted also. Very nice image!

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on December 17, 2015 at 1:28 PM

Love it. Great timing. I like the diagonal incoming composition and the wonderful water color. Highlights look OK to me.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on December 18, 2015 at 3:47 PM

I think it came out beautifully Katie and the highlights are not bothering me at all ......... Well Done !! <div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Katie Jones on December 19, 2015 at 10:28 AM

Thank you so much for your feedback, everyone. Very appreciated. Cheers! :)

Registered on November 17, 2015, 17 Posts, 91 Comments