The 'humble' Puffin

Gallery: AvianPosted June 20, 2017350 views12 comments

A fun bird to photograph and to just chill out with, too. Got to love their bills.

Steve

Subject: Puffin (Fratercula arctica) stretching his wings
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 500f/4 MKII with 1.4x MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/11 ISO3200
Original format: Landscape, very slight crop
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2017

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on June 20, 2017 at 1:20 PM

I love puffins too. Saw our first on a trip to Alaska about 11 years ago. Wonderful detail. I don't know if yoy cropped it his way, or if that is all you have, but I would love to see all of his wings. That is just me, I don't like cutting off a part of the creature. Otherwise, this I think, is an excellent capture. They do have awesome bills, and you really got the details there to enjoy.

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on June 20, 2017 at 1:38 PM

H Shirley, the ones in Alaska are slightly different from memory (???), as I had the pleasure to photograph them on a 'buffer' day before flying down to Katmai.

Very slight crop, almost FF as I was shooting a different frame prior, but quite like the slight inclusion of the part of the wings.

Thanks

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 20, 2017 at 6:03 PM

Beautiful portrait, Steve. Superb plumage detail.

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

Comment posted by Don Young on June 20, 2017 at 6:48 PM

I love these birds, but I've only seen pictures. Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to see one someday. Great detail and BG control! Great photo!

Registered on April 23, 2015, 56 Posts, 224 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on June 21, 2017 at 10:16 AM

Love Puffins. Great shot of one with excellent detail and a nice soft background.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on June 21, 2017 at 1:47 PM

Hi Steve
The framing work for me, since it's the head shot the counts on a Puffin, good work.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on June 22, 2017 at 1:09 AM

I love the this close-up Puffin portrait, Stephen! The coloring of these birds is incredible and you captured it perfectly. Who cares about the clipped wings, it's all about that face! devil

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on June 22, 2017 at 9:49 AM

Thanks Dennis & Don, much appreciated.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on June 22, 2017 at 9:51 AM

Hi Allen & Peter, totally agree, getting that detail with this subject, or with any subject is key, but with that bill it just makes it more sweeter.

Cheers

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on June 22, 2017 at 9:52 AM

Thanks Gary, that was my original thinking, but hey, we all see things differently, glad you like it.

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 22, 2017 at 8:58 PM

Hi Steve,

No nits here. The only puffins that I have seen have been well out of range for any photos. Well done with this one............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on June 23, 2017 at 12:24 PM

Nice portrait here. I might clone out the out of focus blades of grass right next to the beak. You did get really nice detail at high iso. A clean image. I really wanted to see these when I was in Iceland but never made it to their habitat.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments