Seal

[frisby]

Hi, there,

Just looking for some critique on composition and exposure. I think the landscape cropping works because it kind of emphasizes the length of the animals body (!? maybe?). Just interested to hear any other feedback (I nearly stood on it's dad taking the photo BTW).

EXIF info:
0.0062s 1/160
f/7.1
ISO 200
Focal length 105mm
+ 1/3ev
Type of camera: Nikon D90

[BK553]

I think the crop either needs to be tighter on the animal, or taller to give it some perspective. The way it is now it looks like a banner ad

[frisby]

A banner ad! That's low. ;-) I'll crop.

[frisby]

Post crop -

[NgaiHill]

Why have you cropped to these proportions? The second crop is cutting off some of the seal. I think what BK553 meant was to crop off more to the left and possibly right hand sides of the photo.

[frisby]

Hullo,

I'm cropping on the .jpg direct in work ;-) I'll get home tonight and crop the raw.

I left the left hand side as I was kind of thinking of the rule of thirds when I cropped but I guess the harder crop still takes care of that.

I've also just noticed I've stuffed up the focus.

Bugger.

[NgaiHill]

What program are you using to do the crop? What program do you use for PP? Your pic looks to long & narrow, try cropping it more to a more standard format.
Unfortunately there is not much you can do if the shot is not very sharp, is the picture taken at a spot you can get back to? If so try to concentrate on getting the seal sharp and let the camera figure out the settings - seals don't usually move very fast is they are not startled so you usually have plenty of time to photograph them - just try not to stand on them!

[frisby]

Ok, home and cropped.

Ummm... currently iPhoto !

So this is 4 x 6, is it generally better sticking with a standard format? [stupid question]

I can return as it's Red Rocks in Wellington ;-) and I'll avoid standing on dad next time.

[NgaiHill]

Much better! Better format to stick to, easier to frame too if you ever decide to print. Probably cropped a little too tight now but you're heading in the right direction.
Wellington - thought it looked like a NZ Fur Seal and those rocks look very similar to coastal rocks down this way. If you can get back, have another go - just remember not to get between them and their route to the sea.
Look forward to seeing some more shots!
I'm going to post a couple of my seal shots in SYS-wildlife, check 'em out!

[frisby]

Thanks - always good getting feedback from the same part of the world :-)

Will have a look at SYS-wild.