stephencoppinger

Seal Cape Palliser May-2013

Cape Palliser is the Southernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, with its own lighthouse. The seal colony is nearby and this majestic beast was clear...
Read more

Cape Palliser is the Southernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, with its own lighthouse. The seal colony is nearby and this majestic beast was clearly posing for me!
Read less

Dec, 2013

Views

4928

Likes

+959

Awards

Creative Winter Award

Legendary Award

2020 Choice Award

Contest Finalist in Get Wet Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in The Battle Of Advanced Photo Contest

Featured

Contest Finalist in Large Mammals Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Exotic Wildlife Photo Contest

Staff Favorite

Peer Award

+230

Superb Composition

+122

Absolute Masterpiece

+109

Top Choice

+98

Magnificent Capture

+32

Superior Skill

+10

Outstanding Creativity

+10

All Star

Jaw Dropping

Exceptional Contrast

Genius

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Categories

WOW :)

Such a noble looking seal!

Superb capture

Fantastic capture! Breathtaking!!!

That's a tumultuous sea behind. He's going to get knocked off that rock at any moment.

Great photo.

Platinum

Wonderfully captured Stephen. I really should make more effort to visit Palliser more often.

PRO

Magnificent contrast against the waves!

Awsome image, I trust you and your gear survived those rolling waves in trhe background, Rod

Very Kool!!

Great conditions for this one - really brings out the ruggedness of this bit of coast

congrats on contest finalist in the battle - awesome shot!

A superb image and subject.

Thanks so much!

PRO+

Such an awesome capture.

Congrats ! Super composition.

Premium

Gorgeous shot!

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Behind The Lens

Location

Taken on a trip to Cape Palliser with my local club. I wandered away from the main group and came upon this scene. Earlier in the morning I had been stumbling through the undergrowth when what I thought was a big grey rock truned out to be a bull. He roared in irritation and I had a senior moment!

Time

This image was the reward for getting up before dawn on a grey winters morning.

Lighting

Taken with the natural, rather grey early morning light.

Equipment

Taken with a Nikon D800 and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 lens.

Inspiration

I was fortunate to be in the area when the seal pups are being schooled. You have to be careful as the older seals can be protective, so slow and careful movements are the order of the day! I just sat on some rocks for a while and let them get used to me before starting to move for shots.

Editing

Very little, especially compared to many others. Mainly cropping and some darkening of the sky using the standard Lightroom tools.

In my camera bag

Currently, I'm Nikon based. I also use Tamron lenses as they seem to be a good balance of quality and value.

Feedback

Patience! Move slowly and carefully. There is more about this image and others taken on this trip on my blog www.coppinger.kiwi.

See more amazing photos, follow stephencoppinger

stephencoppinger

stephencoppinger

Seal Cape Palliser May-2013

Cape Palliser is the Southernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, with its own lighthouse. The seal colony is nearby and this majestic beast was clear... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow stephencoppinger

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Cape Palliser is the Southernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, with its own lighthouse. The seal colony is nearby and this majestic beast was clear...
Read more

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Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.