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Campbell Island Mollymawk on water
Aug, 2015Views
903
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
People's Choice in Albatross!! Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
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Top 10 rank
Dals-Photography
August 22, 2015
Congratulations! I do love these birds! We can see them sometimes while on the oceans here in Southamerica, Cheers from Uruguay,
PRO+
Platinum
roblawrence
November 14, 2015
Thanks to all who ticked a like or other cheers it is great thing to enjoy and share the wonders of our world
Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This Campbell Island Mollymawk was photographed off Kaikoura New Zealand while on a Albatross Encounter trip. www.albatrossencounter.co.nz Amazing location for seabird photography as well as marine mammals. Encounter does a Dolphin trip featuring Dusty Dolphins. www.dolphinencounter.co.nz. Several species of Whales are also commonly seen.Time
This IS one of my favourite all time seabird pictures (and has been shown on VB previously but I like it too!!) It was a early (around 7:30 am) on a calm day as the glassy appearance of the water reveals. I usually like to capture seabirds in flight however this guy was close and on the still water made for interesting opportunity.Lighting
Ocean conditions seem to work best with overcast light clouds. It seems always provide a more uniform lighting situation even if bright the light is softer and shadows gentle.Equipment
This shot was with Nikon D7000 using 70-200mm f4 lens and the DX format provides for additional enhancement of focal length so this was at 300mm f5.6 @ 1/1000 ISO was auto but would have been 1000. It was handheld ......tripods don't work well on boats for meInspiration
This day the ocean was pretty flat which made for may have reduced the opportunities for inflight shots but created other options. New Zealand has an excellent marine avian fauna. This changes seasonally this bird was clicked in late October. The intensity of the "stare" is amazing with the subtleties of the colours. The feathers are smooth and create a flowing texture with the water surface. It all makes for an interesting situation. I just love being on the sea and watching the variety of marine species. I don't suffer from seasickness which can be a blessing.Editing
I was still learning at this stage (in fact I am still learning now ) and looking at the picture now I fear I may have cropped the photo perhaps too much and lost the reflection or missed that I was so taken by the birds eye. The photo was taken 28 Oct 2012 so some details are faded with the time. I am a purist at heart and a good photo starts as a good photo I generally crop post processing. but have taken out the odd speck with a healing tool I think there was a deep pixel with the D7 000.In my camera bag
Generally gear for on the boat is extra batteries ,a water proof bag, a bottle of fresh water for emergancies from a wave. Fewer items to keep track of the better. I try not to change lens but have a 24-70mm for any sun rise/set or other land scape opportunity. The main items are camera and telephoto and warm clothing .Feedback
One is hard pressed to find such a great location with easy access for the opportunity of Pelagic birding that Kaikoura offers. I have upgraded my equip to D500 Nikon and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 as my go-to seabird gear for on boat use. I have a larger 150-600mm lens but that can be a bit harder to control when conditions are best for in flight seabirds 2-3 meters swells. Practice the focus points ....Any Camera with settings for multiple sequential exposures is a useful feature. The D500 allows up to 10 with a good buffer space using the XQD card. As with any thing practice make improvements ......I am still far from perfection... especially on depth of field issues. The main point is getting out and having a go. Taking a good shot now and again is a bonus !!! Cheers and if you come to NZ check out Kaikoura regards rob
