The_Junior_Rockhopper_Choir
These juvenile Rockhopper penguins are too young to swim. So, like human teenagers they are "chilling out" together! I've titlled this amazing t...
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These juvenile Rockhopper penguins are too young to swim. So, like human teenagers they are "chilling out" together! I've titlled this amazing timely capture "The Junior Rockhopper Choir"! It appears as if they are all singing together with their beaks open simultaneously!
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SONY DSC-RX10M3
Aperture f/4 ISO 100 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 18974/100 
Falkland, Fife, GB
Oct, 2019Views
2121
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Top Shot Award 22
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 7
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Volume6
9Teen Award
Contest Finalist in Wildlife Families Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Volume5
Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 25
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Virtuoso
Superior Skill
Genius
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
NatureLoverJJWal
December 14, 2019
This is really great capture. Congratulations on your award in this capture. Anyway, it is good that I see you here in Viewbug. This is Gigi, we met in Natgeo.
Platinum
PRO+
PRO
Nancy1958
January 26, 2020
Congratulations on you awards. This is a fantastic and very unique capture!
Platinum
Carolyn_Angus
January 26, 2020
I was over the moon to capture them all "singing" at the same time! Thank you dear Nancy.
Ultimate
marysorberdye
June 25, 2022
Just singing in their way!~ giggles Fantastic capture. Did they need more practice?
Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
The ship docked in Stanley the capital of the Falkland Islands. We were driven to the Murrell farm to which we transferred to a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The ride across open farm fields was in itself a laughable adventure! We were bumped and tossed on our way to our coastal destination which was Kidney Cove.Time
It was just around ten on this sunny spring morning. A cool wind blew off the South Atlantic ocean.Lighting
The highlights on their bodies provided beautiful rim lighting of these Rockhopper chicks fur, creating a natural separation of their bodies. I was very conscious of their white fur and underexposed intentionally. Mentally as soon as I see anything white, my fingers find my compensation dial! It's a very handy mental red flag!Equipment
Sony10 IV. It's mirrorless and has an amazing range with 24-600mm Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens. Giottos Carbon tripod.Inspiration
Two things....humour and this possessed the "WOW" factor! These chicks reminded me of young teenagers hanging out together! I could not believe my eyes that they all had their beaks open at the same time! I referred to them as the "Rockhopper Junior Choir" as it might appear as if they are singing together.Editing
Ansel Adams says wherever the brightest area is in any picture (or painting) the human eye will go. So naturally where there was white squitter I toned it down. Lastly I like to give a contained feeling to my images by darkening the edges very subtly.In my camera bag
Well I used to carry three Lumix bodies (and still carry the one dedicated to infrared) and several lens; a tripod of course. I have had Nikons, Pentaxes, Canons and now have recently settled happily with the Sony10 IV. It's mirrorless and has an amazing range with 24-600mm Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens. With aging and physical challenges I have opted to go the lighter route in terms of equipment. I do carry ND filters and a polarizer. Loads of batteries and extra lens caps! A dry bag and raincoat for the camera too!Feedback
Our allotted time there was very brief i.e. less than two hours. So I focused strictly on the penguins interacting or showing some aspect of their personality and their behavior. In all the wildlife seminars I have attended, this was the criteria. It is not enough to simply have an animal standing there without expression or action. From years of shooting Kodachrome slides, I am acutely aware of every corner of my frame. Really watch your background. Avoid upstaging your subject and be fully conscious of merging e.g. when a horizon cuts through the neck of your subject or an out of focus foreground branch slashes through your otherwise perfect picture! The most important tip I can share is to always shoot for that extra, that injects life into your frame. In this case the penguins simultaneously having their beaks open at the same time! Best of luck finding the light!
