Andy Pollard  

Penguin Bond by Andy Pollard

April 2021 - Penguin Bond

April 2021 - Andy Pollard

Original

About the Image(s)

I took this image with a Canon 5D Mark4 and a EF 100-400 F4.5-5.6 IS II USM. The settings 1/1000, f 5.6, ISO 400 at 400mm via aperture priority mode. When I take this type of image I always try to lie down to get a better perspective, as I did on this occasion. The image is of a King Penguin adult that has just returned from the ocean and has found its chick. The chick is wanting to feed but the adult is teaching it to be patient. I had to be patient to get the beaks touching. I also wanted to get a foreground that was composed of the feathers of other birds that were moulting. Post processing in Lghtroom I increased in the contrast by +31 and slightly increased the vibrance and texture. Using the adjustment brush I highlighted the area around the birds and removed any noise, but keep all details in the penguins. I sharpened the heads and beaks of both birds. The picture was cropped and I ensured the birds were right of centre. I would be interested to know if people agree or would it be better off centred?

This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted

 
I love it. I would like to see what it would look like of you cropped it so that both birds are more symmetrically in the center.   Posted: 04/01/2021 10:56:10
 
Actually, Andy, for me the juvenile is the center of attention even though the adult is so beautifully colored. At the risk of anthropomorphizing, I feel the baby is begging with hunched posture and twisted head. By cropping the left side of the picture you lose the sense of open space, which is important. But it accentuates the baby and its posture.   Posted: 04/01/2021 14:39:29
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Andy what a great opportunity you have to take wildlife photos. I like how you cropped the penguins slightly off centered. I would suggest cropping the bottom and left sides slightly to remove some of the background and foreground distractions. I would also lighten the penguins a little to bring out the details a little more in their feathers.   Posted: 04/03/2021 11:49:59
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Sophia Schade   Sophia Schade
(Group 5)
OMG.. Andy what a fabulous moment.. The bond between a chick and a parent and the teachings in their early days. I love that you lied down to take this photo so it makes it even more special. I agree with Thorro on the crop. I have never photograph them but is it possible to get their eyes?   Posted: 04/15/2021 18:55:36
 
Thank you all great feedback and i will certainly make some changes. Sophia, I will play with editing the eye and see if i can make it visible.   Posted: 04/20/2021 13:31:15