Peter Hornbostel, MPSA
October 2025 - The Execution
About the Image(s)
I found this picture of gannets in my archive recently for conversion to monochrome. I must admit, that I put the very last sequence of the left wing (view birds position) manually and I cleaned up the foreground to show only the action. But this action is natural, out of cam.
Taken with my last camera Canon 7D Mark II, Ap. 6.3, focus length 150mm (Sigma 150-600 mm), 1/4000 sec and 800 ISO.
Spot is isle of Helgoland, Northern Sea (Germany)
4 comments posted
Nice capture! I feel that this photo might be a litte tightly cropped. Also reducening the exposure on the top birds right wing may bring out the some feather detail. I know that on my Nikon Z I can squeezse out a little detail in blown out whites. Posted: 10/10/2025 18:54:44
Although you did not describe it in your narrative I'm assuming from the title that this is an image of one gannet killing another. If so, classic shot illustrating the harsh reality of nature - I'm not going to nit-pick because the story is so powerful, but I agree with Roy, the crop is a bit tight Posted: 10/10/2025 19:55:09
Great moment Peter! I agree with the other guys, the birds are too close to the left side. In my opinion a bit of space before the birds is needed. The wings are in a good position pointed towards to the corners. Posted: 10/12/2025 09:20:29
Thanks to all! Sure, the birds are tight on the left side; so the original. More than that, I added a little bit on the right side because I didn't want, that the wing was touching the border. And yes, I had much to do to clean up the forground. I was really surprised about the speed the gannet arrived and immediately started planning offspring. 150mm, I could not give more, going back a little, no time. But the speed of this situation reminded me of an execution (a bit sarcastic). Posted: 10/12/2025 23:10:34