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Fluffin' a Puffin
Fluffin' a Puffin
scalvert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2013-07 (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Location: Machias Seal Island, Maine
Date: Jul 18, 2013
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/800
Date Uploaded: Jul 31, 2013

It took three trips over five years, but I finally got good weather for puffin pictures on this tiny island in the Gulf of Maine. It's a fantastic experience that I recommend to anyone who has the opportunity. We called this little guy the Flying Marshmallow.

Editing details: Not much. Crop, USM, white balance, touch up a couple of spots on the rock, blur the background slightly for banding control, and contrast/exposure tweaks.

Statistics
Place: 9 out of 178
Avg (all users): 6.6633
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.6866
Avg (non-participants): 6.6129
Views since voting: 2188
Views during voting: 185
Votes: 98
Comments: 18
Favorites: 5 (view)


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AuthorThread
03/03/2014 10:57:43 AM
Shannon, can you please give me more information on Machias Seal Island, Maine. I'm going this summer to Maine and I'm looking for a tour to take us out to one of the islands and I've only been able to find one tour that "goes to an island with the Puffins"...And information will be appreciated...
08/08/2013 01:22:28 PM
Originally posted by Trotterjay:

Obviously the bird in the background hurt your chances but I presume rules didn't allow you to edit it out.

Of course I would have preferred the foreground bird alone. I had many other puffin photos that were better for composition, etc. but it was just such an amusing pose that I went with this one. My second choice wasn't a puffin at all and probably would have ribboned. I'll save that one for Best of 2013.
08/08/2013 01:18:29 PM
We used Bold Coast Charters out of Cutler Harbor. They're pretty much the only choice for Machias Seal Island unless you depart from Canada. The advantage of Bold Coast is that you have the opportunity (conditions permitting) of going ashore on the nesting island and shooting from blinds, which is an entirely different experience from most puffin tours operating from boats. You have to make reservations by April at the latest to secure a spot in June-August.
08/08/2013 01:17:05 PM
There was just so much competition amongst the top finishers in this challenge that it made ribboning difficult cause this is brilliant. Obviously the bird in the background hurt your chances but I presume rules didn't allow you to edit it out.

Message edited by author 2013-08-08 13:18:27.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 11:25:28 AM
Which tour group did you use to get out to their island? My sister did one out of Rockport I think...it was recommended by Denise. This is very high on my list of to do's...I love these little guys they are soooo cute and photographic. AND I might get the chance to do it next summer in May/Jun!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 10:35:13 AM
Fabulous shot - 9 from me and I should have given it a 10 despite the other in the background. The dof is perfect and he does add context . . . Congratulations on the top ten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 08:43:33 AM
Totally my fav in the challenge, and you did stay on top of me!!! Well done for a fabulous shot!!!

Message edited by author 2013-08-08 08:44:20.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 08:33:20 AM
my favorite in the challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 08:23:39 AM
Sweet shot, cute little guys, congrats on the top 10 !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/08/2013 12:14:23 AM
It's a super great shot, Scalvert. Congratulations on the high placement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
08/07/2013 11:15:47 PM
Great color and dof.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/07/2013 09:47:17 PM
Too cute! Have to bump anything that makes me smile every time I look at it :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/07/2013 09:04:23 PM
Graphically vivid and so well captured. Oh. Funny too. voted earlier
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2013 11:29:13 AM
Haha, great timing. Perfect details.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/06/2013 12:55:44 AM
love puffins, wish the other one wasn't in the background
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/05/2013 10:02:40 AM
Always cute factor with these birds. Nice processing, crisp, but over-saturated and too centrally composed for my liking.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/01/2013 10:47:29 PM
Wow! This is GREAT!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
08/01/2013 12:10:08 AM
what a fabulous shot !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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