These are shot off the coast of Cape May NJ from one of the Dolphin Watch tourist boats. Apparently (according to the tour guide) the dolphins love to play in the boats wake. That is exactly what they were doing. (C&C appreciated)
iGary wrote:
Very nice - I've had them follow and play around our boat quite a bit.
Looks like a little much on the shadow adjustment end of things, if you don't mind the comment.
The comment is very welcome and I agree. But is was a toss up between pushing the "Fill" slider (in acr) or losing too much in the shadows. Tour boats like this are always at noon when the lighing is at it's worst. I look at the raw files again and see if I can be less aggressive on the Fill and still keep the balance.
mbaumser wrote:
Thanks. The markings don't look "natural" but I don't know. I'll have to find a Dolphin Forum somewhere and ask an expert
Marc
first of all, great shots! i've never seen wild dolphins that close but they sure seem to be fun to shoot
the markings actually are natural, according to what i've read. when dolphins play around with each other they leave those marks on each other, i think their own teeth is what creates them.
although it might look quite bad - and i have seen much 'worse' markings - they are only superficial.
c00kiem0nster wrote:
first of all, great shots! i've never seen wild dolphins that close but they sure seem to be fun to shoot
the markings actually are natural, according to what i've read. when dolphins play around with each other they leave those marks on each other, i think their own teeth is what creates them.
although it might look quite bad - and i have seen much 'worse' markings - they are only superficial.
Thanks for the comments and the update on the markings. I guess they play rough.
There's something new DIF, has a good ring to it. That must have been a challenge anticitpating the ones breaking the water. A polarizer may have given you some more depth into the water and taken a little glare off the dolphins for more color depth however sacrificing a bit of shutter or aperature.
Karl Witt wrote:
There's something new DIF, has a good ring to it. That must have been a challenge anticitpating the ones breaking the water. A polarizer may have given you some more depth into the water and taken a little glare off the dolphins for more color depth however sacrificing a bit of shutter or aperature.
These are nice and fun!
Karl
I think I had a polarizer on (I can't remember) but from the exif I was shooting ISO 400 1/400s f6.3 and it was bright sunny cloudless day so I think it's a good chance I had the polarizer on. I think shooting down towards the water instead of more horizontal (more parallel with the sun instead of 90 deg to it) the polarizer effect was lessened.
As for timing them, well 8fps makes that a bit easier than you'd think. And after a couple of minutes of watching them you do get a feel for when they're ready to jump. (did I mention 8fps helps?)
They are such interactive and emotional animals, you tour guide is right, they love to follow and play with boats, almost as if they are saying "come on in and play with us"! Your photos do justice to their wonderful playful and rejuvenative spirit.
mabidally wrote:
They are such interactive and emotional animals, you tour guide is right, they love to follow and play with boats, almost as if they are saying "come on in and play with us"!
I was tempted to jump in and swim with them
mabidally wrote:
Your photos do justice to their wonderful playful and rejuvenative spirit.
