One penguin, 33 seconds, 80 shots

[stubbsy]

I'm processing the last of my images from my trip to Antarctica last November and have a dilemma to share. I have 8 shots I would consider amongst my best images - trouble is they are all of the same subject and eventually I'll cull down some more, keeping 2 or 3 to go in my Antarctic photo book. The challenge is discarding any since these 8 have been whittled down from a burst of 80 images taken over 33 seconds (sounded like machine guns firing on the zodiac at the time - 4 of us simultaneously firing in burst mode).

All 8 are HERE and below are 4 of the group. It also shows just how much can change in such a short time period.

[Bob G]

All good but I slightly favor #1 for the composition.

[Geoff M]

I see why you are struggling to decide Peter, they are all great shots and worthy of publication in a nature journal/maazine. For what it's worth my order of preference would be 2,4,1,3.

I guess that the feedback you may get would differ in the sequence of choice which is not going to help you in deciding the final selection, only you can do that!

[Chica]

I's make the photobook longer and include all of them!! They are incredible!!

[Remorhaz]

I think #1 is the standout for me. The composition and simplicity of the shot is fantastic but the story I get from the penguin speaks volumes to me.

[Mr Darcy]

For me:
3,1,2,4
Did you get any shots of Penguins?

[CraigVTR]

I think the series of shots tell a very good story. The first thing I thought of is to use the white space by overlaying the sequence of shots in a film strip style. Perhaps have your favourite as a standalone shot then another shot with the others overlayed to tell the penguins story of his escape from the machine gun fire.

[biggerry]

Peter,

1 and 2 as a series of images - these would make a awesome set for a children's book (actually the whole lot would) The first one gets a 'ohh pengu', the second gets the ' ohh pengu wants to give you a cuddle' front and rear cover to the photo book or even better front cover and first page!

are these cropped? i assume these are with the 70-200? the gentoo looks a bit soft in a few of them but that could well be due to the web downsize..

[stubbsy]

Thanks for the feedback people

Did you get any shots of Penguins?

ROTFLMAO - smart arse - typo now fixed

are these cropped? i assume these are with the 70-200? the gentoo looks a bit soft in a few of them but that could well be due to the web downsize..

There is only some minor cropping - the zodiac got us close enough that with the zoom I could fill the frame sufficiently.

[gstark]

I's make the photobook longer and include all of them!! They are incredible!!

Actually, why not a second photobook, just for the penguins?

Peter, these are all wonderful shots, and they all are worthy of being published.

[the foto fanatic]

Yep, like everyone says, I like 'em all; but #1 is a standout.

The only CC I have is that I find the grey at the top of the frame in #2 to be a little distracting, and I wondered whether you had considered cropping it out.

Must have been excellent fun!

[surenj]

Absolutely brilliant!

[zafra52]

3,2,1 for me too, but they are all very good.

[aim54x]

These are brilliant Peter, great to seem some images from your trip...keep them coming. PS I agree with Gary...2 books!

[ozimax]

All great Peter, but #1 is phenomenal. I've rarely seen a better composed image, wildlife or other.

Ozi.

[NJ]

Definitely #1!

[surenj]

Had a look with my good monitor and the tones are to die for!

[radar]

Great shots Peter, I knew you had some of these and was looking forward to seeing them.

For me, the first two are the best, for different reasons. I love the first one as it gives more of an environmental feel to the photo. I love the second as you have some action from the penguin.

I also really like another one from your gallery, currently, 62 of 67. I quite like this one as we get some eye contact.

The only nit that I would have with these, and this is a really minor nit picking comment, they all have the penguin right in the lower centre, have you tried a few crops with the penguin a bit more in the lower left quadrant?

As an option in your book, have one page with penguin looking right, opposite page penguin looking left, looks as if they are looking at each other across the icebergs

David Burren had submitted his version of this image to the Canon APPA's back in June and he got a silver distinction award.
http://blog.davidburren.com/2011/06/aus ... raphy.html

You did a great job capturing and processing these. I remember when your zodiac got back to the ship and I was thinking to myself: "Why didn't I get on their zodiac ???"

Thanks for sharing,

André

[bigsarg7]

#1 is an absolute cracker, what a shot! I love the whitebalance you've managed to get in each image. May I ask did you find it at all difficult to get the WB the same? these are simply amazing, all of them I love but #1 has so much background it makes me feel like I am there in a way, great work, I think #1 would look great as a wrap around cover for your book!!

[Steffen]

I think #1 would look great as a wrap around cover for your book!!

But then the penguin would be on the spine and make the book look like, um, a Penguin Book

Cheers
Steffen.

[Reschsmooth]

All great Peter, but #1 is phenomenal. I've rarely seen a better composed image, wildlife or other.

Ozi.

As above.

[Matt. K]

Peter
They work so well as a series....make them small, put them into a sequence and include all four. You don't need to make all of your images full page.

[colin_12]

I like the first and second Peter. They just work for me.

[Murray Foote]

Hi Peter

Definitely Antarctic gentoos with orange beaks rather than Falkland ones with yellow beaks. Actually, yours look redder than the ones around Vernadsky so perhaps a different subspecies again.

Interesting how everyone seemed to go for #1. The one that actually caught my attention was #4 which no-one else preferred.

[Matt. K]

 PS...#1