Blubber Mandy...for C&C please...

[IzzieK]

Got room for one more "late to the party" poster Izzie?

Yessir I do...

[QUOTE]Like the others; I'll largely ignore #1 as being 'just a scene setter', that said, it serves it's purpose well.

#2 - There's something bizarre happened here; the head and whiskers appear to show motion blur, but the shutter speed was 1/1250s, so I doubt it was that unless you snapped it while it was swinging its head very fast, so perhaps some odd happened in PP? Looks like you have been playing with masks and effects to soften the background and surroundings.

Yes I did...the darn sea lion was moving all the time...I shot these all in burst and CH settings and chose those ones that I need to put my story with. There are more than these shots but I am not feeling good really having just came out of hospital recently. I am still on forced rest. Eleven more days...I am getting better with all these sleeping during the day and barely doing anything but waiting for my loud kitchen alarm to tell me it is time for another load of antibiotics or inhalant.

#3 - It is apparent the right flipper was moving in this shot, but seems OK sharpness wise. Yes, ideally some better separation of subject from background would be ideal, but in terms of distance and tones, you had problems with this beyond your control; whether a very skillful bit of Curves adjustments could achieve it I don't know - I might try it, but would only gives myself a 20% chance of success.

#4 - Unfortunate timing and trajectory have combined to make this slightly less than ideal, but beyond shooting lots more frames, this was again beyond your control.

#5 - Looks like you have applied a Radial blur filter, but the shot was worth a bit more time spent on masking to apply the blur IMHO.

I used Analog Efex Pro on some of the images here to control bokeh. It did not do a good job as using the Selective tool and Refining Edge details.

#6 - well worth including - nothing wrong with 'cute', but I would tone down that background highlight. Odd; when I viewed this earlier, but didn't have time to compile a reply, I'm sure something else struck me as "could be improved", but now I cannot see what it was.

HTH, Dave

Oh yes...it helped a lot. But since that trip, I had bought a shoulder harness and a monopod with flip legs and some online classes... Hey .. I am bored. I need something to play with while recuperating. It helps when I have a new toy...

[joebranko]

Sorry to be so late commenting, but like, you life has got in the way of my photos, although mine has not been health related. So I commend you on your return and hope you will be back to full strength as soon a time as possible .

[FootLoose]

It's hard to get the exposure right on black wet subjects in bright sunlight, so well done Izzie. I love the last one. The PoV makes it look to me like the people are competing with the sea lion for a handout from the bucket.

[IzzieK]

Thanks for the comments, Joe and Greg...

I am getting better, sometimes empty headed but OK...I need more rest and one more appointment with the quack before Tennessee and Florida and I will be right. Thanks for the well-wishes, Joe...

Greg...that was very harsh lighting because it was about just after noon time when we were able to find the amphitheatre...and my favourite is the last one too ...

Thank you both for commenting. I truly appreciate it very much...

I think I better leave commenting on my other post till later...I am really feeling tired by now...
Goodnight you all..