Frans Gunterus, QPSA
October 2026 - Life on the Rocks – Tasmania
About the Image(s)
Canon EOS R6 Mark II | 1/1000 sec | f/4.5 | ISO 400 | 138mm
During a sightseeing boat tour along the spectacular coastline near Port Arthur, Tasmania, I spotted these Australian fur seals enjoying their rocky retreat. Some were having a lazy day, while one seemed to be posing just for me! The crashing waves added a little excitement to the scene.
Shooting from a moving boat was a challenge, but a fast shutter speed helped freeze the action. In post-processing, I warmed the tones slightly to add a touch of drama while keeping the cool, rugged coastal atmosphere.
12 comments posted
Hi Frans
nice capture. for me i would like to trim the low portion slightly to tigthen the frame and draw forcus to the fur seals as the primary subject. i wonder if this compositional adjustment would strengthen the image. Posted: 10/13/2026 07:07:43
nice capture. for me i would like to trim the low portion slightly to tigthen the frame and draw forcus to the fur seals as the primary subject. i wonder if this compositional adjustment would strengthen the image. Posted: 10/13/2026 07:07:43
Thank you, Fiona! That's a very good suggestion. I originally wanted to include the crashing waves to convey the dramatic coastal environment, but I can see how trimming the lower portion would bring more attention to the fur seals. I really appreciate your thoughtful observation! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:12:57
Hi Frans,
Nice image. I agree with Fiona re seals. I felt that a more agressive crop could be interesting. I wanted to keep the water splash, but focus more on these mammals.
I took the liberty of changing your cropping without altering any other parameters. Posted: 10/16/2026 17:44:07
Nice image. I agree with Fiona re seals. I felt that a more agressive crop could be interesting. I wanted to keep the water splash, but focus more on these mammals.
I took the liberty of changing your cropping without altering any other parameters. Posted: 10/16/2026 17:44:07
Thank you, Pierre! I appreciate you taking the time to explore an alternative crop. It's always interesting to see how different photographers interpret the same image. My original intention was to capture both the fur seals and the dramatic coastal environment, but I can certainly appreciate how your tighter crop brings greater emphasis to the seals. That's what makes our discussions so enjoyable! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:15:15
Frans, I think your rendering of the image is great. I do agree with Fiona and Pierre about cropping for focus, but here's another possibility. I reduced both top and bottom. I think that really holds the focus, though it somewhat diminishes the wave splash. Posted: 10/16/2026 20:43:27
Thank you, Jerry! I appreciate you taking the time to explore another cropping option. Your version certainly brings more attention to the seals, although I do have a soft spot for the dramatic wave splash! ???? It's always interesting to see how different compositions can change the visual impact of an image. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:16:24
Hi Franz, Nice capture with good balance with the darks rocks above and below and so sharp. I agree with the cropping comments. To me the subjects, seals and bird, get lost with everything that is going on in the image. I'm not sure the water action helps.
Posted: 10/22/2026 19:15:07
Posted: 10/22/2026 19:15:07
Thank you, Bradford! I appreciate your thoughtful observations. I can see how a tighter crop would give the seals and bird more prominence. My original intention was to include the crashing waves to convey the drama of their natural environment, rather than focus solely on the animals. It's interesting how different photographers see different possibilities in the same image. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:17:31
Hi Frans another good pic, nice to see you down under. Great sharp image showing all to the best. Posted: 10/23/2026 00:06:11
Thank you so much, Geoff! I really enjoyed my time Down Under. Australia has so much natural beauty and wonderful wildlife to photograph. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:18:44
Hi Frans- this is a fun picture to analyze and think about. The splashes really draw the eye, but they draw attention from the animals, which should probably be the stars of the show. Like the other comments, I think less splash and more seals would tell the story better. Posted: 10/23/2026 02:49:34
Thank you, Kirk! I appreciate your thoughtful observation. You're right that the splashes compete for attention, although I deliberately wanted to capture the drama of the waves as part of the seals' natural environment. I guess it's a matter of balancing wildlife and environmental storytelling. That's what makes photography discussions so interesting! Posted: 10/25/2026 07:19:40