June 30, 2023
Photographing Puffins on Lunga
I’d heard a lot about how close you can get to puffins on Lunga, one of the Treshinsh islands west of Mull. So during on a camper van trip to the Isle of Mull early summer 2023, I was beyond excited to finally take a trip to this mythical island.
It was a midday trip and unfortunately we had a lot of harsh light through the day, but on a trip like this all you can do is enjoy being there with the puffins and make the best of the photography.
You can check out my vlog for more of the story and gear I used, but keep scrolling to see the photos with the settings that I used.
OM-1, 40-150mm f/2.8, 40mm, f/2.8, 1/4000s, ISO 200
I had a selection of OM System gear with me to capture the puffins and other seabirds in a variety of ways, I even brought the wide angle 8-25mm f/4 in case I would get some extreme close-up opportunities.
OM-1, 8-25mm, 22mm f/4, 1/2000s, ISO 320
OM System for Wildlife Photography Course
If you want more insights into how I setup my cameras for wildlife photography, the settings I use, and the special features do check out my course on the OM System for Wildlife Photography. In the course I dive into all the settings I use and show you how to set it up on the various OM System cameras including the newest OM-1.
Post Processing
If you want to see how I edit my images I created a PDF booklet that you can download by signing up to my newsletter.
I use DxO PureRaw 3 on almost all my photos to get a great quality RAW file and get rid of nice. I’ve also started to dabble a bit with Nik Collection 5 DxO Color Efex Pro to make some final touches to my images and I really like the results.
Try out DxO free for 30 days to see what you think. DxO constantly gives some excellent promotional deals, so if you like it keep an eye out for a good deal!
OM-1, 150-400mm, 272mm f/4.5, 1/800s, ISO 200
OM-1, 150-400mm, 1.25x, 500mm f/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 250
OM-1, 150-400mm, 400mm f/4.5, 1/1000s, ISO 250
OM-1, 150-400mm, 1.25x, 500mm f/5.6, 1/400s, ISO 800
OM-1, 150-400mm, 1.25x, 500mm f/5.6, 1/640s, ISO 320
OM-1, 150-400mm, 356mm f/4.5, 1/800s, ISO 250
OM-1, 150-400mm, 1.25x, 406mm f/5.6, 1/1250s, ISO 400
OM-1, 150-400mm, 1.25x, 500mm f/5.6, 1/640s, ISO 200
Wow, Espen, another set of stunning imagery!
You’ve handled the high sun shadows really well (usually get harsh bill shadows across the chest).
I especially love the feather detail on the Razorbill portrait. Not something you see often and in that much detail.
The opening image of "Puffin Rock" is a belter and there’s an array of characters on there.
Thanks a lot Scott! Definitely is a challenge to photograph in harsh light, but when in such an amazing place there’s just nothing for but get on with it. Puffin Rock, great name for it!
Great pictures man! I definitely want to get out in the next couple years to do this!