Backlit Gull

[Christof Ruch]

Hi everybody,

even though the lighting on this herring gull is clearly not optimal in this backlit situation at about 10:30am last June, I do like how the backlighting allows for the deep shadows on the Heligoland bird rock in the background.

Let me know what you think :-)
Christof

Technical data:
D70 with Tokina 300/f4 with 1.4x TC at f/7.1, 1/500s, ISO 200
manual mode spot metered on the gull
tripod
Raw development in NC 4, manual WB done to raw today.
Minimal selective lightening of the gull in CS3.
Slight crop to improve composition,

[Robert Amoruso]

I like it Christof though I feel that toning down the highlights on the gull would help. I would suggest recropping using the rule of thirds and put the gull in the lower left power point. This will eliminate a portion of the blocked-up shadows in the brush in the lower left. The will strengthen the image IMO.

I like the the background rock face so suggest that you maintain as much of that as possible if you do another crop. Thanks for posting.

[Fabs Forns]

Hi Christof,

Robert has brought up valid points in his advise.

You had very harsh light to deal with and that is always a problem.

[Christof Ruch]

Hi Robert, hi Fabs,

many thanks for the advice!

I totally agree with Robert on the crop, and here is a newly cropped version of it.
I also toned down the contrast on the bird after a quick mask on first the too bright side, and then lightened up the dark side (now that I have worked myself through APTATS, I feel confident enough to do so ;-).

Christof

[Julie Kenward]

Much better in the revised version. What a great composition on this image.