Black Ring Gull

[tomroper]

Spent an afternoon at Maumee Bay State Park a couple of months ago photographing gulls and practicing flight photography.

135370

1/6400 @ f/5.6 ISO 400 Canon 5DM2 + 400mm f/5.6
LR5 & PS CC
Cropped for comp, so gull is looking into frame
Light clean up in sand of rocks, etc.
NIK Dfine on background and selective sharpening on the bird

Comments welcome.

[Diane Miller]

Looks very good! Great whites and shadow detail! Nice pose, sharp, nice depth of field ....

I might think about a slightly tighter crop, but that's purely user choice. It looks like the image quality would stand up to it.

[keith mitchell]

Tom I agree with Diane about the crop but that apart it looks very good to me.

Keith.:S3:

[Doug West]

I like the crop. The only thing I don't like is that shadow. That I would clone out.

Doug

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Tom.... Great decision to go out and "shoot gulls"! Not only are they fairly accommodating, they provide excellents ops for BIF's as well as exposure practice! I'm not the "best" Gull expert... this guy looks like a second year Ring-Billed Gull...still some mottling and hasn't acquired the distinctive red eye-ring. Regardless, I like the serene composure of the gull...your exposure looks good... nice bg and fg. I, too, think you could lose the little dark shadow behind the Gull. Nice clean shot!

[tomroper]

Thanks for the feedback. :S3: Here's a repost based on everyone suggestions. Tighter crop and removed shadows.
135440

[Diane Miller]

Too tight for me -- I was thinking more like this, and no problem with the shadow.

[tomroper]

Thanks! I wasn't sure how tight to make it, but you're right my crop doesn't have enough breathing room in it. I like your crop, much more pleasing.