Look in to my Eyes...

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Folks,
It's good to be back!!!! :cool::cool: Huge thanks to Blake and everyone at BPN for all the hard work sorting out the problems - not forgetting the pepto-bismol.....
This pelican pic was taken on my Florida trip back in March.
Canon 400D 100-400mm @ 400
ISO 200
AV F5.6
1/1250 sec
EV metering 0.7 exp comp

[Cheryl Flory]

Nicki, Nice detail in the head feathers and feathers around the upper beak. Nice natural reflection in the eyes too; can you make them stand out more? They kind of get lost in the wonderful blue. I might crop the bottom up to wear the beak starts to lose its sharpness, and that would also focus on the eyes more. But then, what is a pelican without its beak??? lol
Cheryl

[Nonda Surratt]

What a face Nicki! Super nice detail and I like the color!! I agree with Cheryl on the eyes don't know about the suggested crop. The whitish oof feathers at the very top sort of bug me for some reason?

[Alfred Forns]

Very Cool image Nicki

I like the tight framing but would like to see those head feathers .. they are neat and would add. The eyes you can lighten with no problem and make them pop !!! Big Congrats on this one !!!!

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Al, Nicki. Pop those eyes! I'm sure those head feathers would be nice but if you don't have them, I'd clone those OOF feathers out and leave just the front head feathers. Also, try to close down the aperture next time and see if you can't get the front of that beak as sharp as those eyes!

What a portrait, though! :D

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi guys, thanks so much for your kind comments and suggestions. Jules, I absolutely agree that F8 would have been far more appropriate - classic beginner's bungling here....( actually I find that with the 100-400 lens it is difficult to get a sharp picture at F5.6. Does anyone else find this??)
I decided to try cropping the top of his head off and I have lightened the eyes some more. Is this OK, or should I do more/different??
Thanks!!

[Julie Kenward]

Much better, Nicki! This really brings that eye contact into central focus.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Thanks Jules!

[Harold Davis]

YES!!!!! awesome repost!! tighter on top is exactly what i was thinking!! even after reading al's critique!!! i love the work you did on the eyes!! sweet job!!

[Lance Peters]

Love the repost - well done Nicki.

[Nonda Surratt]

Super re-post!