Pelican in mist

[Hilary Hann]

I was quite pleased with this shot as at last I was getting some sharp, hand held images with my new 300/F4 IS lens with the 1.4 tele converter on. It has taken me a while to get the hang of it. I kept the ISO high so I could have a high speed, maybe compromising image quality. Post production … some sharpening, noise ninja and slight cropping.
7D; 300mm/F4 lens with 1.4 teleconverter; f5.6; 1/3000; ISO 800; hand held. Taken at 6.32am.
Any comments for improvement greatly appreciated.

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely feel of image here, nice placement of bird in frame
If mine I may try to pull down midtones on BG only
TFS

[Hilary Hann]

Harshad, thanks and I'll try that advice. Thank you.

[Harshad Barve]

Harshad, thanks and I'll try that advice. Thank you.

You are most welcome my friend :)

[Leo Berzins]

It works for me Hilary.
I like the composition, the misty background and the Pelican moving into the picture rather than toward us.

[Loukie Viljoen]

Improvement comes from practice, if you follow submissions of authors on this site, from first to recent you can actually see the authors improvement,

[Joe Senzatimore]

Fine image with great mood created. Pelican may be a bit soft , but doesn't hurt this type of image. Great feel to it.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like what you tried to achieve here. This image has lots of potential. First, I'd make the pelican as a true silhouette (all black), then I'd darken the bright streak across the middle as I find it just a tad too bright. Lastly I'd experiment with the colours to make it "warmer", or more orange in tones. Good eye, and good comp by placing the pelican in the corner. Love the rising mist too...

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Agree with Daniels comments so wont repeat them. Loved the mood a lot. the image transports me into the scene...very well done.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I re-opened the raw file to start to play around with it and try some of the points raised, but in the process ended up with this which I quite liked. Changes the mood somewhat, but just shows how a small variation can change so much of the feeling of the photo. Got completely sidetracked!

[Harshad Barve]

Amazing repost , Print it & hang it

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you. :)

[Juan Aragonés]

Hilary I like the composition a lot and the balance between shadows and light. I like the idea of increasing the saturation and working the color in your repost but the saturation is excessive in my opinion. Something between both images would work better :)

[Hilary Hann]

Yes, a bit over the top I agree. But it was fun!