Ring-billed gull lift off

[Myer Bornstein]

This gull was hovering, diving for fish the leaping into the air. Beach at Allen's Pond Mass Audubon Sanctuary Westport MA Clear, Sunny, Temp about 25, small amount of wind. Nikon D300s with Sigma 150-500 lens hand held. Ajusted highlights in PS
150-500mm @ 500mm
750mm (in 35mm film)
1/800 sec, f/14
Mode: Program
Metering: Multi-segment
Exp comp: -2/3
ISO: 800
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO

[Desmond Chan]

Sharpness and exposure seem good. I do wish it the seagull were larger in the frame. Also, conventional wisdom is to leave more room in where the subject is moving towards. Is that a particular reason you chose to compose your shot that way?

FYI:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53681

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Myer, I do agree with Desmond that the subject is rather small in the frame. The light is also not coming from an ideal direction and this has created unfortunate shadows on the face and belly.

As for comp, I imagine you wanted to include the complete splash ring. It does create an unconventional comp, but I find there is too much space at bottom. Cropping away about half the space below that ring may balance the image a bit better.

P.S. Exposure on this tough subject looks good, well done with the techs.