Northern Gannet

[Henrik Nilsson]

Hello all and greeting from North Vancouver, BC. Well, this is my first post here. I've been lurking around for a while and finally signed up. I'll start my post off with this gannet portrait from Bonaventure Island, Quebec. You thoughts are of course welcome.

Shooting info as follows: Canon 7D with 500f4 IS at 1/1000, f9, ISO 250.

http://photographybyhenrik.com/Recent-Work/Recent-Work/Gannet-141/1050826009_7xHze-L.jpg (http://photographybyhenrik.com/Recent-Work/Recent-Work/7484890_orNLS#1050826009_7xHze-A-LB)

All the best,

Henrik

[Randy Stout]

Henrik:

A big welcome to BPN.! You will find it a great place to share and learn.

Gannets are such photogenic subjects, and this one is no exception.
Your lighting was soft, off to the left a bit so you have nice shadow definition of the right side of the head. Stretched neck, angle of bill works well with a more vertical comp.

In regards to background, I think the more subdued colors and contrast in the right upper corner and lower left works pretty well, while the brighter gannet head under the subjects throat, and in the right lower corner are a bit distracting, esp. the area under the neck.
You may be able to do some subtle adjusting of the luminosity in those areas to tone that effect down.

For my tastes, the bill is too close to the left upper corner, and I might include a bit more canvas in that area if you have it.

Once again, thanks for posting, and look forward to more.

Randy

[John Chardine]

Welcome Henrik- Very nice portrait. Agree with Randy's points. Can you recrop to give a bit more room? I think some evening out of the BG would be helpful. Perhaps also a slight lightening of the eye would work too.