High-key Brown Pelican - La Jolla Cliffs

[Kerry Perkins]

One of the young brown pelicans hanging out on the rocks at La Jolla, California, a couple of weekends ago. Shot in the early morning light. Full frame.

7D, EF400mm f/5.6L
Manual mode, f/5.6@1/400 ISO 1000 WB 6600K
AI Servo autofocus, hand-held no flash

[Danny J Brown]

Kerry,

This pose is about as good as it gets as far as my taste is concerned. And I love the way it is standing on that rock...just right. The yellow on the crown is a delicious color that I've seen on mergansers before and loved. You really worked the whites nicely as they have just enough contrast to stand out from the white-hot bokeh. It ain't easy to get a new-looking shot of these guys. I really like this one.

DB

[Troy Lim]

Kerry, love the shot as is. But I am interested to see if just a tiny bit more room on the right might improve this shot? :confused:

[John Guastella]

+1 on Danny's comments - just a superb image in every way. I agree with Troy that a bit more room on the right wouldn't hurt, but comp as presented is fine.

John

[Patrick Sparkman]

Fantastic shot. Great over the back pose and perfect head angle. I am used to seeing these with the blue ocean background. Nice change of pace!

[Sid Garige]

Very nice high key image Kerry.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Not my type of image (high key) but I must admit that everything works here to yield a wonderful portrait of this bird!

That white neck looks so soft! pretty image, thanks for sharing Kerry.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I don't mind high-key every now and then Kerry. It looks great mate, maybe just a little tight, but perfect HA and pose! Well done buddy! :)

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Good work Kerry! In case you hadn't noticed I really like hi-key, and this image is is a prime example of why.
I might increase the satuaration and contrast very slightly, but thats about it.
You said young pelican, can't be too young or it would have mostly brown plummage. Maybe an adolescent?
regards~Bill

[Greg Basco]

Kerry, great job on the composition in-camera and the exposure. I think this is a really successful high-key image.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Kerry Perkins]

Thanks for comments all, much appreciated. I agree about space on the right - could easily add some canvas and it would not take away from the detail.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Kerry, loved the high key effect, pose and head angle. Terrific details too. I have this place on my must-go list.

[Jim Crosswell]

High key really works in this image. Perfect pose and HA. Well done Kerry!

[John Ling]

I like it! the white but soft background, the detailed feather...:)

[nancy hazen]

Beautifully captured. I love the pose and softness of the BG. My immediately goes to the eye.

[James Salywoda]

I love it the pose, detail and high key really work well as the Pelican really pops against that bg. Well Done Kerry!!!!