Grey Headed Gull

[Stu Bowie]

I went to a wetlands area close to the Johannesburg International airport yesterday morning. This area is frequented with Flamingo's and Grey Headed Gulls. Since the flamingo's didnt want to pose, I was stuck with capturing images of Gulls. I wished for more ss in this, so maybe upping my ISO on my next visit will sharpen the wings a little more. Taken early yesterday morning. I have blurred the BG, as it was a little busy, but feel it doesnt look unnatural.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1600
F/7.1
ISO 400

Exp Comp - 0.3
Hand held

[dankearl]

I think the BG goes very well with the gull. It looks attractive, natural and colorful.
In this case, I do feel that sharp wings would look better. I think OOF wings in a more head on photo look
natural and add motion, in a side view like this, sharper is better for me.
Very nice IQ as usual.

[Jeff Dyck]

Nice image Stuart. I am not too hung up on sharper wings - while they would look good, your attention does go straight to the eye as it should, not the wings. The background does look very natural - I wouldn't have know it was an artificial blur unless you had mentioned it. I might crop a little tighter (in from the left, with equal amounts off the top and bottom?), but that's just a personal preference.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Nice capture, I don't mind the slight blur in the wing tips I agree attention is quickly focused on the eye (it is not as if we actually see the wings pinsharp in the wild anyway). I may be tempted to lighten the left underwing a little I think this may also increase contrast between it and the bill thus rendering it a little more obvious. The background - I think you have done a really good job and looks just fine to me.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stuart - bg doesn't bother me at all. I am immediately drawn to the head and eye. I like the pose and the light is beautiful.

TFS,
Rachel

[Melissa Groo]

I think BG looks fine, nice job. I do think as you note, faster SS would have been preferable to have the wings sharp. But I really like the light and position of the bird, and your comp. Nice one, Stuart.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the feedback. Always great to hear different opinions, and thats how we all learn.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Hey Stu, I actually love the bg. It shows the habitat nicely without taking away from the bird. The exposure and sharpness are perfect.
I especially love the shadow of the bill on the far wing and the legs on the fanned tail ;)

[christopher galeski]

nice image,like the pose,and the BG is magic goes well with the bird,and the blurred wings does not bother me.thanks.

[John Ippolito]

Stuart, the brilliant BG makes the gull pop for me. Lovely morning light, and sharp from beak to tail. Wing blur is OK.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the comments everyone.