Brown Pelican

[Don Jacobs]

I was in Florida the past few days for some business. Had a chance to get out in the afternoons Was amazed to see how many times these guys dive/crash into the water fishing. It's a wonder they can even take off again. I shot this using the 7D, 300 + 2X TC, ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/2000 HH. C&C greatly appreciated.

[Marina Scarr]

You did a really nice job on this pelican in flight, Don. Good wing position and angle. Exposure looks good. The only thing I would consider is if you have room, I would move him down a little and to the right just a tad in the frame. He seems just a little stuck in the corner.

Glad you enjoyed your few days in Florida. :)

[Don Jacobs]

I didn't have much room at the top but had some to move him out of the corner.

[Doug West]

Don...do you have Photoshop by any chance? If so, this is the perfect image to add some
top to in under a minute.

Select the whole image with the crop tool (make sure the dimensions are Clear).

Then pull the top of the image to expand the top a little. The result is you'll the extra space
the same color as your Background Color.

Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool.

Select the area of water across the top wing, the whole length of the image.

Click on Edit->Free Transform.

Then take what you just selected and pull that up to cover your recently expanded canvas.

You might have to do some cloning, etc. to get rid of some repeated patterns, but that's all
there is to it.

Doug

[Elizabeth Stout]

This is a fine image of a pelican in flight. I like the wing position and details in the feathers. I agree that the bird feels a little cramped up in the top. The background is nice.

Glad you had fun in Florida

[Jeannean Ryman]

I love watching the pelicans. Nice capture and agree with the others about the framing. Try the technique Doug suggested on your repost.

[Don Jacobs]

Here is my "horrible" attempt at following Doug's instructions. I apologize for my lack of skill/knowlege in processing.

[Doug West]

Don...you have the right idea. Just needs some practice, that's all.
Looks like all you did was apply to much cloning and/or blur. Try it
again, but stop after you do the free transform part. Then see what
that looks like.

That's what I did here (its not 'perfect' but it should give you something
to go by)...



Doug

[Doug West]

Here are the more exact instructions for anybody else that might be interested. It comes from Art Morris'
Blog titled "Free Photoshop Tutorial Video: How I did That!"

It's a mp4 video that takes you thru the steps on enlarging the canvas and adding background in easy
steps. Just click on the second image of the duck to start the video.

http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/...-how-did-that/

Doug

[Faraaz Abdool]

Ah, this is a technique that I've long wanted to try out. Only just got the PC up and running though. Now to get PS!

Nice catch of this pelican, Don. I love the wing position you captured. Doug's suggestion and repost works wonders.