Sat at Blackwater NWR, MD and watched this pelican for a hour or so waiting for the sun to get low enough to get some good light. it had been on the same rock for 4-5 hours without doing much other than a little preening.
PP in LR4, adjusted levels, sharpened, slight crop for framing, remaining image about 95% of the original.
I think it coud probably use a lttle more canvas on the bottom, but I wa reluctant to add it becsue how busy it is.
Comments and criticisms are welcome.
First of all, I commend you on your patience which is a big part of nature photography and capturing special moments in special light. I agree that you need more canvas below and I would not have added it either for the reasons you state. I like how you placed the rocks in the lower left corner and a little more water would have been nice. Nice pose but the branches are unfortunately truly distracting in this image.
Your self assessment is spot on. Great job on waiting for the sweet light, too. I do have to agree with Marina though, the close branches creates a very distracting backdrop. I think you could have used a bit more -EV, maybe down to -1EV as the whites seem a bit hot on my monitor.
Marina, thanks for the comments. Fortunately it was sunny day and not very cold (mid 40's), and talking to a fellow photographer helped to pass the time. I agree about the branches being a distraction, but this was one of those situations where you have to live with what you have for the environment. I have number of other shots, but I think they all have the same problem with the backgound.
From a PP perspective, I'm wondering if blurring the background would make the branches a little distractring.
White Pelican - Wing Flap
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