Kelp Gull

[Stu Bowie]

What do you do when it has been raining, its overcast, and the wind is gusting. You fetch your camera, sit on a bench at the beach, and see if there is anything to photograph. This is not a black and white image, nor a selective coloured image, but merely as stated, overcast conditions. I managed to capture this Kelp Gull as he flew past me over a stormy sea. Taken in Cape Town during my holiday in december

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/4000
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp Comp +0.67
Hand Held

[William Dickson]

I like the 'feel' of this one Stu...Nice comp, the stormy sea adds so much. Nice detail on the bird with a good flight pose, the red on the bill gives a good colour boost against all the greys.

Will

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stu, an interesting concept for sure and I like the way the wings curve around, the bill adds the colour it needs.

Sadly there appears not much more you can pull for the whites and if there were some darker greys, it may have added to the layered structure of the wings, even a levels Alpha channel doesn't add unfortunately and adding Contrast will loose the detail.
Glad you had time to get some snapping in during your vacation Stu.

TFS
Steve

[Randy Stout]

The stormy sea really adds to the story here. If you have even a bit more below I would be tempted to add it to strengthen that story component.

I realize the lighting was very muted, but tried to perk it up a bit, while maintaining the overall feel. I ran a soft light blend mode at 75% strength. The whites on the edges of the feathers are tough as Steve mentioned,

Just an option.

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks Will, Steve and Randy.

Randy, your version has addressed more life into the blacks, and overall, the Gull does pop more. Thanks.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Re post really looks nice.

I like the image some where between original and repost.

Wish head was turned toward us.

TFS

[gail bisson]

i like the repost.
Image has a nice stormy feel.

[John Mack]

Sounds like a game plan to me. Nice to see the eye through the wings. Detail looks quite nice. Im sure this reflects the conditions you described.