Hello all. I was lucky enough to photograph last week at Bolsa Chica with Doug Brown and Jim Salywoda. This was an Elegant Tern that kept returning to this perch. It made for an interesting subject for me.
This is my first post on any forum like this. I would consider myself a "weekend photographer" with much desire to learn. I am using Elements 6 but still have a lot to learn! Comments/critiques are welcome. Thank you...Kristin
Kristin: I, too, am new to the site. I really like the colors and the background -- wish there were some catchlight in the eye and just a little more head turn. I think I might crop some of the stump off since it doesn't add to the photo. Is this breeding behavior? I am from Colorado and don't see many of these! Good work!
Congrats on taking the plunge Kristin! This Eager to Learn group can be kind of tough on new members ;) but you're sure to learn a lot. Joanna makes a good point about the perch. A little more head turn would be nice, but I like it as is too. I believe there is a catchlight in the eye. Well done, and welcome aboard!
I like the pose and think you did a nice job with exposure. I've only posted a couple of pictures myself, but learn alot by just looking and reading other posts... Welcome!
A fine first post Kristin well exposed and some excellent detail. I also like your choice of composition it works well with the pose you captured by the Elegant Tern. These birds have such cool behaviors....:) I do agree with alittle bit more of a turn towards the camera . I too can see a catch light in the eye. Well Done!!!!
Hi Kristin,
Big welcome from the UK!
I love the bird's pose and I think that the head angle is fine.
I would crop out much of the post. I too see the catchlight.
Regards,
Nicki
Big Warm Welcome Kristin !!! So glad you decided to post !!! Will be fun
Love the image just removing some of the perch as suggested and would prefer a little more head turn You did great with the exposure since there is good detail in the shadow areas difficult in these birds !!! Looking forward to more !!!
I agree with Al...big high five on not blowing the highlights on the bird! There is one small hot spot on the back tail feather but that's so minimal and the rest looks really good!
Always try to get the bird's head either even with the focal plane of the camera (meaning totally parallel) or else turned towards you...usually the more turn the better as you want the bird to (usually) make some kind of eye contact with the viewer. I think this head position is pretty close to parallel but you can see how the beak tends to bend away from the camera instead of towards it just a bit if you look really close.
That said, you did a wonderful job catching good action and your overall composition is very nice. Less perch and a little head turn and you would have nailed it!
IN the perfect world the perch would have been more natural or at least only the pointed bit in the middle. Yet your bird has a nice pose, almost great head angle and a good exposure. You are on the right track Kristin. :)
Elegant Tern
