Spotlit Herring Gull

[Krijn Trimbos]

Also from the excellent day I had with Jasper. Not the most exciting species but sometimes it doesn't matter what subject you shoot as long as they cooperate and you have some great light. I ended up with several keepers with landing poses, and straight forward shots with nice BG but this one was a little different. The top of the gull was just lit by the last beams of sunlight while it landed on one of the rocks of the peer. I really liked the spotlight effect those beams had on the this juvi.

Comments & critique are welcome,

Canon EOS 30D 1/1250 f7.1 Manual
ISO 400
Canon 300mm L USM f2.8 + 1.4 Converter
RAW

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Krijn, I am here at the Seminar inPortlan, ME with about 80 folks. Here's what they have to say...Dave says,
"That's a helluva picture." Dave and Jackie love the spotlit wings and the gold tones. While I agree, my only wish is that the head had been spotlit also. Keep em coming!

[Doug Hitchcox]

Doug, Paul and Bob are here too, we wish we could see the legs better

[Harold Davis]

agree with the above comments. it is a helluva pic!! and would like to see the head brighter.

[Neil Losin]

Very cool effect, Krijn. I love how quickly the light falls off as you go down...

[Fabs Forns]

Lovely light and pose, a winner!

[Ramon M. Casares]

Love that pose and that unusual lighting! It works very well to me as presented but with better light on the head this one would've been just simply outstanding! Congratulaitons!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Like the showcasing of the feathers with the light on them. I like it as presented.

[Jasper Doest]

Great one buddy! That's probably my favourite one from you that day....I fully agree with Artie about the head...but it surely is something special....well seen!

[Krijn Trimbos]

Thanks for all the positive comments everyone! I agree about the head it is defenitely not as spotlit as the wings and that bugged me as well. I have tried some selective shadow/highlights, curves and saturation and I think I could get more out of this. I'll upload a repost as soon as possible.

Thanks again

[Krijn Trimbos]

Here is a repost with the spotlight enhanced (shadow/highlight/curves/saturation) only on the head, hope this is a little better.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Cheers,

Krijn

[Juan Aragonés]

Superb light and pose Krijn. I agree about the head but would love to have this one on my files:)