Ring-Bill Gull In Flight

[Phil Ertel]

This image of a Ring-Bill Gull was captured on November 24th on Pine Island located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on an sunny afternoon at 2:11PM. I spent some time practicing capturing images of birds in flight.

This image is pretty much straight out of the camera. I did crop some off the left and top. Other adjustments were to boost the contrast a bit and run noise reduction on the water. I also selectively sharpen the eye.

Thanks for looking and of course any critiques.

Regards,

Phil

Camera: 40D
Lens: Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length: 170.0mm
Exposure: 1/800s at f/11 (Metered off the sky and +1 2.3)
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: pattern
ISO: 400
Flash: -2.0 (with Better Beamer)
Hand held

[Gus Hallgren]

Good one, Phil, I love everything about it. .. .

Well done

Uncle Gus

[Gus Cobos]

Well done Phil,
I like the details on the under wing. your whites are in check. The eye contact is super. I like the flight angle and the wing position. The blue background compliments your subject very well...good show...:cool:

[denise ippolito]

Phil. nice shot, great details and wing position! love where you placed it in the frame.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Agree with above comments well done. I am wondering if it would look better if the eye had a little less sharpening??

[Gail Spitler]

Nice composition, very sharp, well exposed---what else is there. Wonderful IF image
Gail

[Nonda Surratt]

Really nice Phil, the comp is super!

[Katie Rupp]

I really like this one, Phil, something about the contrast between the bird and the background (or the light on the wing edges) makes it really come alive for me.

[Harold Davis]

love the bg and the pose!! nice composition too.

hoping to be home for christmas. maybe we can hook up for a shoot somewhere in eastern NC. will be between zebulon and rocky mount.

[Alfred Forns]

Excellent Phil Good images take very little PS work to make them work !!! Only way to improve this image is softer light ... and you did very well !!

[Phil Ertel]

Thanks everyone for your comments I do appreciate them.

Alfred, I agree with you softer light would have been great. I'll keep looking it has to be around here some place.:D

Harold, I would love the opportunity to go shoot with you. I'll let you know when I'll be around hopefull we can meet up.

Best regards,
Phil

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Great capture Phil. Very detailed and sharp.
Congrats,