American White Pelican landing

[Dan Brown]

I captured this guy yesterday at the local slough. This is full, full frame! It's a little tight for me but I like it all the same! PP'ed in ACR and CS3, had to QM and clone out another bird in the BG.

Camera Model: NIKON D300, handheld
Shutter speed: 1/1500 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D
Focal length: 400mm
Focal length: 600mm (in 35mm film)
VR Image Stabilization: On
AF mode: AF-C

[Desmond Chan]

Agree that it's a bit tight...hey, but why didn't you zoom out? :D Perhaps add some canvas to the left? The water level doesn't look level to me somehow :) Otherwise, I think it's a good capture. Details, light, the action look good to me.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Dan,
I like the capture...your subject is tight all the way around the frame...would suggest on opening up the background a tad, its a wee bit on the dark side, also would lighten the eye and selective sharpen it just a little...I like the feel on this one...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

Just all the shadows are hurting and from your position nothing much you can do !!! Almost like shooting in mixed light Did well with the exposure and PS !!!

[Phil Ertel]

Nice capture of action. Good comments/suggestions from above. I just want to add that I like the wing positions and the splash. Thanks for sharing.

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Dan, I like the action, the HA and the dramatic lighting and being too close to the action is rare for me so it must have been exciting.