Greater Black-backed Gull

[Ilija Dukovski]

I wish I had cleaner BG. I tried to get the blacks and whites in one shot here.
Although none overexposed the neck was bit flat, I toned it down a bit.
Cropped from right, top, bottom, added canvas left.

BTW the GBBG is possibly the largest gull of them all.
Comments appreciated.

Nikon D80 Nikkor 300mm +TC1.4 1/5.6 1/4000 Matrix AP -1 ISO400

[Kiran Poonacha]

Good One llija, loved the Pose and Ha, the details looks good, just need some work on the white of the neck. would have loved a little more lower angle and would suggest some room off from the top and more room at the bottom.. still a lovely one.. congrats.

and thanks for the info on the bird.. cheers

[Erich Stevens]

llija,

I really like this. Over the shoulder eye contact is very engaging and I think you handled the EXP very well. I also like the BG. I think it's clean enough...there isn't anything too distracting there to my eye. AGree with Kiran, I'd shift the canvas down a bit to make more room at the bottom. Nice one!

[Harshad Barve]

I am loving this over the shoulder pose, Fantastic species, nice eye
agreed with Kiran, all in all lovely image
TFS

[David Fletcher]

Very nice Iliya. Like the head angle and perspective. Think you did well with the exposure. A few blacks in teh deep shadows were clipped, which is to be expected given the range. Whites on the neck look ok on my monitor. (max I got is 235,), and only feel a little detail may be lost on downloading as in PS look ok. Like the comp as you presented.

[LouBuonomo]

We overlook gulls so often. Good job with DOF of this pose.
Lou

[Joe Senzatimore]

Eye is killer sharp and the over the shoulder look is fantastic.

[Brian Barcelos]

Nice one Ilija, I agree that gulls are always over looked and sometimes even hated on by a lot of people. They are actually quite funny with lots of personality. You did great with the whites/blacks here. Head angle is super but I would have liked just a little more room on the left. Congrats

Brian

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I would tone the neck whites down a little. Great HA and eye contact. Well done Ilija. I like it. :)

[Ilija Dukovski]

Thanks everyone, points about crop taken, neck whites too.

[Ilija Dukovski]

would have loved a little more lower angle

Kiran, here I tried to get the feet to be visible, I had flat enough surface to be able to do that,
any lower angle and they are hard to see.