With a very cooperative preening Ring-billed Gull standing on a post at eye level, my challenge was to capture a good image of the behaviour. I wanted a correct HA, which can be difficult with preening images, an open eye, and feathers between the mandibles. This was the only image that had all those wanted elements gelling together. Full-frame, except cropped left and right for a square crop.
This is pretty cool, I like the light, crop and exposure control. A wider DOF would have been great. Maybe you could selectively sharpen the tip of the bill a bit more.
Daniel, I really like this composition and I will keep it in mind when I try to get close-ups. Love the quiet moment captured-it has a very peaceful feel.
I especially like the angle of the beak in this - not quite diagonal but it draws your eye right from the eye through to the feathers. Great crop and comp IMO - you kept every necessary element and nothing more...outstanding!
I love your choice of dof, the way it falls off adds a soft (in the good sense) quality, almost a dreaminess to the entire presentation. Creative, thoughtful, inspirational.
Well thoughtout Dan. The tight crop works well, and good control on the whites. I like how the yellow of the eye and beak stand out against the lighter plumage. Well captured.
Really like this image Daniel! Probably my favorite of yours in quite some time. I would however sharpen the tip of the bill and the feathers between the mandibles. Well done!
These gulls are all over here and easy to over look. The detail and color in the soft flesh at the base of the beak brings a new appreciation for this breed. Like the crop too - makes me want to work with similar willing subject matter that I may be dismissing.
RBG - The preen.
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