Hartlaub's Gull. This was taken in a lagoon just outside of Cape Town, South Afica. When the weather is calm, the water is like glass, as can be seen in the image. This was created from a pier, thus not getting down to eye level. I managed to capture the reflection on landing. Because of the perfect symmetry, I left some space at the bottom, so as not to have the subject too central.
Canon 20D
100-400 L IS USM focal length 400mm.
1/1600
F/8
ISO 400
Last edited by Arthur Morris; 03-04-2008 at 07:50 PM.
Very nice. I like the timing on the splash and the reflection is just awesome. I think the semmetry here would allow for a centered composition if you wanted one, but I like it as is just as well.
I do wish the that head didn't merge with the tail and appeared more like in the reflection. The impossible-for-this-image lower angle would have fixed that.
I like it as noted above but wish that the bird's head were dead straight ahead...
later and love, artie
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I would go for an alternative crop to those suggested so far and bring in the sides for a vertical crop. That would, for me, really emphasize the X shape. Maybe a teeny clockwise twist, too.
Please don't lighten it: Stuart you know this gull has a grey head in life!
Last edited by john jackson; 03-05-2008 at 05:58 AM.
Reason: added lighten comment
The perfect landing
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