a different take on seagulls

[Cheryl Flory]

although this photo is not my most eye-catching photo I took today, it made me laugh. I'd love to hear your ideas how to improve these shots, especially how to get more detail in the snow (and feathers if they were open in the picture).
ISO 200
1/640
f14
290 mm
exposure correction +1.33

Thanks!
Cheryl

[Dave Phillips]

interesting comp Cheryl.
About detail: light casting shadows is best detail enhancer we have IMO.
When subjects are backlighted, there are no detail enhancing shadows.
Get good frontal/slight side light and the detail will be there

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Cheryl Dave is correct This is one that calls for fill flash As is you can play with the mid slicer in levels and will enhance the color of the sand Then you can try the grey on the wings

A good example of how important it is got nail the image in camera Enhancements can be done but its better to be close

I love the poses Those laughing gulls are a fun to watch Good looking pair ........ btw there are no seagulls :):cool:

[Cheryl Flory]

Ring-billed gulls are not seagulls? didn't know that. I really need to practice my fill flash. I have never gotten it right yet. It sounds like it should be simple, don't know why I can't get it figured out. I was wondering if I used a fill flash if it would make the gulls blend into the snow too much. The fill flash would have also given the spark of light to the eyes too.

[Nonda Surratt]

Cheryl,

I really, really like the comp and love those red mouths! I know nothing about flash so can't help you there, will say that my gull image was taken in high over cast flat light and I was on the wrong side had the light been good.

Ring-b gulls are gulls, no seagulls as Alfred said

[Cheryl Flory]

thanks, Nonda. Now I need to figure out how to change the title of this thread.

[Alfred Forns]

Don't worry about the tittle btw I call them seagulls all the time !!!! :)

................didn't know they were standing in snow :eek: For the fill flash just set your flash to -1 and blast away The only concern is if you have enough power When the shutter speed goes beyond the sync speed you loose a lot of light

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Sheryl,
Love these little guys. Living in New York with the snow for many years, I can safely say that a little bit of fill flash works for compositions like this one. It will bring out the details on the feathers. Like Al says try going -1.0. Experiment with your flash system. Love the composition; practice with your flash...:D

Gus Cobos...:cool:

[George DeCamp]

I like this image, good interaction. YOu have good advice already about the fill flash. It makes a huge difference!!

ps: Are these females? :D:D

[Cheryl Flory]

Thanks, George. Yes, I need to work on the fill flash.
females??? why would you ask that??:D
I don't know, but I didn't see any eye lashes, so I'm going with "nope, not females".

[George DeCamp]

females??? why would you ask that??:D
I don't know, but I didn't see any eye lashes, so I'm going with "nope, not females".

hehehe!!! ;)