A big welcome to BPN. This is a great place to learn and grow.
Excellent timing on your landing here. Sharp.
Several things to consider. The light angle is well off to the right, making for lots of shadows on the bird. The closer to over your shoulder the light is, the more even the illumination on the subject will be. In general you do want at least the face/head well illuminated.
The light was also a bit contrasty, which is particularly hard to handle on a black and white bird.
Most people find the subject more engaging when it is angling towards them, rather than away. There are always exceptions, but that is a good starting point.
As far as the composition, I would prefer a little extra room at the bottom for the bird to land into.
Please be sure to include your camera and post processing details.
Cheers Randy. Thanks for the nice comments and the helpful cc. Best way to learn.
The camera is a Canon 7D and the lens is the big Canon 400mm f2.8 L IS. It was the first
time out with both as I had just bought them the day before. (3 weeks ago). I now have a
Sigma 120-400 f2.8 as well, bought 2 days ago.
The picture was cropped tightly as there were half birds below and the main bird was a little
right of centre.
Exif data is F2.8 @ 400mm, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100,
Last edited by Kerrigan Evans; 11-19-2010 at 09:37 PM.
Hey Kerrigan, welcome to BPN!! You've found the best place to learn all you need about bird/nature photography:cool:
Great advice by Randy, and I can only echo his comments (watch that light - angle and quality). Another thing to look out for is slanting horizons. Here the image is sloping down from right to left. Always best to get it level.
Excellent timing on your part, and I like the habitat. Pelicans make great subjects don't they!
Cheers Dan. All advice and cc is taken on board.
The habitat is about 5 minutes walk from where I live and the Pelicans
are there all the time. It's a great place for birds where I am.
They sure are excellent subjects to photograph.