Dalmatian Dispute

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created from the fisherman's boat at Lake Kerkini, Greece yesterday with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, the EF 2X III, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/8.

I am debating as to whether to remove the wing of the third bird... I sorta like it as it shows that there was a crowd.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Randy Stout]

Artie:

My first reaction was to consider removing the wing, even before reading your description.
It does however seem to be what the two birds are looking at, so it does act as a focal point for their behaviour.

Do you have more canvas here, or is this full frame?

Randy

[Greg Basco]

Arthur, this is a really cool image. I think the wing needs to stay as the image to me is all about graphic elements, and that wing is an interesting element to my eye. Love the light too. I like this a lot -- really different.

It would be interesting, though, to see a repost without the wing -- perhaps I'd change my mind.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Kiran Poonacha]

Yes really different and artistic Guru.. The angle of the beaks with the little of the wing showing makes this..

[Stu Bowie]

Good DOF, and I like how the bill of the pelican on the left follows the line of the BG. I would like to see a version without the wing.

[Paul Guris]

I'm definitely anti-wing. It seems superfluous to me and has no attachment to the other birds. If I hadn't seen your previous pelican shot, I would not be thinking "there's two pelicans in a crowd", I'd be thinking "there's two pelicans and one more who snuck its wing into the photo." The wing also seems to jam in too close. Again, not showing that it's in a crowd, just that there's a piece of wing near one bird's head.

The other thing that bothers me is the coloration of the wing. The white of the plumage, the orange of the bills, and the two separate blues in the background make a gorgeous color palette to my eye. The darkish gray/brown wingtip is simply an intrusion on an otherwise perfect blend of colors.

I think that without the wing, this is a seriously "stop and gawk" kind of photo.

[Arthur Morris]

Artie:

My first reaction was to consider removing the wing, even before reading your description.
It does however seem to be what the two birds are looking at, so it does act as a focal point for their behaviour.

Do you have more canvas here, or is this full frame?

Randy

Thanks all. They were not at all looking a the wing. This was a dispute, possibly involving three birds. I will lose the wing asap :)

[Alan Murphy]

Removing the wing leaves more focus to the amazing expression on the bird near the wing and turns this wonderful image into a very special one. So many captions could be put this this one :-)

[Pieter de Waal]

Love the composition Arthur well conceived with nice angled lines created by the beaks. I agree with the removal of the wing which IMHO detracts from the strong composition.

Wow those pouches sure are a bright orange colour.

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

These guys are so photogenic! Love the hairdo's. Beautiful texture and color on the pouch. I would loose the wing too, and also the white wing part at the bottom frame edge in the middle. Keep shooting them. Love it! Overcast lighting works really nice here.

[Neil_burton]

Would like to see it without to be sure but I would have cloned it I think ;) Brilliant colours on the pouches though.

[AlvanBuckley]

I also vote for no wing. I think it is more distracting than anything. Is there a fourth bird down low, or is that part of the wing of one of the main birds in the image? I might consider removing that too.
Great DOF and hairdo's

[Brendan Dozier]

What amazing looking birds, Artie. Great capture, and agree w/ removing wing. I think the two elements that really make this shot are their amazing looking faces/expressions and the perpendicular angle of the bills and pouches. Look forward to seeing more of these guys from you! TFS

[Peter Farrell]

I will join the no wing crowd. Otherwise an excellent image. Great exposure and colors. I really like the S&P look of the birds as well as thier messy hair. Looks like you don't need the 800mm in Greece?
Peter

[Marina Scarr]

What great looking birds these are. Love the tufts of hair on the tops of their heads. I love this image, but without the wing and without the left bird's shoulder.

[Arthur Morris]

Removing the wing while preventing any Clone Stamp Tool lumpiness was more difficult than one might think :) I like both versions. Thanks all for commenting.

[Arthur Morris]

Clemens and Marina, Yes, I will leave the top of the wing of the left hand bird as it shows its aggressive mood :) Thanks for the suggestion.

[Chris Martinez]

Those Greek Pelicans have the most amazing frazzled head feathers. Really adds character.

The positioning and poses of the birds looks so random yet perfect at the same time.

[Greg Basco]

Arthur, Ok, I'm convinced -- it is cleaner without the wing there. I was hopeful about leaving it in because I thought the shot had contest potential as something refreshing, graphic, and different. But, the repost is nicer to look at Still, I love the soft light and texture as well as the comp.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Greg, I have saved two versions so a contest entry is not out of the question :)

[Greg Basco]

Good deal, Arthur.

Cheers,
Greg

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Great IQ and loving the colours on their beaks. I do prefer the repost, definitely takes this image to a higher level TFS

[Patrick Sparkman]

For me the repost is much better. The wing distracted me in the first, so I never really noticed how the angled horizon leads to the same focal point for the birds. Great action capture.

[Layton E Parham]

I love the wing, It imparts a sense of activity, and also creates another diagonal into the picture. Beautiful work Artie!

[Paul Guris]

I just showed the original to my wife, who is an interior designer and has a better eye and memory for color and composition than anybody I've ever met. (No offense intended Artie!) She took one look and instantly said the wing had to go, and also agreed about it not belonging with the other colors in the photo. Just one more opinion, but I thought it might interest you coming from a very different artistic discipline.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey, as I believe I said above, I like them both. Here more folks like it better without the wing and I am fine with that. It is all just a matter of personal taste.