Hovering Gull

[Mark Corpe]

Hello everyone,

I've just joined this forum and I thought I'd make my 1st post here if that's alright. Quite new to serious photography having gotten a Canon 7D about 8 weeks ago. I enjoy photographing wildlife, particularly birds, but can I say straight away I'm a novice with a lot to learn so I'll be grateful for any constructive criticism.
The shot of a Gull below was taken at North Shields fish quay using a 7D handheld with 70-200mm IS @ F2.8. The EXIF data is:
Camera Model Canon EOS 7D
Shooting Date/Time 30/11/2011 11:13:41
Copyright Notice Copyright 2011
Owner's Name Mark Corpe
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/2500
Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5
ISO Speed 250
Image Size 4268x2827
Flash Off
Filter effect N :None
Toning effect N :None
Color Space sRGB IEC61966-2.1
File Size 4677 KB

I took this as a JPEG (only started shooting RAW in the last two days since getting a copy of photoshop elements) it has been cropped about 25%. I've sharpened it slightly and reduced the noise slightly. I'd appreciate your thoughts please.



Thanks,

Mark.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Mark,

Welcome aboard, thanks for joining the team. We have an Educational and Tutorial forum that can be very helpful. I have pasted a link to a nice read that will help you get going.
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...e-photographer

It is at the top of the forum and named,..My-Pictures-Don-t-Look-Like That. It references a book or CD named "The Art of Bird Photography" and it is invaluable.

Regarding this post a couple of suggestions. Notice the black uneven OOF object at the bottom. That is called a triangle it is distracting and pulls the eye away from your subject - crop some of the bottom and leave a clean edge. Same for the red object on the right side, make sure you subject is the subject. Remember you control the frame. You decide what goes in and out of the image.

Gulls are great birds for learning this is a nice action shot. Notice there is little light on the birds body, the majority of the subject is in a shadow. Try and get light on the head and eye, position the sun (or light source) over your shoulder where the shadow is pointing at the subject. Remember, the more you practice and post the better you get. Thanks for sharing, read the thread and keep em coming. This the place to learn, where I started.

PS - get a 1.4/2.0 TC for Christmas (smile)

[Mark Corpe]

Thanks Jeff, I'll read that. A 1.4TC is next on my list to buy before, hopefully, a 400mm L F5.6