Nature Pelicans

Kozlok · 10-19-2012, 08:54 PM

I'm relatively new to even halfway serious photography. Here are a couple of my favorite shots of Pelicans. I'm trying to improve, so any helpful suggestions are appreciated.

Alliecat · 10-19-2012, 10:51 PM

Cool birds

I like the idea of the one in focus in front, & the others out of focus behind. His feathers are sharp, but he's pretty close to the bottom of the frame; his tail is just a bit cut off. I think the background doesn't work here though -- both the shapes & the colours distract considerably from the pelicans.
#2 works because it doesn't have the same problem -- a little more space below the bird, & a less "busy" background. Also sharp, & the colour tint is ok too. This guy looks quite stately & striking. You got a little catch-light in the eye in both shots, which is always good.
"Halfway" to serious photography is ok -- as long as the serious photography is still fun!

So, carry on, watch your backgrounds/depth of field, & cropping.

Kozlok · 10-20-2012, 06:51 AM

I find your comments about the background on the first shot being distracting very interesting. I really liked the boat in the background, thought it brought context, but you don't like it. It's interesting to get a different perspective.

I didn't even notice the problem with framing, I had cropped it down slightly trying to get the eye of the first pelican right on the 1/3 line. Here it is opened up to include the tail, and I also rotated it slightly. Is this a little better?

VTerlakyPhoto · 10-20-2012, 07:26 AM

When I saw the first set I had the same comment about cropping and distracting background. I also see your point about finding the ship interesting. The thing is that if you want to show something that is interesting, it has to be in focus. Like this it's not even recognizable as a ship (I thought it was a pier...), and as such it becomes a distraction. I do like the new crop a lot more actually, and the line of pelicans and DOF is very strong in my opinion. Do watch those dust goobies though! (they are at the left top next to the ship)

The second image is nice and sharp, with the perfect DOF to separate the pelican from the background. I'm not sure if I like the colour cast though, I wonder what the colour version looks like

.

Kozlok · 10-20-2012, 01:42 PM

I didn't like the second one in color, there just didn't seem to be much there in terms of a colorful image:

VTerlakyPhoto · 10-20-2012, 01:51 PM

Well, for what it's worth, I do prefer the colour version much more. Just be careful with your background - the wall is in line with the bird's head... a small step to the left and the whole background is blue sky

10-19-2012, 08:54 PM	#1
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Pelicans Lens: smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED Camera: K-X Photo Location: Florida ISO: 200 Shutter Speed: 1/750s Aperture: F5.6 I'm relatively new to even halfway serious photography. Here are a couple of my favorite shots of Pelicans. I'm trying to improve, so any helpful suggestions are appreciated.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Pelicans	basquist02	Post Your Photos!	3	06-10-2012 04:48 PM
Nature Pelicans up close	Harish Hegde	Post Your Photos!	14	11-09-2011 06:09 PM
nesting Pelicans	kirb*	Monthly Photo Contests	2	07-08-2011 06:06 AM
Nature Non-flying Pelicans	slowpez	Post Your Photos!	2	04-03-2011 09:22 AM
Nature Pelicans	Harish Hegde	Post Your Photos!	20	10-28-2010 05:57 PM

10-19-2012, 10:51 PM	#2
Alliecat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East of Everywhere, Canada Posts: 740	Cool birds I like the idea of the one in focus in front, & the others out of focus behind. His feathers are sharp, but he's pretty close to the bottom of the frame; his tail is just a bit cut off. I think the background doesn't work here though -- both the shapes & the colours distract considerably from the pelicans. #2 works because it doesn't have the same problem -- a little more space below the bird, & a less "busy" background. Also sharp, & the colour tint is ok too. This guy looks quite stately & striking. You got a little catch-light in the eye in both shots, which is always good. "Halfway" to serious photography is ok -- as long as the serious photography is still fun! So, carry on, watch your backgrounds/depth of field, & cropping.

10-20-2012, 06:51 AM	#3
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148 Original Poster	I find your comments about the background on the first shot being distracting very interesting. I really liked the boat in the background, thought it brought context, but you don't like it. It's interesting to get a different perspective. I didn't even notice the problem with framing, I had cropped it down slightly trying to get the eye of the first pelican right on the 1/3 line. Here it is opened up to include the tail, and I also rotated it slightly. Is this a little better?

10-20-2012, 07:26 AM	#4
VTerlakyPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 107	When I saw the first set I had the same comment about cropping and distracting background. I also see your point about finding the ship interesting. The thing is that if you want to show something that is interesting, it has to be in focus. Like this it's not even recognizable as a ship (I thought it was a pier...), and as such it becomes a distraction. I do like the new crop a lot more actually, and the line of pelicans and DOF is very strong in my opinion. Do watch those dust goobies though! (they are at the left top next to the ship) The second image is nice and sharp, with the perfect DOF to separate the pelican from the background. I'm not sure if I like the colour cast though, I wonder what the colour version looks like .

10-20-2012, 01:42 PM	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148 Original Poster	I didn't like the second one in color, there just didn't seem to be much there in terms of a colorful image:

10-20-2012, 01:51 PM	#6
VTerlakyPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 107	Well, for what it's worth, I do prefer the colour version much more. Just be careful with your background - the wall is in line with the bird's head... a small step to the left and the whole background is blue sky