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This was a quick grab shot.
I know the aperture/shutter speed were not right for this type of image, but this gull appeared in my viewfinder before I had time to input the correct settings, so I just fired off a quick shot.
I cropped to a letterbox shape as I thought it would suit the subject better.
I'd be grateful for any comments - good or otherwise.
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D3100  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 14 Jan 2012 - 11:10 AM |
| Focal Length: | 300mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/5.7 |
| Aperture: | f/11.0 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/100sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 200 |
| Exposure Mode: | Aperture-priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| Title: | Gull in Flight |
| Username: | 
WeeGeordieLass |
| Uploaded: | 14 Jan 2012 - 3:48 PM |
| Tags: | Wildlife / nature |
| VS Mode Rating |
Unrated These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Hi Guys,
Malcolm - I agree about the background. Maybe I should try blurring it a bit in Elements.
Frank - I like your crop better than mine - with my crop I think the gull looks a bit "hemmed" in. Yes it all happened quite quickly, as the bird appeared I followed it with my camera and when the lens focused I took the shot. I was surprised when I saw that I had caught the gull in flight.
Thanks for your help.
Elaine 
hi,
imaginitive presentration is a good thing and apart from the obvious tightness of the crop to the side top and bottom i think its quite different.
the texture in the sand isnt bothering me too much, blur it and it becomes another bird in the sky pic. the shape of the bird is pleasing too and to be fair its lucky if you get that because the movement of the wings changes everthing from frame to frame.
only suggestion i would have is to try 2 experiments.
first try a 180 deg flip so the birds on the left looking to the right as this often is more easy on the eye, something to do with us reading left to right by instinct.
secondly, try some different mono conversions as i have a suspicion that this picture may take on another level stripped down to basics and would look quite graphic and modern. may even look good this way as a canvas. you would have too try all the presets and various channels to find one that works with the whites and the sands.
there just may be a special image within this happy accident given the right treatment.
best regards
Phil
Thanks for sparking a vision on what this image could be Phil.
I'm not much cop with Elements but, thanks to your critique, I'll spend more time on trying to improve this image.
This website is great - I'd be clueless as to the potential of my images if it wasn't for others here who are prepared to give of their time and advice freely.
Cheers
Elaine 
I rather like this and apart from perhaps, a little sharpening and maybe flipping it as Phil suggests, I'd leave it alone.
I don't have a problem with the sand, nor do I mind the tight crop and the bird being close to three edges. But then, my views on the so-called rules of composition are well known!
Hi All,
I've uploaded a Mod - I'd love to know what you think. Changes I've made:
1. Flipped
2. Changed to Mono
3. Adjusted the background levels
4. Used the clone tool to lighten the area around the gull's beak as there was a black section. I've lightened the area to make the beak stand out more
5. Sharpened a little
I think this was everything I did.
Actually I like this mono version better
Thanx guys
Elaine
Modded your mod. (Not the original.)
I've simply increased the contrast slightly and cloned a couple of black lines back in near the gull's head.
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