Animal Photography Photo Critique
Gull in flight
by Dennis Ellis
Views: 1363
Category: Animal Photography
Canon 550D
Lens: Zoom: Variable focal
Exposure time: 1/1000 ,
F-stop: F5.6
ISO: 100
Flash: None
Tripod: No
Description: I know Its just a common Gull, however I think they are still a beautiful bird in fli see all >
I know Its just a common Gull, however I think they are still a beautiful bird in flight. Thats what I'm conveying in this capture.
Photo Critique Summary
Subject of photo
9
Composition & Perspective
8
Focus
10
Use of camera, exposure & speed
9
Color & Lighting
8
Depth of field
9
General impression
7
Overall Rating
8.6
GuruShots Pro
Subject of photo:
9
Birds in flight are one of my favorite subjects! (Of course, that's true with almost all wildlife)
Composition & Perspective:
8
The composition and perspective on this image are very well done.
Focus:
10
I'd say the focus is about perfect.
Use of camera, exposure & speed:
9
I think all of these factors, use of camera, exposure and speed are all very well done
Color & Lighting:
8
Color is great, lighting looks a little harsh. I'm guessing this was taken later in the morning.
Depth of field:
9
Depth-of-field looks about perfect
General impression:
7
Hi Dennis,
Wow! You did a really great job with this gull in flight. It doesn't matter a bit to me if it is "just" a common gull, you did a really good job capturing this image.
To nit pick a bit, I'd suggest that the bird is a bit tight in the frame. With its wings virtually touching both edges of the frame, it makes things feel a bit crowded. In a perfect world, there'd be a bit of space between the bird's wings and the edge of the frame.
The bird is about center (vertically) in the frame. I'd like to see it on the top 1/3 of the frame.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive to use flash outdoors, that is one of the best places to use it. A bit of fill flash here would have helped illuminate the shadow areas on the bird and really make the image pop.
Keep up your birds in flight photography. If this image is any indication, you've got a lot of great ones to come.
Best regards,
Paul
How to improve your photo
1.
I'm not sure if your lens was zoomed all the way in, all the way out, or was somewhere in-between. Ideally, I'd like this image a bit better if there was some space between the bird's wings and the edge of the image frame.
2.
From a compositional perspective, I believe this image would be improved by placing the line of the bird and its wings on a line about a 1/3 down the image frame. Unconsciously to our minds this makes it feel as if the bird has a bit more room to fly into.
3.
For bird photography, an external flash unit (with an external battery pack for fast recycle times) and a flash extender make an excellent accessory. This would help you in situations just like what we're seeing here with the bird being strongly lit from one side. Adding a bit of fill flash can build a more balanced image.
Get feedback on your photos from Pro Paul Burwell