Pelicans at Fort Pierce Inlet

[deep6jonah]

Went to the beach today after visiting an art exhibit. Got 350 shots of some brave souls kite surfing on a grey, blustery, cold day. Caught these pelicans roosting on some rocks along the jetty on the way back to the car. The big boy in the middle was just landing in the midst of the others. I was really enthralled with the colors--they are so brilliant and subtle at the same time. I cropped it very close. My first post here.

[Muskogeeradtech]

Good exposure and composition the only thing I dilike is that all the bird have their back to you. You know the saying never take a pic of the south end of a norh bound horse. otherwise a great pic

[SNAPaPHOTO]

I understand that taking wild life pictures takes huges amount of patience. Something I don't normally have. Why couldn't the pelicans just undestand if you yelled out to them and told them to turn around, would have been a much better picture.

Maybe I will stick with kids and people so I can yell at them.


PS Welcome to the group!

[Richard A Busch]

Welcome, I to like nature and what Muskie said is true 99% of the time. Butt shot should be left up to the nudes, but every once in a while there is the one. Also watch your crop a tight crop like you have with the wings just at the edge is not liked. Just give the some room and if they are flying more space in front then in the rear. There is a Photographic contest in New England where it is a combo of good photography and naming of your photo is what help you win. Because they like the story behind the photo.

Richard

[deep6jonah]

True, but two things. One may not be obvious from the pic, but to shoot them from the front I would have to have had a boat. And two, pelicans are not so interesting to me from the front. I mean I have shot them from the front before, and was not as pleased with the result. To me--and it may just be a matter of personal preference--the colors and definition in the feathers is are just more striking from the back side. Look at the range of values in each feather on the outstretched wings. Just not available to the same degree from the front. Still I appreciate all your comments. Thanks.

[Richard A Busch]

Well that is the fun of photographing Wild Animals even if the Animal is a dog of your own. It is just like your kid at some point in life they just are not going to do what you ask. But the point was timing. Ok I did not think you were in a boat and understand thats what it would take to get there. We just will give you hints or tips because we really don't know each other here. I will be willing to bet maybe only a handful have met in person. Having no clue of how long you have been photographing, what you use, classes you have taken, clubs you belong to and what you know about Photography. So it is best if you start off at basic and then move up because there is nothing that said everyone is a master at this, and even myself as a Sr Member means jack, cause you get that by responding to peoples post.
Along time ago I was helping someone w/ a speaker issue over the internet. She was using windows 3.11 so I went to my X's pc and was going to work with her. I was just about to have her open up the control panel when I thought K.I.S.S. keep it simple stupid, and ask her are they turn on. Long pause then Thank You.

Also if the tip does not work for you it might work for the next person reading the post.

Richard