# American White Pelican **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [September 3, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362 "2018-09-03T03:02:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![S\_Govindarajan](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/s_govindarajan/32/423_2.png) [@S\_Govindarajan](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/S_Govindarajan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/1 "2018-09-03T03:02:30Z")
![EOS-1D-Mark-III2018_07_07_0971-2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/2X/5/5241315d9714b5e493fbba26072ea37d98e9365e.jpeg) ### This is an image I made last month when the air here were relatively clear. This pelican was feeding against a backdrop of reeds. The angle of sunlight put the bird in a spotlight. I found the scene and light very pleasant with the combination of the white pelican against a dark background. ### 840mm on tripod ### 1/1250s@F8, ISO 400, -3 Ev (-1 during shot and -2 in post-processing) ### I am interested to know what you think of the exposure and composition - whether the pelican is too centered. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/2 "2018-09-04T18:24:55Z")
I think the comp works well. You might be able to bring up the whites half a stop as it seems a little dark. I am fine with the position of the pelican in the frame. ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_Shellenberg](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/matt_shellenberg/32/389_2.png) [@Matt\_Shellenberg](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Matt_Shellenberg)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/3 "2018-09-05T19:55:31Z")
I really like this composition. This scene looks very natural with nice subdued light. You choice of aperture gave the water a nice soft effect. I do see a loss of detail in the Pelican. It looks like the effect of noise reduction or a pretty heavy crop. ---
**Author:** ![S\_Govindarajan](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/s_govindarajan/32/423_2.png) [@S\_Govindarajan](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/S_Govindarajan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/4 "2018-09-06T00:24:33Z")
Thanks for your feedback, @David_Schoen, @Matt_Shellenberg. Not sure why the image did not appear sharp - it is a full frame image with the focal point being on the pelican’s wing. It may have softened when I resized it. I have added a further round of sharpening to it and brightened the pelican by a stop. I am uploading the final image to the avian gallery folder. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Waugh](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/max_waugh/32/512_2.png) [@Max\_Waugh](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Max_Waugh)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/5 "2018-09-07T14:57:02Z")
I like the final version you posted in the Avian gallery, but there was one thing I noticed in it… so I’ll have to make my comment here. To me it looks like the pelican is tilted slightly… like it’s swimming downhill from right to left. I would take a look at the line where the body meets the water and see if it needs straightening. Otherwise, the final image looks very nice. Good light and smooth tones. Max ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/6 "2018-09-07T16:54:24Z")
Hi S Govindarajon I like the lighting, detail and reflection of the Pelican. I would how ever bring up the lighting on the grass, just a little. Peter ---
**Author:** ![S\_Govindarajan](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/s_govindarajan/32/423_2.png) [@S\_Govindarajan](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/S_Govindarajan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/7 "2018-09-08T00:17:14Z")
Thanks for the feedback, @Max_Waugh. I had leveled the image using the reflection in the water. The pelican was slightly swimming towards me (which I prefer) - not sure if that gives the impression of a tilted image. I will check it though. ---
**Author:** ![S\_Govindarajan](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/s_govindarajan/32/423_2.png) [@S\_Govindarajan](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/S_Govindarajan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-white-pelican/362/8 "2018-09-08T00:21:40Z")
Thanks, @Peter_Morrissey. I have posted the final version of this image in the avian gallery - but I will consider your suggestion in the original image,