It Came From Outer Space Part I

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

BrownPelicanCloseup.jpg
BrownPelicanCloseup.jpg1476×2000 880 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

When a rare bird shows up, I usually say to myself that it will be gone by the time I get there. Jenny stated that a brown pelican was observed at Lake Lansing in Haslett, Michigan. So off we went hoping not to be disappointed. After arriving we noticed the pelican was sitting at the end of a dock and I began firing away. This is a crop and the 1.4x teleconverter reduced the image quality slightly. I was hoping to get out there earlier because the lighting was fairly bright, but diffuse. Unfortunately, the lighting was harsh so I had to play down the highlights and brighten the shadows.

Specific Feedback

How do you think about the shadows & highlights of this photo?

Technical Details

Z9 600mm f4 + 1.4x Teleconverter (1/4000 sec at f5.6, ISO 320) Levels, DeNoise, Crop for comp, -highlights, +shadows, Brightness & Contrast…Jim

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2

Jim, how nice that one showed up for you! We must have 200 of them milling around the shore/docks/rocks now and for the next few months. Even though they are common in places, I still think the males are beautiful.
This is a nice portrait of this fellow, in a good pose, and a complimentary BG.
Well-done~

3

Hi Jim
Photographing Pelicans is always a good thing to do. I like the framing, my eye traveled up the Pelican to its’ eye and then back down to the two of its’ beak. The highlights and shadows look good to me. Nice work.
Peter

4

Less than 15 miles from where I (mis)spent most of my youth, Jim. The shadows and highlights look fine to me. A very nice portrait of this unusual visitor.

5

Good pelican portrait, Jim. Good job on the processing; very good detail.

6

Thank you @Sandy_Richards-Brown , @Allen_Brooks , @Dennis_Plank , and @Peter_Morrissey for your critiques. It was fun to see one of these in Michigan for sure…,.,.Jim