# Pelican Sunset **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [September 10, 2024, 2:43am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112 "2024-09-10T02:43:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ed\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_williams/32/65698_2.png) [@Ed\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Williams)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:43am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/1 "2024-09-10T02:43:55Z")
![HumboldtThreePelkicanSunset-topaz-denoise-sharpen.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/e/8e3470ca404a07f243fabe08490dbf2701429d43.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This was taken 18 years ago in Humboldt County on California’s North Coast. I didn’t know at the time I was supposed to shoot and keep RAW files. The mist in the sea air helped to filter the sun. The pelicans were cruising along the coastline. ### Specific Feedback I used a circular polarizer for this image. I would love to go back and try it again. I was probably even using Automatic everything on the camera. I’d love to hear your thoughts. ### Technical Details Canon Rebel XT, f5.6, 1/1250s, iso 400, 70-300 lens at 300 mm, circular polarizer. Topaz sharpening and denoise added in processing. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/2 "2024-09-10T13:12:22Z")
You (correction – the camera!) got a good exposure here and did a decent processing when it created the JPEG! But I’m glad you know better now! 😀 I hate it when somebody asks me how to get a good picture with a Rebel or some equivalent. I have no idea how to do basic settings on something like that. ---
**Author:** ![annlouiselyman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/annlouiselyman/32/21042_2.png) [@annlouiselyman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/annlouiselyman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/3 "2024-09-10T17:08:02Z")
Hello Ed, This is a lovely scene. The birds are in focus but a little small in the scene. Since you were lucky enough to catch 3 birds in a row as a silhouette against the orange sky, I thought maybe you could crop the image to make the birds a little larger. I tried a crop, bringing in the left side and the top of the frame. I then moved the third bird closer to the 2nd . (PS copy and paste) Maybe there are other ways to work with the birds. Really nice composition. ![AL HumboldtThreePelkicanSunset-topaz-denoise-sharpen copy](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/6/561f581035f861bfac1601e35b298f5362deb369.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_williams/32/65698_2.png) [@Ed\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Williams)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/4 "2024-09-10T17:57:10Z")
Thank you again @Diane_Miller. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few camera tricks, mostly right here on NPN over the last few years, and this year in particular. Thank you @annlouiselyman, I really like the closer crop in your edit. I will see what I can do to bring the birds closer to the sun with cutting and pasting them. ---
**Author:** ![Garnet\_Grosjean](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/garnet_grosjean/32/69370_2.png) [@Garnet\_Grosjean](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Garnet_Grosjean)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/5 "2024-09-11T23:43:00Z")
Hi Ed. Nice composition. Don’t you just love the effect that the early polarizing filters had on an image? The misty sea air, combined with the filter, adds a nice retro effect to the technicolour banding of the sun. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_williams/32/65698_2.png) [@Ed\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Williams)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/pelican-sunset/43112/6 "2024-09-17T23:52:14Z")
I agree, thanks @Garnet_Grosjean