Pelican Panoramas: I'm new to this part of the forum and decided to post these here. I'm learning and always looking for feedback. Please feel free to make suggestions. These didn't...

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

I'm new to this part of the forum and decided to post these here. I'm learning and always looking for feedback. Please feel free to make suggestions.

These didn't seem to look right with any other crop, but may be cropped a little too tight.

I had my white balance set for shade. As a result the originals came out a little on the warm side and had to be adjusted in post. Let me know if you want to see any originals for comparison.

Thanks for looking. -Vicki

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Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

I think the crop in #1 is just right. It would be interesting to see the original. White birds can be difficult to get just right. I shoot everything in the manual mode and when shooting white birds I try to underexpose the shot. Of course I have to adjust it in PP but it's easier to do if underexposed. What program do you use for your post processing?

Nice shots by the way. I love those white pelicans.

Lamar

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Sunfish 33 wrote:

I think the crop in #1 is just right. It would be interesting to see the original. White birds can be difficult to get just right. I shoot everything in the manual mode and when shooting white birds I try to underexpose the shot. Of course I have to adjust it in PP but it's easier to do if underexposed. What program do you use for your post processing?

Nice shots by the way. I love those white pelicans.

Lamar

I've been trying to shoot in manual. PP is done with a Dell program call Paint Shop Pro Studio. One of these days I'll learn Photoshop, but I seem to be able to do quite a bit of easy fixes with what I have.

Thanks for looking and commenting. I'll post the original for comparison.

original of #1

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

vicksart wrote:

I've been trying to shoot in manual. PP is done with a Dell program call Paint Shop Pro Studio. One of these days I'll learn Photoshop, but I seem to be able to do quite a bit of easy fixes with what I have.

Thanks for looking and commenting. I'll post the original for comparison.

Thanks. I'm still trying to learn Photoshop and Lightroom 4. I haven't used Paint Shop Pro. I'm certainly no expert but I do think the crop in #1 is really good.

nat Loc: Martha's Vineyard, MA

Talk about repetitive patterns! Love these!

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

nat wrote:

Talk about repetitive patterns! Love these!

I'm glad you like them. They almost appeared to be dancers in a chorus line as they fished. It was quite impressive synchronization.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Nice photos! Isn't it fascinating the way they seem to herd the fish? :)

Are these American White Pelicans with the black band underneath the wing? I've caught a few shots here; they come to eastern Washington in late spring/early summer.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Really like the first one and the PP...good job!!

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Linda From Maine wrote:

Nice photos! Isn't it fascinating the way they seem to herd the fish? :)

Are these American White Pelicans with the black band underneath the wing? I've caught a few shots here; they come to eastern Washington in late spring/early summer.

They've perfected group fishing, almost forming a "net," and were fascinating to watch.

Yep - American Whites. Have you noticed the way they fly? As they circle, they seem to disappear and reappear depending on how the light hits them.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

rlaugh wrote:

Really like the first one and the PP...good job!!

Thanks rlaugh. I really appreciate it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

vicksart wrote:

They've perfected group fishing, almost forming a "net," and were fascinating to watch.

Yep - American Whites. Have you noticed the way they fly? As they circle, they seem to disappear and reappear depending on how the light hits them.

That is so neat that you mention that since yesterday, for the very first time, I witnessed what you described! :thumbup: :thumbup:

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Linda From Maine wrote:

That is so neat that you mention that since yesterday, for the very first time, I witnessed what you described! :thumbup: :thumbup:

:thumbup:

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I like the crop in #1. There is enough background to "set a stage" and give the birds a home, so the first shot works fine for me.

I like shot 2 over shot three because there are more birds to create the feel of the lines. There is formation in shot two.

Shot three I think needs a bit of head room----the birds look crammed into the top edge. Also some of the birds look a bit soft in the download version.

You managed to not blow out the white---and that is really good because whites are hard to capture.

Over all, these are a pleasing series.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

treadwl wrote:

I like the crop in #1. There is enough background... (show quote)

Thanks again for the critique.

I had problems with some of the crops only because of other things in the shot behind the birds that I didn't want to include. I think that's what was wrong with the third (an island covered with geese and pigeons). I find it hard to be sure what is right with some of these things - what to leave out or in - when it might detract from the "story." Maybe, in this case, it would have been better not to use the shot.

I've already gotten a copy of Moose Peterson's "Captured," and may take to San Diego with me this weekend. It looks good. I'll commit it to memory. Thanks for the recommendation.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

vicksart wrote:

Thanks again for the critique. br br I had proble... (show quote)

You will enjoy Moose. Just for the record--lots of times at my local birding areas I see other photographers shooting away like mad. I look at their gear, mentally frame up what they are shooting and frequently decide, if I shot that, I'd never keep the shot, so I don't even take it. If I'm not going to get something I want, then why take a useless shot---unless I'm trying out some now idea. Sometimes I just enjoy the scene. In the Smokies recently everyone was still shooting at a bear, the light was all but gone, there was nothing but gloom, so I took no shot. Lots of folks asked why, with my gear I wasn't shooting, my response---I wouldn't like the results.