Cape Cod Seagull

T4int3dInn0c3nc3 · Jan 21, 2012

Hey everyone on TPF! I'm new here(ish). This is a seagull I photographed at a local harbor. Then quick run through Lightroom. Please C&C with any advice you have.

How would you have taken it differently? Different settings, perspective?

Exposure: 1/2500
F Number: 5.6
ISO: 100
Flash: No flash
On my Canon Rebel T3

Carny · Jan 21, 2012

maybe moved to the left a bit so it isn't so centered and the other bird's butt isn't in the pic

T4int3dInn0c3nc3 · Jan 21, 2012

Carny said:
maybe moved to the left a bit so it isn't so centered and the other bird's butt isn't in the pic

Yeah I have other pictures but unedited:

Any ideas anyone on how to edit it? Im not exactly a pro at lightroom

Ron Evers · Jan 21, 2012

It is not a Seagull.

However, it is a gull.

CowgirlMama · Jan 21, 2012

The second one's a little dark... You can adjust the exposure some. I don't use lightroom, so I'm not help there. I only know photoshop.

Cyclographist · Jan 21, 2012

I agree that the first one should be a bit more to the left. Then you get rule of thirds and you also don't have the other seagull in it. Great shot and colors otherwise, I love the post that it is standing on. I much prefer the first shot over the second one. The second one needs to be a bit brighter and although the background is significantly blurred, the gull doesn't seem to "pop" out of the background as much as the first bird. Nice shooting though!

MSnowy · Jan 21, 2012

nice. and in Ma. they are seagulls

Ron Evers · Jan 21, 2012

MSnowy said:
nice. and in Ma. they are seagulls

All I can do is try to educate.

ph0enix · Jan 21, 2012

Below is my quick edit. I think it works better in vertical orientation, without some of the background distractions and the bird not being so centered. I also adjusted the white balance, exposure and sharpened it a bit. One problem is the crop being to tight on the right but I really wanted to keep the left edge of the wooden pillar in the photo.

ph0enix · Jan 21, 2012

T4int3dInn0c3nc3 said:
Carny said:

maybe moved to the left a bit so it isn't so centered and the other bird's butt isn't in the pic

Click to expand...

Yeah I have other pictures but unedited:

Any ideas anyone on how to edit it? Im not exactly a pro at lightroom

I wouldn't bother with this one. The positioning of the white poles behind the bird is unfortunate. That particular angle doesn't do much for me either.