Unusual Model

[ipy12]

Shooting this seagull was very funny. I never saw a bird posing like this for minutes. It was staying there no matter what and didn't mind the people or the camera getting close.
Unfortunately at this time I just had a zoom lens with no bigger aperture, so the background is maybe still a bit disturbing.

Feel free to comment, I am looking forward to your feedback

 

[RVT1K]

I don't find the background too bad. Things can always be better but I don't find it distracting.

Since the gull was being so cooperative, did you try shots from different directions and angles?

 

[smoke665]

I suspect he assumed you would have food for him at some point. I don't find the background as bad as the crop. Backing up, or adjusting the view, as noted above would have IMO provided a better composition. When the subject is looking outside of the frame, it's better to leave room on that side. Likewise when cropping you need to give careful consideration to the parts being cut off.

 

[Jeff G]

I like it, gulls are just naturally photogenic and they know it!

 

[ipy12]

Since the gull was being so cooperative, did you try shots from different directions and angles?

Yes, I tried also different angles but I didn't like them that much in the end then when having a look at the PC ...

I suspect he assumed you would have food for him at some point. I don't find the background as bad as the crop. Backing up, or adjusting the view, as noted above would have IMO provided a better composition. When the subject is looking outside of the frame, it's better to leave room on that side. Likewise when cropping you need to give careful consideration to the parts being cut off.

Oke, thank you for that tip. I was probably too much focused on the rule of thirds and forgot about other things

I like it, gulls are just naturally photogenic and they know it!

Thanks

 

[smoke665]

I was probably too much focused on the rule of thirds and forgot about other things

The Rule of thirds is a guide, the key to remember is there are 4 points of intersection. I can't regenerate image that isn't there, but moving the eye to to the top right intersection gives you this.

Now you have space on the left, and the background minimized.

There's also the Golden Ratio. Moving the eye to the top right intersection gives a slightly different look

Crop guides are not fast and hard rules, but by and large they will give you a more pleasing image, and the Rule of Thirds is not the only guide. You didn't say if you're using Lr, but here's a good read on the crop overlays available in Lr. Using Lightroom's Crop Overlays to Help with Composition

 

[ipy12]

Thanks for the explanation.
I see the 'effect' of giving some space at the left where the subject is looking at. Especially in the first one. But with this crop also half of the bird's body is cut away.

Yes I am using Lr ... I will have a look at that

 

[smoke665]

But with this crop also half of the bird's body is cut away.

Not to be overly critical, but the bird was missing all of the tail, belly and legs in the original. When I encounter a situation where I have a problem area already, I choose to improve on the areas that I can and make the adjustments in the problem area. The better approach is to be wary of your framing when you snap the shutter. I believe most cameras have the ability to display a grid in the viewfinder. That can help you a lot in lining up the shot.

It's important to also be aware that simply placing a subject in a particular location within the frame is more then just slapping it on a grid intersect. Some more reading on the subject if you're interested. https://petapixel.com/2016/09/14/20-composition-techniques-will-improve-photos/

 

[N.V.M.]

Thanks for the explanation.
But with this crop also half of the bird's body is cut away.

where are the legs and tail to begin with? smoke665 simply made his crops more into a purposeful portrait style.

 

[ipy12]

Yes of course, you are both right with that. And I didn't mean that comment as a critique or anything, please don't get me wrong here. As I said, I like especially the first one.
It was just an input and I tried to keep at least the parts of the body which were available at that shot. Which is for sure not the best solution and I am happy about any of your feedback. That's why I am also here

And I see, it sometimes probably makes more sense to cut some things away, even if you don't want to at the beginning, just to focus on the main part of the subject.