Angry Pelican Critique

[nsaplayer]

Hello,

I took to stalking angry pelicans on the pier this weekend. I think I got a few good ones but would like some other opinions.


(Full size on flickr site)

Exif:
Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 145 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
Flash: No Flash


Photoshop work done on photo:
-all editing was done in CameraRaw - blacks, clarity and vibrance I think were the main tweaks. Might have nudged others, but I don't remember specifically going for those sliders..

Critique on:
-Composition - I think the image composition is SOOC (no cropping afterwards), should it be cropped closer or do you like the blue ocean behind him (her??). Does the fact that the bird's body is cut off bother you or detract at all?

-exposure - Lighting was pretty harsh at the time... does the dark shadow on the back of the neck and between the eyes take away at all?

-Focus- I think I got the eyes pretty sharp, but then end of the beak is a little soft. I don't know if it moved really fast or it was just that I had such a wide open aperature and the beach was angled a bit towards me that it fell out of focus.

-Color - I upped the vibrance in the computer, is it too much? the blue is REALLY blue... but then the ocean in this area is generally pretty much that color...

-Misc photo contents - There was a fishing rod behind the bird that was pretty much blurred out with the f2.8..but you can still see something there.. should I clone it out?
-does the weird neck angle both you? does it look too awkward and uncomfortable?

Also, Any other comments/feedback are welcome. I hope this is specific enough.. I tried to look at it as if I were critiquing it...

Thank you!

[egoggle]

I actually liked it! The background really isn't the main focus here so need to worry about that - it's the pelican. To me, the position is not at all weird. After reading the title of the picture, the position actually makes him look, well, angry! He has a sort of, "what you tryin' to pull?" look on his face. All the shadows and position and colors really do work well in the picture.

[gturner]

I like the shot but I think you could use some more DOF.

at 2.8 and 1/2000 you are a pretty tight string.

With no background except the horizon a shot at F7.1 even F9 might have given some added detail

[Chip]

Originally Posted by gturner

I like the shot but I think you could use some more DOF.

at 2.8 and 1/2000 you are a pretty tight string.

With no background except the horizon a shot at F7.1 even F9 might have given some added detail

I agree. This would've helped get the beak in focus. I still have trouble getting enough DOF in photos like this.

Great job framing this in camera.

Everything else looks good to me.

[nsaplayer]

Thanks for the comments!!

Next time i am out there I will take minute to think more about the Fstop I am using. This is the only lens I have (so far) that is 2.8 so I am always excited to use it. :-)