Neck-bending Pelican

[pesawa]

Folks,

would like to know if this is too much crop or not? If yes, should I crop more vertically to show its feet or horizontally to provide more space? My intent was to show how focused this pelican was in grooming its feathers and nothing in the world would bother it. I was able to get quite close and watch for an hour and take few shots of course :-).



EXIF Data:
ISO 400
135 mm
f/10
1/1600 s
Minor adjustments in contrast and saturation were done.
Background is a dark pond for which I increased black point to get as dark as possible.

Cheers for comments.

/p

[boun]

I would really love to see some more of this pelican, it is ok if you want us to focuse on one thing but here you only got me focused on his wing and not a bit on the ritual of cleaning itself...
I have to say you did a great job with light it looks so surreal

[pesawa]

Hi Boun, many thanks.

Would this work better for you?

[boun]

Second one, way better in my opinion which I have to warn you is not a pro

First one would maybe work for me if it was a vertical shot with his whole legs seen
Must say I Iove this second picture, such nice warm colors and good standing out, good PP and I also like this empty space it really improves composition

[JannKC]

Can you tell me how you "increase black point"? I prefer the 2nd one also.