Seagull...

[Art]

Hi all this seagull in looking food on the beach of Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico

Can you please critic composition? it was cropped

Exif

Canon XS
focal length 300 mm
f 5.6
exposure 1/125 seg

[Mathieu C]

I would suggest going up to 1/400 exposure time to have a sharper shot.. 300mm lens requires faster shutter speed.. Increase ISO if needed to keep proper exposure.

Other then that it looks good

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by Mathieu C

I would suggest going up to 1/400 exposure time to have a sharper shot.. 300mm lens requires faster shutter speed.. Increase ISO if needed to keep proper exposure.

Other then that it looks good

The composition is good to me also.

There is a formula for taking photos at long focal lengths. The general rule is 1:1, shutter speed to focal length for hand held shots. Your capture was shot at 300mm focal length so your shutter speed should be at least 1/300, faster if you can get it. If shooting manual you will have to manipulate both the ISO and apeture to get your shutter speed and proper exposure. You can shoot shutter priority and allow the camera to make the other changes. The smallest amount of camera shake at the longer focal lengths are greatly enhanced.

[Shutteraddict]

Seagulls are one of my fav things to photograph in South FL. I shoot them all the time with my 50-250 and rarely have to go over 200mm to get them in full frame unless they are in flight. Try getting closer when they are strolling on the beach like that, and speed up the shutter speed in order to get a sharper image. Your'e composition is great and it's a nice shot. It is just a bit blurred

[RLucas]

I agree with everyone about 1/focal length for your shutter speed, however, I think this shot is out of focus. I think it has less to do with camera shake, and more to do with where the focus fell, which looks like it was on the sand right in front of the gull.
I quite like the composition though. It's very clean and simple.

[Shutteraddict]

That's a good point, it does look like it may be an issue of focus rather than shake. If that's the case, practice getting the focus directly on the eye, especially when you are dealing with a shallow depth of field like that. I also want to reiderate that its a great composition though

[sk66]

Originally Posted by RLucas

I agree with everyone about 1/focal length for your shutter speed, however, I think this shot is out of focus. I think it has less to do with camera shake, and more to do with where the focus fell, which looks like it was on the sand right in front of the gull.
I quite like the composition though. It's very clean and simple.

+1.
There really wasn't any need to be wide open either... except that you are mostly on the "shadow side" in harsh lighting conditions.

[Art]

Originally Posted by Mathieu C

I would suggest going up to 1/400 exposure time to have a sharper shot.. 300mm lens requires faster shutter speed.. Increase ISO if needed to keep proper exposure.

Other then that it looks good

Thanks for your comment
Art

[Art]

Great, thanks for your comments, I will follow the 1:1 rule
Art

[Art]

thanks for your comments
Art