Dynamic Coast

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 7, 2010146 views15 comments

Clearing storm along the California Coast, Pescadero California. I was surprised to find a Pelican nestled along a cliff above the water. It was a bit of a balancing act along this ledge trying to compose the shot and deal with all the windblown sea spray without any sudden movements.
Thanks for looking and commenting.
Canon 40D, 10-22mm, f11, 1/3", Fill fl

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Peter Wintergren on February 7, 2010 at 5:15 PM

Great composition and colours. Nice sky, I realy like those clouds. Very fine shot.

Registered on January 24, 2010, 15 Posts, 174 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 7, 2010 at 5:15 PM

Oh the pelican adds so much, very cool! I do wish he stood out a little more - perhaps if you lighten the image overall a bit it would help?

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on February 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM

Thanks.
Floris, I originally dodged the pelican a bit but after some thought decided it looked too unnatural and removed it. I toyed with brightening the image in places but just couldn't get a result I liked and that didn't look over processed, but I do know exactly what you alluding to.

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on February 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM

The pelican rocks! Great comp. I do wish the image was a bit brighter, and the sides were lightened up (esp. the left side). Great shot Greg.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on February 7, 2010 at 5:49 PM

This is amazing greg. I love landscapes grand landscapes like this with animals in the mix. Very special image, one of my favs of yours that I've seen.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 7, 2010 at 5:51 PM

Greg - I know what you mean, I'd think just bringing up the whole image, and then holding back a little just on the horizon would work well (maybe keep the very bottom a little darker).

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 7, 2010 at 6:08 PM

This is nice Greg, but as Floris mentioned, I wish the pelican stood out a bit more. Other than that, nice sky and lead in with the foreground rock.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Wade Hardy on February 7, 2010 at 6:28 PM

Great shot! wasn't expecting to see a pelican, but it adds even more interest to an already wonderful scene.

Registered on May 2, 2006, 121 Posts, 1824 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 7, 2010 at 8:34 PM

The fill flash does wonders for bringing out the foreground rocks. Wonderful sky colors . . . but the pelican steals the show.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 7, 2010 at 11:51 PM

I like the comp and that pelican! You put him in a real sweet spot. The clouds add a lot to the shot as well, and the colors are nice.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on February 8, 2010 at 7:05 AM

I like how the fg lines take my eyes straight to the pelican and then to the sky. nice mood and colors. I agree with others about pulling a tad more light in some areas, but that´s minor, I´m just loving the light on the rock diagonal and pelican. the framing here is nice too, great comp.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on February 8, 2010 at 1:33 PM

I really like the contrast between the dark, rugged coast and the peacefulness induced by the sunset and the pelican. Very interesting set up and a great image!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Debjit Ghosh on February 8, 2010 at 2:48 PM

Awesome Greg. the pelican adds so much to the scene...nice use of fill flash here. i might also consider lightening up the upper portion of the rock, just a little but it doesn't take away anything from this wonderful shot.

Registered on May 11, 2008, 8 Posts, 211 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on February 8, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Wow Greg, and the pelican didn't spook? It does blend in a bit too well with the rocks though.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on February 8, 2010 at 3:55 PM

A very cool shot. I'm surprised the Pelican was so cooperative.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments