Pensive Gull

Gallery: AvianPosted April 23, 201049 views11 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm f/4 +1.4x TC. Monopod.

1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 200

Crop to 75% (13.5 of 18MP). A narrow strip of canvas added to the top of the frame.

Delving back into the Puerto Penasco shots from Feb, I hadn't posted any gulls yet, so I thought I'd post this Ring-billed Gull. I think the pose is interesting: can't tell if it looks thoughtful, pensive, shy, or something else. I like the clean bg and the interesting pose. I am not sure if a lower angle would have been better or if the higher angle complements the downward look.

Comments and critiques are appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 23, 2010 at 11:55 PM

Very nice portrait, Brian. I do like the head turn and the clear view of the eye.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 24, 2010 at 12:41 AM

I'll go with pensive! Lovely portrait view with super detail in the whites and a superb bg. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 24, 2010 at 3:42 AM

Nice portrait Brian - your title is very apt

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on April 24, 2010 at 5:51 AM

Higher ankle doubbles the pensive looke, well, what people make of it anyway, nice focus on the eye, lovely lighting.

Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on April 24, 2010 at 7:05 AM

Fine and unusual shot, Brian. I'm surprised that it looks so attractive showing so much of the breast of the bird and not the feet....but it does. Lovely detail. Lighting is great. I'm fine with the angle. At first I thought that the look was "sleepy". However, on closer examination I think this fellow is relaxed but very awake: I'd go with "pensive".

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 24, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Pretty portrait with great focus on the eye

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on April 24, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Brian,
beautiful portrait with excellent detail. The beak has pearly effect and the eye is so clear.
I like the pensive pose too.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on April 24, 2010 at 4:42 PM

Spot on Brian.I like the little shade on the eye.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 24, 2010 at 5:16 PM

Love the pose here Brian.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on April 25, 2010 at 8:23 AM

The shadow on the eye, combined with the downward glance of the gull make this shot for me Brian. Not sure why but I like that combination.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 26, 2010 at 2:18 PM

Very nice, the background helps offset the white color of the gull and I like the interesting look. Only one hot spot under the chin but wonderful job on the whites. The larger version was a pleasure to view, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments