Kittiwake

Sweet image

Still can't make my mind up on the framing tho', one side of me is saying its too far right and turning/flying out of the picture, but the other half is saying its nicely balanced by the OOF surf acting as natural eye lead in to draw you across to the smaller subject

It's one of those images (and I have many examples on file) where it doesn't fit the 'established' principles. On that basis, I like the OOF surf and the subject flying away from it, but can understand why this wouldn't be to everyone's taste.

I am therefore in agreement with Mike but would be interested to read other members views

I think the oof surf balances the image. Well done, Phil, for thinking out of the box.

David

Certainly a different approach Phil , but I can't decide on this one I,m drawn to the surf.
JohnR

I found the more I looked at it, the more I liked it, it is certainly different and has a dramatic appeal. Terrific colour.

I like it, the BG adds a dramatic edge to the image, composition is spot on

Well I think this is absolutely superb A beautifully composed shot that ticks every box for me.
Good work.

Simon

AT first glance the waves looked like the smoke clouds coming out of a jet plane, especially with the pose of the bird. Overall I like it.

Think it works very well.

Phil the more i look the more i like it,real dramatic action.

Keith.

Bird is spot on. I've revisited this image several times in terms of composition and reckon that you have to look at the larger photo to really appreciate it. The concept is excellent and my only niggle would be that the bird is in line with the white patch of breaking water - to my eye I might have preferred the bird a tad higher and the white patch a tad lower in the frame. Obviously hard to achieve given the speed of the bird across the bg in real life! I do like it a lot though.

I like this one Phil - a lot

If my eye moves to the OoF surf it immediately jumps back to the subject - clever - and nice. Good one

I can't speak for the rest of your kittiwake images Phil as I've not seen them ;-) but I think this one is super - a bit 'off key' one might argue but really works well for it imo. Real sense of movement and energy. Also well balanced for my tastes.
I had thoughts of doing some bird photography this year at Bemptom but really want to wait until I've managed to find myself a reasonably priced 2nd hand Wimberley sidekick - even if you have done a super job of handholding here!