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Sunset Gull
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Sunset Gull



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This seagull just happened to be in the right place at the right time...sunset over the Pacific.

This seagull just happened to be in the right place at the right time...sunset over the Pacific.
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cameraNIKON D7000

settings Aperture f/13.0 ISO 100 Shutter 1/640 Focal Length 42/1 

upload_dateApr, 2015

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410

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Awards

2020 Choice Award
Superb Composition
alansmith_9411 rjmccor maxmiecchi farmchick57 DuffyPhotos gregflynn sarmar212 +5
Absolute Masterpiece
amiralba Rinosoft RRahul0102 KenBrakefield PA16E
Top Choice
JoiceVarma ianjoseph kerrydonaldson rhondamummert
Magnificent Capture
christianmadsen marykklein dthurau Stoyanovska
Outstanding Creativity
kristenyoungwilliams
Peer Award
timferry

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Categories

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#ocean. sunset. bird
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Behind The Lens

Location

The Sunset Gull photo was taken during sunset while camping at San Onofre State Beach in Southern California. I enjoy taking photos of sunsets and learning how to better use the settings in my camera to gain a better capture, especially in the waning light.

Time

We had had a clear afternoon and there were no clouds in the sky. I was bit disappointed because clouds add to the spectacular sunsets in this area. I was still hoping to capture the sunset and perhaps some surfers on waves reflected by the light.

Lighting

The entire ocean had changed color from the lighting of the setting sun. It had gone from blue-green to orange. The reflection on the waves made it look like liquid gold. Yet there were enough waves to cast dark shadows across the water and create interesting wave patterns. I know that anything in from of the sun would show up dark, as a silhouette.

Equipment

I was shooting with a Nikon D7000 and set it on "Scene" and with the "Sunset" setting to allow for the lower lighting and the orange glow of a setting sun. I used a Nikkor AF 18-200 DX VR lens to close in on the subject. I used my trustworthy Manfrotto tripod as I had set up on soft sand. It allows me to adjust every leg separately and stabilize the camera so it will not move while shooting.

Inspiration

I had the camera ready to shoot just in case something turned up in the sky that would make the sunset more interesting. There are seagulls and pelicans always flying in one direction or another, so I was watching their journeys to see if I might be able to capture some crossing the sun as it set. Although it did not happen as I had hoped, I saw two gulls coming in my direction and possibly on target to cross in front of the sun, so I started shooting a series until they left the location. It was after I loaded the photos onto my computer and began to curate them that I discovered the frame with the one seagull under the orange sun, perfectly aligned.

Editing

I am an amateur when it comes to complicated processing. I did import the photo into Photoshop and used some basic tools to straighten the image and tone down some of the orange color. Otherwise, the photo was pretty much submitted as close to "as is" as possible.

In my camera bag

I carry a Nikon D7000 and shoot mostly with the Nikkor 18-200 lens. I just purchased a Nikon AF 24 mm f1.4 wide angle and going to work on improving my nighttime photography skills. We have some "Dark Zones" in the Southern California desert that I plan to explore soon. I also have some filters and a polarizing lens that I use for daytime shots. I retired an old, tired unsteady tripod and bought a Manfrotto with a quick release camera mount. It has made a big difference when shooting landscapes. I do not have much equipment but it seems to work for me.

Feedback

Sunsets can be boring or spectacular depending on the landscape, the sky, and other features that may be available to create a great composition. Patience and practice are key in capturing the sunset. Shooting directly into the sun requires the appropriate camera settings and filters as needed. Use a tripod to steady the camera and time shots if necessary.

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