AJD7777

Gulf Coast Pelicans Trio

Taking photos along Gulf Coast at sunset

Taking photos along Gulf Coast at sunset
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Jun, 2016

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Superb Composition

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Top Choice

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Absolute Masterpiece

+10

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

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Behind The Lens

Location

This picture was taken at the East end of Dauphin Island, Alabama, near Ft. Gaines at what is called Pelican Point. I was facing South-Southwest and the sun was beginning to set just to the right of the picture.

Time

I had spent most of the day at Dauphin Island, spending much of earlier part of the day on the West end. This photo was taken in the early evening at 5:15 pm on 31 Jan 2016.

Lighting

The sky was fairly hazy and I knew that the sunset would have a spectacular yellow-orange glow. The sun was beginning to set towards the West and I wanted to exclude the sun from the photo and just catch the glowing sky towards the South-Southwest.

Equipment

I used a Canon 7D Mark II with a Canon 100-400 mm (version 1) telephoto lens with a tripod. No flash

Inspiration

The inspiration for this photo was the lovely sky that rendered a beautiful background for almost subject one could photograph at that particular time. My attention was initially focused on the two cormorants roosting on the two posts off shore, but then along came this group of Brown Pelicans flying perfectly into the scene, so I just waited for the right moment and fired away.

Editing

I did a little tweaking by slight increase in contrast, slight decerease in highlights, and slight shadow increase.

In my camera bag

When I go out to shoot, normally I take my Canon 7D2 body for along with the Canon 18-135 STM zoom lens plus the 100-400 mm zoom for birds/wildlife. If am ambitious I will also take my Canon 6D with the 24-105 zoom and just leave the 18-135 home.

Feedback

To capture a similar photograph you will need to choose a time when there is a fair amount of haze in the air (windy day at the coast where dust is being blown around). In this instance the sky was essentially cloudless. Shoot in the direction of the sun but don't include the sun in the frame you are shooting. Once you have the lighting just wait for a subject to traverse your field of view and capture the beautiful result. I like shooting in manual as it gives you more control over your frame.

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AJD7777

AJD7777

Gulf Coast Pelicans Trio

Taking photos along Gulf Coast at sunset

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow AJD7777

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