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Gull Gait

Been playing around with gull photos again. Can't help it, they're an endless source of amusement to me, probably because they appear so serious in wh...
Read more

Been playing around with gull photos again. Can't help it, they're an endless source of amusement to me, probably because they appear so serious in whatever they do...
Read less

COOLPIX P610

settings

Aperture 50/10 ISO 100 Shutter 10/12500 Focal Length 206/10

upload_date

Dec, 2016

Views

371

Likes

+69

Awards

People's Choice in Surprise me Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+14

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Superior Skill

Magnificent Capture

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was made on the Ohrid city promenade, which is one long stretch of lake shore created for enjoyable walks in any season of the year. And it is not only people which enjoy this space!

Time

October day, 14:38:35 exactly - which is well into the afternoon, as the shadows show. .

Lighting

Pure daylight, and nothing more. Parameters were 1/1250 sec; f/5; ISO 100; eV 0.00; at 20,6 mm focal length.

Equipment

Sun-gathering on the bench and watching the scenery, I used my Nikon P610 out of hand. No added equipment was required.

Inspiration

Gulls are always an inspiration, mainly in the way they behave. Aside from loud and dynamic competing about a tasty morsel that any among the flock might have noticed first, there is also this arrogant "we own it all" behavior against other birds, often shown in that characteristic self-conscious gait. Having spent a lot of time by the sea and other large water bodies where they are usually regular part of the ambient, I have learned to like the gulls much. Perfect flyers and swimmers, these small bodies in plenty of feathers are ruled by very intelligent beings, though sometimes it looks... well, otherwise! Gulls are weirdly human-like in many aspects.

Editing

A single strutting bird and its faithful shadow was copy-pasted several times, obviously. The rest of the work was about making the tiles around each one somewhat different, so as to create the "authentic" look of the surface. As there is always that proverbial "devil in the details", the size of each pasted bird also required a small correction, so as to maintain proper perspective. In all, it was more fun than work!

In my camera bag

My photo bags usually keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment, while I prefer to load my photo vest with what I need for my photo session, walk, or even a trip. The vest's many pockets will contain two cameras, spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, one photo clamp standing in for tripod. There will be about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. The vest also has large pockets that may possibly hold a small water bottle, sandwich, or bar of chocolate if I'm going out for the whole day. I may also include a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. My smarthone goes too, without saying. Beside it being yet another spare camera, the Spirit Level App makes the phone become a perfectly horizontal surface under my camera: essential for panoramic sweeps and/or time-lapse photos. This small and free app requires no extra permissions whatsoever. The large back pocket of the vest is reserved for lightweight rain poncho. If and when the weather plays up, the poncho covers all. That's all I need to make photos and, using the tools mentioned above, I can improvise along the way. So I find it easier to wear a photo vest than to carry any photo bag. Try it!

Feedback

Some situations require plenty covering of distances; some other situations are more profitable by sitting and waiting. In the case of urban gull population it usually does not make much difference, as these are used to people. Still, when you sit down to wait for a picture-taking chance, they will be more relaxed and consequently closer to you. That's just my personal observation; don't take it as a rule. All animals tailor their behavior according to their experience with humans. Animal photography is a lot like hunting, and it exploits all known hunting ways, bar the killing. The most common best advice for both activities you'll get will always be: Know Your Game. And that, of course, requires lots of patient learning.

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Gull Gait

Been playing around with gull photos again. Can't help it, they're an endless source of amusement to me, probably because they appear so serious in wh... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow LookSee

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Been playing around with gull photos again. Can't help it, they're an endless source of amusement to me, probably because they appear so serious in wh...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.