David Kepley
April 2026 - Brown pelican
About the Image(s)
I just returned from a photo workshop on Merritt Island, FL. The focus of the workshop was open photographing birds. This brown pelican was hanging out on the rocks just below where the fishermen were cleaning their catch. I was really intrigued by the dark light and how it made the pelican look. What do you think?
Settings: Canon R7, Canon 200-800mm lens shot at 200mm, 1/6400 sec, f 6.3, ISO 1250, I used the usual sliders in LRC and added some canvas at the bottom in PS.
5 comments posted
This is a very unusual image of a brown pelican in dramatic light.Really liked the feather textures and placement of the head.I kind of wish that I could see more of the underside of this pelican because it looked like you had a good start for rim lighting under the body of the shorebird. Posted: 04/06/2026 05:57:30
Thanks wayne for your comments. You are correct that in this image the viewer cznnot see most of the underside of the bird. Normally I would say that is an issue, but my thought was that from an artistic standpoint breaking that rule made sense to get a unique and dramatic image of 5his bird. What do others think? Posted: 04/06/2026 17:04:00
What I like about this photo is that it is different. That difference being caused by the harsh lighting and the deep shadow. Posted: 04/10/2026 03:21:18
Danielle Collier
This is a really dramatic image. I think the darkness really highlights the pelican's eye, stance and shape. I do wish there was a tad bit more light on the underside or on its legs. Posted: 04/12/2026 14:08:19
Morrie Carter
Like others have said this is a unusual photo of a brown pleican. The body and textures of the feathers are great as is the postion of the bird which looks like it is preening. I think if a brush was used on the side of the head with the eye, going down the beak just to lighten the shadows a tad. My eye would not be drawn as quickly to the lighter area of the back. Posted: 04/13/2026 16:14:56