pelican

[Sathya Vagale]

nikon D-90 nikon 500mm+1.4xTC

[Sabyasachi Patra]

It is good that you finally managed to post. The frame is a bit tight. More space all around the pelican would be good. The normally accepted norm is to provide more space in the direction the bird or animal is moving or looking. Since you were using a 1.4x converter with the 500mm, I guess this is a full frame image without cropping. So removing the 1.4x would have been better.

One can try to include the reflection if the reflection is not broken by choppy waters.

The image looks a bit soft. It happens when you use a long lens. So one needs adequate support. Use of a tripod, bean bag or monopod would be better. Some people handhold, however, one needs to remember that the shutter speed needs to be high.

The rule of thumb for shutter speed is 1/focal length. So if you were using a 500mm + 1.4x which means 700mm, the shutter speed expected is 1/700. The rule of thumb was created in the film days. With the advent of digital, the sensor sizes are smaller. For eg. the D90 that you are using has got a smaller sensor and hence your focal length gets effectively multiplied by a factor of 1.5 . So the 500mm+1.4x ie. 700mm optical focal length becomes an equivalent of 700*1.5 = 1050mm.

At such magnifications, one needs stable support and good technique. You may refer to this article on sharpness: Indiawilds: Land of the Tiger. Conservation, Wildlife Photography, Communities (http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268) (One needs to login to access this. Non members can register here: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/register.php )

The green background of the water has become accentuated. Did you any colour correction in photoshop?

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Mrudul Godbole]

The eye contact is nice. I agree photographing without the 1.4X TC would have been good. A lower angle (if possible) would have enhanced the composition further. Thanks for sharing.