California Gulls

[RbnDave]

Any thoughts on this picture. I took this in Santa Cruz a few weeks ago. Seagulls aren't the most exciting subject, but now that I am back in grey Ohio I am starting to like the colors in this photo. What do you think?

http://www.pbase.com/image/20324433.jpg

[Conk]

The photo is nice and colourful however I find my eye's going to the buildings in the background. I think you could get away with it the way it is but cropping just abouve the Gull's heads might be an option.
What do you think?

[phidong]

Damnit. I can't stop looking at the blurred buildings in the back either. =( Its like a disease, it keeps pulling my eyes up towards the buildings. :x Its definitely a nice picture that reminds me of Finding Nemo.. haha ;) Colors are great. The only thing I could think of (expanding on Conk's idea) is to crop the picture w/ only one Gull and do it in a vertical fashion. Having one gull would reduce the "can't focus on the gulls so I'll look at the buildings" effect.. :p

[SoCal69]

You might also try adding some additional blur to only part of the photo...say above the waterline. That may help minize the distraction of the buildings. Otherwise the colors are great and I think its a very nice shot.

[RbnDave]

I like the buildings in the background. I'm afraid that cropping the the photo down would make it a boring picture. My intent was to capture a California waterfront scene. Without the buildings it's just a picture of a seagull. I limitted the DOF to make the gulls the center of attention, but I wanted to keep the bright colors of the waterfront to set the mood. The question is does the background draw you into the photo or does it create a distraction?

[RbnDave]

Also, thanks for all the comments.

[Conk]

The question is does the background draw you into the photo or does it create a distraction?



Distraction

[Mark Kemp]

We are often told not to put 2 of anything in a picture as they will compete.

Its one of those 'rules to be broken' but in this case

I think maybe everyone sees the background so much because their eyes are going between the two gulls all the time

[RbnDave]

Thanks for all the comments on my seagulls.

After some thought and your imputs; I know how to fix this picture. I think I would need to take it from a lower angle. If the gull's heads would intersect the row of buildings in the background I think they would be less of a distraction. All I need to do is fly out to california and get these birds to pose for me again.

[stopbath]

Unfortunately, only one bird is in focus, this may be why the eye wanders...

The background could do with some blur to retain the colours, but loose the interest.