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Life On The Edge


Life On The Edge
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Haynes (PaulH) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS400D, Sigma EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 APO DG Macro, 55mm UV Filter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-12 9:49
Viewed: 3204
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello,

This was taken on top of some the largest cliffs in Dorset, called 'Gad Cliffs' near Kimmeridge Bay. I was a bit unsure as to whether this is a Landscape or wildlife shot, but have decided to class it under 'Birds' as they do seem to be the main focal point.
So, to compromise, here's some general facts about Gulls (i THINK these are either Common or Herring Gulls) and a little something about the British Cliff environment.


Gulls:

Small to large seabirds, many of which also live inland for at least part of the year; some are strictly marine. Most are grey, black and white when fully mature, but extensively marked with various shades of brown during from one to four years of immaturity. They have long, slim wings and can fly exceptionally well, but also strong legs, which give them reasonably good mobility on the ground. They swim buoyantly and often resort to water to roost at night. There are many other gulls around the world that do not visit the UK.

Cliffs:

Maritime cliffs are an important habitat for many plant and animal species. About 4,000km of the UK coastline is classified as cliff. Unlike mountains, which are defined as being over 610m (2,000ft), the definition of a cliff does not specify a minimum height, but refers to a steep or perpendicular slope.
Cliffs can be divided into two broad types: hard and soft. Most hard rock cliffs have ledges where seabirds such as fulmars, guillemots and kittiwakes can nest, while gulls prefer to breed on grassy cliff-tops. Other birds that nest on rocky cliffs include ravens and peregrine falcons. The cracks and crevices in the cliff-face fill with guano and soil sediments and are colonised by hardy coastal plants like thrift, sea campion and rock samphire.
Cliffs built from soft rocks, like sandstone, are continually weathered away. This makes it difficult for plants to establish a foothold and impossible for large seabirds to nest. These softer cliffs attract burrow-nesting birds like puffins and sand martins, and invertebrate species such as mining bees, digger wasps and weevils will also establish colonies here.

Again, another shot taken from my archives on a summer day just past.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend.
uleko, eqshannon, gracious, Juyona, gerbilratz, Silke, SunToucher has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To lawbert: Hi PaulPaulH 1 10-12 10:04
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Paul
Superb focus on this one giving a real sense of depth to the photo. Im not sure if going wider and bringing in more of the sea would be better or cropping down and losing the left hand third of the picture would improve it or not..but as it is its another superb shot that is detailed and sharp exactly where it should be.
Tfs and best best regards
Paul

I love the crisp clarity of the birds with good colour. Then there's the backround that's slightly out of focus to contrast. Very nice.

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 799 W: 152 N: 1186] (7474)
  • [2007-10-12 10:57]

Hi Paul
compo is great and DOF just what you need
LOVELY
tfs
tom

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-10-12 11:41]

Hello Paul,
Amazing capture of these gulls at the edge of the steep rock. The light is wonderful and so are the colours. Great sharpness and beautiful diagonal lines on the rocks. And the glimpse of the sea on the left complete this great shot!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

You give some real height and depth to their perch. Having more than my share of fear of heights, I can feel the rocks as they crunch and slip away under me. Great perspective.
Bob

Hello Paul,
Very good DOF on the Gulls section against the majastic cliff that I can see!
the exposure and focus is very well done!
thanks for sharing
have a great weekend, Paul!
Tony

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2007-10-12 15:01]

Hola Paul,
preciosa foto,
bello pov,
un disparo genial :)
saludos amigo.

Hi Paul,

I like the way the focus is concentrated in the rh corner....with the background fading back giving a sense of scale and distance...

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-10-13 1:56]

Hello Paul,
I like this composition: the diagonal strata in the limestone cliffs homing in onto the high lighted Herring Gull pair on the clifftop in the FG.
No, it 's fine as it is.
TFS and have anice weekend,
Ivan

:) later!

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-10-13 3:29]

It's amazing where some birds dare to nest and rear thier chicks! A great shot of these two gulls.
+++ Excellent wide crop to show thier positioning and habitat. Sharp. Great DOF.
--- Nothing ;)
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 98 N: 1707] (5458)
  • [2007-10-13 5:42]

This is really super!
The shallow dof keeps our eyes on the subject while giving us the perfect Bg for the capture.
Wonderful posting
TFs
silke

hello paul,
nice shot with a great title, liked the pov and the composition, well seen and well captured,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-10-14 8:37]

Paul, Excellent composition and lovely shot. I like the way you have shot this entire scene and lovely view. Ganesh

Excelente Paul !! El buen ángulo de disparo utilizado permite ver la grandiosidad de los acantilados. Has destacado bien claramente el motivo principal con un "clavado" enfoque. Naturalidad en los colores y una excelente luz.

Saludos: J. Ignasi

Hi Paul,
Still no shot from your 170-500 lens? When can we expect one? The idea of the shallow DOF and the selective focus conbined with the long focus is great. It looses the depth feeling, but adds the feeling of isolation. Paul does have a good point on the sea. Do like the clarity and sharpness you managed to capture.
TFS,
Niek

Hi Paul
This is such an awesome shot for showing the environment these gulls are in with them giving perspective to the sheer depth of the cliffs.
Great composition using both gulls and cliffs to set off each element. Perfect sharpness and detail on the gulls and ledge with a wonderful DOF, shallow but not to much, on the cliffs. Superb exposure and lighting.

For me, I would crop off the left side, as you don't need the bright patch of blue sea to show depth to the cliffs, you have already captured that and the bright left side keeps grabbing at the eye. That is only my preference though.
It is an awesome image, well done

Kathleen

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