Submitter's name:	Wendy Owens
Title:	Birds on #5
Gear used:	Olympus C2100UZ digital camera
Diaphragm:	F4.0
Shutter speed:	1/500
Focal length:	99mm (10X zoom lens)
Film:	Digital
Technical information:	I used the program setting and zoomed in to frame the boat. I used no digital enhancement on the original picture, although I did crop in close, getting rid of a pesky bird that was flying off the boat. This is my first digital camera, and I am surprised how much I like it.
Subject information:	This was taken on the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. The seas were unusually calm and I loved the glassy refection on the water. The seagulls were an added bit of interest. I tried converting this picture to a black and white - it was appealing, but I missed the little swatch of yellow in the boat.
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Comment left by: Olaf Greve (no e-mail specified)

This is great! Nice serene shot, and the reflection of the boat, and the presence of the seagulls are most excellently used in the composition. I agree about the yellow part, in B/W this would still look great, but in colour it gives just that additional bit of punch.

Comment left by: Mickey Trageser (no e-mail specified)

I like it as a color shot too. A couple of the beaks show their color which is in line with the boat lining. The water has a dreamy quality about it. The owner will need lots of it to clean out the boat when the birds leave.... ;-)

Comment left by: Eric Pederson (epederso@darkwing.uoregon.edu)

Very nice composition. I like the color too. I might desaturate the orange of the boat's interior so that it doesn't dominate the subtle coloring on the birds and the tie ring at the front of the boat.

Comment left by: the photographer (no e-mail specified)

Eric, I tried the desat on the boat orange and you're right, I think it looks better. (Never occurred to me to do that). I hadn't even noticed the tie ring color until you mentioned it...well, maybe on a subconscious level. Thanks for the suggestion.

Comment left by: bbbean (bbbean@beancotton.com)

I like this a lot. Great detail, great color, good DOF. I would have liked to see a little more room at the top, but I can see how an out-of focus bird might force you to make tough choices. I think this shot has commercial potential.

Comment left by: :Doro (no e-mail specified)

This one transports a sense of humour apart from the lovely composition. I like it a lot!

Comment left by: Roy Talbot (rtalbot@laborready.com)

Wendy, I’m with you on leaving out the bird above the photo. The action would distract from the otherwise calm presence that is set in this photo. The water has a wonderful smooth fairy tale sense about. This defiantly is poster material. Please don't stop here.. Lets see more of your pictures in other TOPE's.

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