Every picture tells a story, or a few images can direct the story. As a photographer, I can adjust the color and lighting but it is not like a painting where I can just put things where I want without the use of photoshop. I'm not a big believer in photoshop. I like to take photos that are real or actual. I also like to challenge myself with lighting and composition. This morning's walk along the beach was no different than most. I'm always looking for that money shot or what makes an image extroadrinary. I was greeted by an ibis fishing for breakfast. I thought my image would be far more attractive if the white ibis was surrounded by white sea foam. It's always a photographer's challenge to capture white on white and I accepted that challenge! After a couple of those shots, my mind begins to switch gears. I'm thinking, wouldn't it be cool to capture the ibis as a silhouette in the sunrise. So rather than waiting on the ibis to walk a little, I move to center the ibis in the sunlight. Now I have my subject right where I want. Only it keeps moving. Sometimes I can see it clearly and other moments I can't because the ocean and foam are different with each incoming wave. As I try to keep up with the ibis, a seagull photo bombs the bottom of my view finder. Ok, that's cool, I like the seagull's shadow in the sand. But could you fly a little higher next time? The sun is changing and getting brighter with each second. Like a clock ticking. In a couple minutes the sun will be too bright for anything. I don't have much time. No pressure, haha! So I wait for another seagull. Usually there's lots. But this morning, not so much! Go figure. Where's a seagull when you need one? Finally, I spot one coming up the beach. Each second feels like forever. I waited patiently, panning up the beach side, but it flies too high. Mean while the ibis is still fishing back and forth. I am amazed it is still with me. With one eye I am trying to keep view of the ibis in line with the sun and the other eye anticipating another seagull in sight. And you're probably reading all this thinking, man, this is for the birds! An elderly woman slowly walks by and I have to pause. Breathe. Yes, it's the beach. We are just out of a 2 month quarantine and I am not the only one out viewing God's masterpiece of the morning! I can still see the beautiful sun rays pouring through the clouds. Like angels upon us. The ibis is in my view finder. But the sun is getter more brighter and I have a white blob on the top of my image. I can't zoom in or I would loose the ibis in the foreground. The whole idea is to have both birds in the shot to be unique. If I could just get a seagull to fly straight through where the glare spot is, I would be golden! My opportunity arrives coming from the north. A large seagull is in view. Perfect! The seagull is like a stealth, slowly it begins to hover. Much to my surprise, it hovers right in front of the sun where I needed! Amazing! CLICK! So in my next shot in a matter of seconds, my timing is right! I lower my camera with a huge smile of accomplishment on my face. I know this moment will never happen again! Oh the excitement of a photographer's life! All in a days work! Happy shooting!
