Judges Comments

This is a challenging time of day to shoot, as the midday sun creates harsh shadows, strong highlights, and heavy contrast throughout the image.
The strong contrast between the pelican and the sky, combined with the fast shutter speed, makes the bird appear almost cut out rather than naturally in motion.
The body boarder adds some interest, but the connection between the two subjects is not strong enough to create a clear or compelling story.
Using ND filters for slower shutter speeds could improve the sense of movement. A monochrome treatment could also change the mood and reduce the distraction of colour.