Difficult to give any kind of critique on these without knowing what equipment you were using, but here goes anyway:
Shot 1: Great composition, and really striking contrast between the background and the subject. For me the areas I think could be improved are 1) faster shutter speed – there’s a little movement in the end of the wing, and 2) personally I’d prefer sone kind of foreground interest, or perspective. It’s impossible to tell anything baout the habitat of the bird, or how big it is for that matter. Great for a stock shot, if that’s what’s intended, however!
Shot 2: You’ve undoubtebly done a good job getting that close to the bird, but for me the composition and lighting lets could be improved. Perhaps capturing the bird in some kind of intersting surrounding, or feeding for example would make for a more captivating shot?
Not saying that what I’ve written is right or wrong, just giving you my ideas – I’ve tried to be constructive, so hope it helps!
all comments duly noted, I like to take gull shots when they’re backlit by the sun…to bring out feather detail.
The second shot was taken outside my gate….unfortunately all the bread was eaten at this time :wink: