This is something that can cause a lot of confusion when you’re out shooting. You see this great scenario where there are subjects everywhere and you have to figure out which one to focus on. You try and try and each time it just doesn’t quite work because there are too many other subjects getting in the way. Well the answer is simple find the one with the most character.
If the light is about the same each direction then look for the one with character. This Sandwich Tern was busy preening himself which was far more interesting then the other terns sleeping on the fence line. This small amount of character made him far more appealing then the others. Now the other thin to think about is placement. Notice I put the bird in the lower corner not dead center to keep the composition more interesting. Does this work every time? No, but you need to consider it.
Images captured with Nikon D5, 600 f/4, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film