Wood Duck 1

Gallery: AvianPosted November 11, 2010370 views14 comments

Hi Folks,

I'd like to get your feedback on this shot. Taken in October near Cleveland, OH. Generally pleased with it, but I am one for detail and I'm a little bothered by not getting more detail in the fine feathers. Also, I did sucumb to a desire for more perfect water and cloned out some bright spots (mostly white blobs probably floating feathers) out of the water. Other than that, some global white balance & exposure correction, selective sharpening, minor dodge&burn, & cropped to about 72% of full frame. This was my first time photographing wood ducks close up and it really took some time to figure out the exposure in varying light, so I wound up doing more exposure correction with these files than I usually need to.

Nikon D2X, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 + 1.4 TC-20EII, 1/125 @ f5, ISO 200, SB-800 Speedlight @ -2 2/3 ev.

Your comments and critiques are most welcome.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 11, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Personally, I'd be very, very happy with this splendid image.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 11, 2010 at 7:47 PM

The detail in the side plumage (the tannish color) and the droplets on the back look great to me, even at the larger size. I love the color of the water too, so this is a winner in my book.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 11, 2010 at 8:28 PM

what a beauty, Julia. great looking bird and great color in the water. I might tone down the bright part of the bill a little. a little more detail would be nice, but it looks very good as is.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 11, 2010 at 10:02 PM

Great detail and light Julia. My one wish would be for it to be at a slightly lower angle but i know that's not always possible

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 11, 2010 at 10:21 PM

The nits you mention probably exist, but they also probably would not be noticed by many people looking at it. This is a very nice photograph.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on November 11, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Wonderful colors Julie! I tend to like lower angles of view as well, but know that sometimes they're hard to come by.The water and reflections are great.

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 11, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Intense colors and the exposure is fantastic. Congrats

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 12, 2010 at 7:26 AM

Beautiful colors & great reflections!
I too wish for lower POV.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 12, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Excellent all around Julia. I agree with some others that a lower angle would have been even better, but this is really nice.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 12, 2010 at 11:29 AM

Wonderful display of colors and I like the good reflection, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on November 12, 2010 at 11:58 AM

This is an excellent capture and wonderful representation of a woody, Julia... you should be very pleased with this image.... have it blown up, matted, framed and hanging on a wall for you and others to enjoy!
I love the detail you did get and the colors plus water are all a plus, congrats!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on November 12, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Thanks everyone for your encouraging and helpful comments. I too desired a lower angle- but as you may have guessed it was not possible at this spot since I was on a boardwalk. But I did shoot some nearby along the shore and got lower. I'll post that woodie soon.