Mallard landing
by Roger Kirchen
Mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos) photographed a couple of weeks ago at the pond.
I have 8 captures as the duck approaches somewhat unexpectedly. I do prefer the capture immediately before this one, where the feet just touch the surface of the water without leaving a wake. Unfortunately, the primaries of the left wing obscure most of the wing itself.
I also think it is a bit sharper than this one. I have worked on sharpening this one while managing noise, and I wonder if I may have overdone the PP.
Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 289 mm, f/5.6, ISO 800, 1/500 sec, monopod, natural light, LR5, PS-CC and NIK suite. Cropped to 54 % or original RAW.
All comments are much appreciated. Thanks for looking and thanks for all your comments on my other photos.
Comments
5 commentsI would only cut a little from the top.
In my experience there is no way to correct missed focus in post processing - the image is either sharp at capture or it is not sharp. All digital images need some amount of sharpening, of course, but if after applying the amount you normally use and the image doesn't look right it is time to walk away from the image.
For me, this looks very over processed - no real feather detail; smeared look from noise reduction. A shame because I like the Mallard's position and outstretched wings and the touchdown on the water.