Northern Shoveler/redo

Gallery: AvianPosted January 17, 20181,923 views8 comments

Male, eclipse plumage, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Gainesville, Florida

1/8/2018, 11:37:11 AM (cold, gray)
1/8/2018, 11:37:11 AM EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM +1.4x III @560mm
f/8, 1/1600, ISO 800
Aperture priority, Evaluative metering
86% of full frame, cloned out three tiny spots, sharpened duck only.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. If possible please view the larger version. Thank you.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2018 at 10:13 AM

Barbara:

The technical aspects of the image seem fine. It's sharp and well exposed. The problem is the light is so flat that the image just doesn't carry. This bird has beautiful plumage when the light shows it off. There are days when it just doesn't happen.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 17, 2018 at 11:57 AM

I agree with Keith's comments. I've taken a lot of shots of Northern Shoveler's and found (I've thrown most of them out) that it takes the right light to bring out the beauty in this bird.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 17, 2018 at 12:21 PM

Thanks, Keith and Allen. What do you think about this version?

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2018 at 12:41 PM

Barbara:

While the repost is an improvement, you can't fix bad light in post processing. I know it's hard to let go of an image sometimes, but photography is all about painting with light. If the light isn't there, the light isn't there.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 17, 2018 at 3:58 PM

Better, with more of the green iridescence on the head and warmer browns; but a bummer when light just won't cooperate. I'm sure you'll have more opportunities in the Florida sunshine.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 17, 2018 at 4:09 PM

Hi again, Keith and Allen. My husband and I actually will be moving to the Atlanta area in the next few months to be near my daughter and nearer to my son, so after that I'll need to come to Florida for that Florida sunshine. :) I don't know how long I'll be able to make that trip. It seems to get longer and longer to drive to Atlanta every time I go. I find myself having to stop and close my eyes every hour or so now. I feel the limitation on my photography days starting, and since it's something I found only a few years ago that makes me sad. For myself, I will probably keep taking pictures with or without the light, because it makes me happy, but I see why it doesn't make sense to post them here. I'm just thankful for what I've learned here.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 17, 2018 at 5:58 PM

Hi Barb,

The repost has improved the image very well. Now if we can get this guy to come into camera range after the breeding plumage has developed then the colors will be more than ideal. A drake in eclipse plumage will still have drab plumage even in ideal light. So keep shooting and good things will happen. .......................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 19, 2018 at 1:18 PM

A very nice shot of the shoveler, Barbara. I agree that the repost is an improvement. I too have many shots of this species that I've not posted.

I think there's plenty of sun in Atlanta sad

. Certainly more than Allen and I get!

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments