Posted by Chris O'Reilly on November 24, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Hi All
Coming from a hunting family, my childhood was punctuated by shot wild birds of one sort or another appearing in the pantry awaiting preparation for the pot.
Up close, the plumage of most species was very beautiful, but the female mallard made a lasting impression - I found the minute detail particularly stunning - so much so, I rarely pass up an opportunity to photograph this species when there's something beyond the ordinary to be had.
On this occasion, I 'shot' this bird instead of the deer at Bradgate in October.
Nothing at all wrong with Mallards, I like the action here and would obviously have prefered a bit of head turn towards you, but that is not under your control, I am not fond of the brightness of the water in the forground, again I realise not under your direct control as I'm sure that when she was in the nicely coloured area of water she didn't perform.... Still a good image for your files
Posted by Nigel Blake on November 25, 2009 at 3:40 AM
I can only echo Phil's comments above regarding the bright foreground and head-turn, otherwise it ticks the right boxes, the wing blur and the few flying droplets add some nice movement too!
Hello Chris,
I totally agree with your comments regarding the attractiveness of these birds and echo your comments about them being worthwhile subjects. That said however, this shot doesn't do a lot for me. The white water (a weir?) really detracts from the overall effect. I like the movement in the wings but would prefer to have seen more of the flying droplets against the background (perhaps more to be seen if viewed larger?). Also I'm not over fond of the body / head position though I do accept that at least it shows those lovely wing patches.
Robert
Posted by Brett Lewis on November 25, 2009 at 7:06 AM
Nits covered Chris but it still works for me.. Great detail and a like the movement in the wings. I would add a little CW rotation but captured at the right moment.
Brett
Posted by Chris O'Reilly on November 25, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Thanks for the feedback - most welcome.
I guess this is one of those situations where you take what is on offer. Despite the nits the shot it still works (for me); the wing bars are key (and the reason I kept the image). If she was facing a different direction the wing detail would be lost.
Cheers,
Chris
Posted by keith mitchell on November 25, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Hi Chris.
I like the way you have captured what this Duck is doing,nice shot. Keith.
Posted by David Sewell on November 25, 2009 at 11:48 AM
The bird stands out nicely from the background, and I really like the wing movement. I agree with Robert about the white water in the foreground, but there was nothing you could do about that. As the duck is standing very upright, a portrait crop might be nice, assuming there is sufficient canvas to do so.
David
Posted by Guy Rogers on November 25, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Hello Chris.
I couldn't agree more about the female Mallard and when she shows those lovely purple bars on the wings it just changes this birds appearance alltogether. But the one shot I would love to get is the Male Mallard in flight with the wings in full display.
Posted by Craig Jones on November 25, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Lovely image and the bird's head is bang sharp which makes the image IMO,love the composition too,very nice Chris
Posted by Ian Mason on November 26, 2009 at 2:45 PM
If I hold my hand over the white foreground, the rest looks absolutely gorgeous. I agree that in this case the bird looking away works well.
Posted by Mark Hamblin on November 27, 2009 at 4:17 AM
A good combo of movement and static but need so keen on white water and a slight turn of the head required towards the camera.
Discussion
11 repliesComing from a hunting family, my childhood was punctuated by shot wild birds of one sort or another appearing in the pantry awaiting preparation for the pot.
Up close, the plumage of most species was very beautiful, but the female mallard made a lasting impression - I found the minute detail particularly stunning - so much so, I rarely pass up an opportunity to photograph this species when there's something beyond the ordinary to be had.
On this occasion, I 'shot' this bird instead of the deer at Bradgate in October.
C&C? Oh, alright then. Cheers,
Chris
1Ds3, 500 + 1.4x, 1/320 @ f5.6, ISO 400, tripod
I totally agree with your comments regarding the attractiveness of these birds and echo your comments about them being worthwhile subjects. That said however, this shot doesn't do a lot for me. The white water (a weir?) really detracts from the overall effect. I like the movement in the wings but would prefer to have seen more of the flying droplets against the background (perhaps more to be seen if viewed larger?). Also I'm not over fond of the body / head position though I do accept that at least it shows those lovely wing patches.
Robert
Brett
I guess this is one of those situations where you take what is on offer. Despite the nits the shot it still works (for me); the wing bars are key (and the reason I kept the image). If she was facing a different direction the wing detail would be lost.
Cheers,
Chris
I like the way you have captured what this Duck is doing,nice shot.
David
I couldn't agree more about the female Mallard and when she shows those lovely purple bars on the wings it just changes this birds appearance alltogether. But the one shot I would love to get is the Male Mallard in flight with the wings in full display.