Harlequin amongst the rapids

I was talking at the SNPF this weekend which is a great event which is organised by Scottish National Heritage. It was a full house and there was a couple of Guys from the forum that were there and it was nice meeting you, always good to put a face to a name. I have been reworking some images from a trip to Iceland in May and just wanted to share this one with you and see what you think. It was a very difficult shot to pull off as the Harlequin had to be bolt still.

Canon 1D MK4, 500mm Lens, 1.4x Convertor, F22, 1/4, ISO 100

Danny

I think it works perfectly and showing the movement of the water puts this up another level from a version with the water 'frozen', which I'm sure you got as well.
I like the composition with the duck on the lower third too.

Lovely Danny, That adds a new dimension to the image.

Cheers

Austin

Hi Danny
Great image
I am looking forward to your masterclass on Harlequin photography in June 2011

Cheers Nigel
www.nigelspencer.co.uk

Lovely shot Danny!
I like the way the water flows and a few droplets just jump off in front of the bird.
Perhaps you could try to lighten up the area around the birds eye just a bit to see it better but other then that this is splendid.

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Yes, one of very many cracking images you showed yesterday - looked incredible spread out over those three walls. Many thanks for a fantastic presentation!

Great and well composed image. I agree with Jeroen's suggestion to lighten up the area around the eye a bit.

Cracker! saw this on your blog just after you got back and loved it then. Bet it looks great in print.

Cheers.

Chris.

A fine shot Danny

Nit re the eye already been done

Nice shot Danny of something different, I know how hard this kind of shot can be.

Dale

As per Jeroen's suggestion, perhaps try lightening around the eye area a bit but other than that, super duper!

Des

The water movement with the duck standing still takes this shot to a much higher level.
Great thinking Danny

Geoff.

It's not just the duck that had to be bolt still,with 700mm of lens at 1/4 sec!
Excellent,as was your show yesterday and very nice to meet you Danny.

P.S. What are you doing here when you're supposed to be out in that jungle,that your wife lovingly remembers as a garden?

Phil.

Very difficult birds to expose for, I was shooting them here last Jan and will be doing them again this coming Jan-no moving water here though, Nice arty image and well thought out

Dave

This is a perfect shot with a difficult exposure. I think the small size shown here doesn't do the shot justice for example the dancing water on the middle right - just those little sprays are 'icing on the cake' as are the water droplets on the breast of the duck...guessing it might make a nice double spread in a magazine somewhere?

Ian

A lot to like in this one Danny. If the water blur and the detail aren't enough, there are always the colours which really make it special for me.
eric

A thumbs-up from me Dan

Stonkin...

Stonkin...

Two 'stonkins' from Mark - I'd have only given it one myself

I'm affraid I've got to go against the flow (no pun intended) a little cos, as it stands, it is a good image but not the usual 'great' shot we've come to expect from you. Don't get me wrong, I can see why others like it but for me there is a bit of 'spark' missing.

Having looked at it several times I think it is the water that doesn't quite deliver - slower shutter/more blur and then you have a dynamic to compensate for the 'static' duck. Yes, I know it is a tall order to do 'in camera' but it has to be worth a go, doesn't it?

Cheers,
Chris

This is superb, the fact you managed to freeze the subject here and achieve this milky looking water is a real achievment.
Lee