Canvas Back working on a better angle

[Randy Stout]

This fine fellow with imaged this AM at the local bird sanctuary. He was quite friendly and came in pretty close. I had posted another canvas back from a couple of years ago, with his body angling away a bit, so here is the more traditional angle :S3:

D4 600VR f/5.6 1/3200s ISO 640 Gitzo/Wimberley I was set up for BIF, hence the settings

Post: 10% crop from top. Selective sharpening

This is as low as I could get at this location.

Advice and comments always appreciated

Cheers

Randy


<iframe width="468" height="60" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://mer54715.datafeedfile.com/widget/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=10536&aff_net=1&widget_num=1704"><p>Sorry your browser does not support iFrame</p></iframe>

[David Salem]

Very nice Randy. My favorite diver. Perfect angle and head position. The exposure and detail look good and love the red eye and the beads of water on the back. The water color is nice too. Well done.

[Nick Palmieri]

I like the pose and think you cropped perfectly. Reflection works well. I think the blue water, white body, and red eye just compliment each other and really strengthen this image. TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, I remember stating in your previous image that I was fine with the angle, and HA. In this, the angled body and HA work just as well. That red eye is very striking, and the light, exposure and sharpness all look good. Well captured.

[Don Nelson]

Great pose even and good even if not at lower level angle of view.
If it were mine, a little selective masking and lightening of the bill would make the details a bit more visible.
Consider masking, and a selective color adjustment with slight black removal from the blacks, followed by use of opacity on blending mode to set the amount to your taste.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Randy, fine portrait. Loved the eye. terrific water color and whites. We all wish we could go very low but not always possible...you've got to go the best with the cards dealt.

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

Nice shot Randy. Good framing, great light and like the water drops on the back.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Neat duck, one I've never had the pleasure of photographing. Although a lower angle was not possible it still works because of the reflections this spot is giving you. I'm finding the brighter parts of the flanks a tad bright, but I like verything else.

[PhilCook]

Water color is wonderful Randy, the angle of duck and sharpness all come together nicely....liking the droplet on the back too, splendid shot

[Karl Egressy]

I like this image very much, Randy. It's being one of my favorite duck species, I have been trying to get a good shot of them for many years.
So far I found only one cooperative individual out from the water one day.
Nice shooting angle, great colours perfect exposure and nice feather detail.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone, appreciate your input. I did lighten the bill ever so slightly. They are pretty inky black when wet, so didn't want to overdo it.

Cheers

Randy

[John Cooper]

A very pleasing composition Randy - excellent detail in the whites, good pose, and the warm red/brown's of the Diver portray so well against the soft blue tones of the water.

[Satish Ranadive]

Randy Sir:
Every thing has been said about this beautiful bird it's elegant image.Very very sweet.Love it.

Regards,
Satish.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the body angle, water colour, sharpness, red eye and water beads on the back. Very well done Randy!

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely capture of this duck. May I assume that you could not get any lower to photograph this? Love the blue water and water droplets. Seeing some residue of maybe cloning on top of the bill and horizon needs an ever-so-slight adjustment.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks again folks.

Marina: As mentioned in the OP,this is as low as I can get at this location, unfort! No cloning on the bill, this is as shot, looked at raw, its a patch of water on the far edge of the bill. As far as alignment, I don't always trust reflections when there is some distortion from wave action.

Cheers

Randy