Long-tailed Duck.

[Karl Egressy]

Every time I shoot these Ducks I realize how super fast they are.
I also realize that the 500 is getting heavier every year. :S3:
Next time I will try to use the 400 f5.6 L.
This guy flew by very close.
Thanks for looking.

Canon 1D MIV
Canon 500 f4.0 L IS II.
ISO 500
1/3200 s
f5.6

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Karl, yep, ducks do fly super fast and for obviously good reason :bg3:.

The sea backdrop creates a lovely setting to the shot and with the 500 it's diffused the sea to really help separate the subject. At 1/3200 I think you could have dropped the ISO to 400, but no deal breaker. I would look to seeing if you can selectively get a bit more 'tone' from within the whites, however the subject does need a lot more sharpening to pull out the detail you have captured. If you have the data then I would personally drop the whole crop down so you have more below than above.

Hope the RP illustrates my points.

TFS
Steve

[Karl Egressy]

Thanks Steve. I can see that more sharpening was needed. I have some more room at the bottom, will look into it thanks.

[MohsenVahedipour]

Excellent shooting angle with lovely pose & BG. Very nice repost.

[Dave Johnson]

What a difference the additional sharpening makes! Great shot Karl.

[Bill Dix]

Yes, they are fast fliers. He was almost past you, but you got him in the nick of time. The added sharpening helps. Like the bg. For me, a little more room all around wouldn't hurt.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Hey Karl,

Very nice capture. I'm not sure that it needs sharpening as much as the focus was a bit off from the head. Looks like you got the near wing in this shot. While sharpening helped, I think going back and trying again would yield better results. That's what it's all about, right?!

Miguel

[dankearl]

I would just like to get a shot of one?
yeah, a bit by you, but still nice. Maybe too close?

[Holger Leyrer]

To capture the fast duck is not easy. Ok, a little bit more room around the duck.
But, in my eyes, excellent work.

[vishaljadhav]

Nice image of a fast guy, the blue in bg makes it stand out, the sharpening in post by Steve looks more perfect.
very nicely done

[gail bisson]

I have tried many times to get a shot of a long tail flying by and have failed so far.
The extra sharpening and taming of the whites by Steve have really made this image sing.
Love the eye level view and the nearness of the duck.
well done Karl,
gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

Man, that near wing looks great! Check out the overlapping first and second primaries too. Great dorsal view. Perhaps a bit tight in the frame, and I like what Steve has done.

[David Salem]

I would love to see one of these beauties. Great job catching this one even though it looks like the critical focus point is on the near wing. The sharpening helps allot and has made it a keeper. Keep after this great looking species and you will be rewarded.