Mandarin Duck

[William Dickson]

Canon 1DX
f/4 500mm
f/6.3
1/500
ISO 3200

This is one from my recent visit to Loch Lomond. Unfortunately the light was poor all weekend. This is the first RAW file I have opened and processed with DPP4, your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Will

[Amanda Robinson]

Great colours and textures. Looks great to me! What lens is it?

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hi Will I like the exposure colours and details. I would prefer a slightly looser crop (I assume it was cropped?)
Not really a criticism but given the detail you have in the plumage I would have expected a little more detail in the eye and lores - perhaps a little eye doctoring?
I nearly went to photograph mandarins this afternoon, but yes you guessed it went dull and looked like rain!

[Alex Becker]

Great details and colors and DOF. I agree with Jonathon that I think some more detail could be brought out around the eye, but I've never seen one in person so not really sure. Very nice shot -- thanks for sharing!

[David Salem]

Nice pose and great colors William. Looks sharp enough to me, I just think the lack of sun has made the eye a bit less colorful and prominent. Well done

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree a looser crop would be best, but boy the colours are mesmerizing! I'd be tempted to remove the two white lines touching the duck at left. As for the processing: looks good to me!

[William Dickson]

Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated. I agree, a looser crop would be better. I probably cropped it tight, to show off the detail. I just left the the eye as is, but I do agree with your comments. I must return on a brighter day :S3:

Hi Amanda, thanks for that. I use a Canon f/4 500mm Mk1 lens.

Will

[stuart wanuck]

colors are great lovely image

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Lovely colours and low angle. Agree, crop could go looser.
Well done Will.