Common Merganser – a pose

[Somdeb Biswas]

Common Merganser – a pose
I experimented with the composition in this shot as the subject's eyes are not visible but the symmetry and the ambiance prompted me for this. High altitude lakes of this part of India provide a winter home for these beautiful ducks. But getting proper light is always a challenge while working in Himalayan ranges. This shot was taken in February 2017 in a very low light condition.

(Nikon D500, 500f4 G ED VR, 1.4TCIII) Shutter - 1/250, F – 9, ISO - 800;

I appreciate all critiques.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR VIEWING & INPUTS.

[John Mack]

The raised head makes this one work. Like the color in the water.

[William Dickson]

Even though we cannot see an eye, I think this sort of works. I would move the subject slightly more to the right (or left). It does have a green look about it, but, the whites, blacks and red bill look good on my screen. Even try a vertical?

Will

[Randy Stout]

Somdeb:

Always fun to try an make an unconventional shot work. The stretched neck, bill up pose from the rear is uncommon, and agree about your idea of symmetry. I would def. try a vertical as suggested by Will. I would crop tighter with either comp, if you have enough pixels to work well.

Cheers

Randy

[Somdeb Biswas]

Thanks a lot for your inputs. Though it's not a significant crop, the light was low. It is gaining too much noise if I crop more for a Vertical frame. That's why I kept it almost as I shot the subject.
Thanks a ton again.
with warm regards,
Somdeb

[Randy Stout]

Somdeb:

Was the original somewhat underexposed, and had to be brought back up in post? I shoot a D500 as well, and normally that ISO isn't much of a problem if exposed to the right to begin with.

Randy

[gail bisson]

I really like this.
Very unusual but love the symmetrical pose. The bird is not centered perfectly so I would reframe image to get the bill perfectly centered.I would also take a bit off the bottom to make it more of a 4 x 6 composition.
The water color is very nice but unusual. Why is it that color?
gail

[Somdeb Biswas]

Thanks a ton for your inputs. Yes, the original shot was a bit underexposed as the morning light was low. The green tone of the water is what I got. I shot this in White Balance set to Auto2. In Adobe Photoshop it showed 5300K, Tint +18. I manipulated it to 5500K & Tint 0 (zero) and pulled the curves down. I am using NIK for color cast removal. Is my PP technique wrong? Will wait for your inputs.
Thanks a lot again.
with warm regards,
Somdeb