Coming Out

[Brian Sump]

194729

A Goldeneye Drake on the river in Colorado. If you've never heard the sound of one of these guys in flight, it is distinct and memorable to say the least.

I had to add some canvas but this guy was very close I wanted to take a swing at processing him at close proximity.

Canon R5
600mm
Handheld
ISO 1250
1/6400
f7.1


LR and PS. Added some canvas and evicted a couple darker waves at bottom. * I did edit a couple things after originally posted, before any replies *

[Dorian Anderson]

Fabulous exposure and details. Perfect wing position and very engaging. Only thing might be to extract a bit more detail on the back part of the head, but that's so minor as to be insignificant in the grand scheme. Bravo.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot, perhaps a tad cold in terms of colour and |I feel the darker tones require attention... possibly contrast is a little too high??

[Chris van Rooyen]

Incredible looking species captured incredibly well - pin sharp, great wing position, stunning light, great body position. The blacks perhaps slightly dense but a very minor comment

[Brian Sump]

Thank you gents. Appreciate the feedback.

Jon, I presume the black on the head is what gives you the ill feels about the darks/contrast? If so, it does for me as well. I did not process those blacks any different from the rest, in fact I brushed away contrast on the head and, specifically, toward the transition to green. I believe the effect of the iridescent greens butting up against the shadows in the head give such an effect. Not sure how else I could address that without the blacks there becoming too artificial but I feel the sentiment but I'll take a swing.

[William Dickson]

Very nice Brian.....Great colours and detail on the duck.....Super flight pose....Maybe try adding a wee bit contrast to the BG...Saying that, the bird does stand out against the BG as is....As you said the sound of these ducks in flight is unforgettable.....My apartment looks over the old harbour, and I counted 130 yesterday evening settling in for the night...they come here every winter from Scandinavia ..My main problem is getting close...but sometimes you get 2 or 3 changing direction from the usual flight path...They are very aware and take flight easily as you will know....

Well done


Will

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Brian a super cool flight shot , all works for me here in terms of pose , comp and pleasing BG .
The tones looking good from HL to 3/4 tones ... but the blacks are simply too dense for my liking .Specially in lighting like this i would expect to see some detail in the blacks . But not possible when the histogram is climbing up the LHS .... :w3
I think the image would benefit from a more gentle approach ... might be just me.

Anyhow would like to say this is my image :cheers:

TFS Andreas

[Kurt Bowman]

Great frame Brian! Love the color in the head and understand why you processed the blacks the way you did. I agree anymore would look awkward. he bird is very sharp and wing [position is prime. Nicely done!