Wood duck (hen)

[Mike Lentz]

The Hen Wood duck is often over looked due to the fact that the male is so striking! This gal came by at the right time as the late day sun was sneaking through a thin layer of clouds.

http://www.pbase.com/mike_lentz/image/112052884.jpg

Nikon D300 ~ Nikkor 300mm F/2.8 ~ 2x Nikon TC
ISO 800 ~ F/6.3 ~ 1/640 sec ~ - 1/3 EV ~

[Doug Brown]

Gorgeous water and soft light really make this image Mike. I'd move the bird to a lower position in the frame. And I might sharpen just a bit more.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great light, angle and eye contact. I might crop a bit off the bottom and agree that the plumage of female wood ducks looks great, too.

[Randy Stout]

Mike:

Lovely picture. Make it three votes for cropping off the bottom. The color is nice, but I don't think you need as much below as you have, maybe 1/3 off bottom of frame.

Very nice!

Randy

[Mike Lentz]

I agree guys and thought about it when PP'ing the image. I always use the 3:2 ration and on some images it makes it tighter in the frame than I like. (but better for Roman) :)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Mike,
Another vote for the crop, but love the soft colours and sweet light!
Best,
Nicki

[Chris Kotze]

Lovely angle and sweet light and colours. Ditto less space at the bottom

[Stu Bowie]

The light, colours and detail are simply amazing. Your low angle works so well, as if you were in the water. Another vote for moving her down a bit.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Light is great, pose, detail, comp, colors and BG are all stunning! Congratulations!

[Mark Dumbleton]

Stunning colours and love the silky smooth feeling to this. Great low angle with super head angle with catchlight in the eye. Just watch out for the halo on top of the birds head and back. I would crop a tad off the bottom.

[Fabs Forns]

I like the crop as presented, by the rule of thirds. IMO it's not necessary to place the subject at the top third.
I like lots of negative space, so my blessings :)

[Thomas Boysen]

I agree with the positioning a bit lower. But ny main concern is which coiffeur this lady uses. Our lady wood ducks up here have a nice grey crest. This one looks like it all got greesed down.
But beatiful mood, love it.
Thomas

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the crop as presented, by the rule of thirds. IMO it's not necessary to place the subject at the top third.
I like lots of negative space, so my blessings :)

I'm with Fabs on this one...I like it as presented :-) Two thumbs up on this gorgeous image. Great light too!

[Kobus Tollig]

Great comp angle and light. Well exposed with good detail. Well done

[Mike Lentz]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate the comments. I am on the fence on the crop, I was to begin with and still am.