Pacific Black Duck - Portrait

[Mark Young]

I've never successfully done a portrait shot, they just aren't my forte. So I would love to get some feedback on this image and how I can improve on them for next time.
My initial thoughts are that it may be to much of a close up.

Canon 400, 300mm L, ISO200, F5.6, 1/1000, Av, Evaulative metering(iirc), Tripod.
PP: Cropped aprox 50%, nr on bg, usm, slight shadows/highlights adjust. 2nd catchlight removed from eye. Taken approx 1 hour before sunset.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/MTY400/Birds/Birds%20of%20Australia/Uploaded%20Images/PacficBlackDuck800IMG_9185.jpg

[Lance Peters]

Hi Mark - Lots to like here - Sharp, well exposed, lovely fine feather details and the water drops add a nice touch. The water drop on top of the head with the reflection in it is cool.
Works pretty well for me - maybe just feels a tad tight at the bottom - lets see what others say.
:)

[Dave Mills]

Hi Mark, Agree about beautiful light,sharp and I love the droplet on top of the head. I feel you need more room on the right and bottom..

[Bill Dix]

Looks like a successful portrait in my book. Lovely detail, bg, and super drop on head. Nicely done.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Well exposed would add more canvas right and bottom too. Wonder if a linear burn would bring out any more feather detail in the light colours. Great detail in the eye. Did you use flash?

[Alfred Forns]

Love this image in a big way !!! About all I would change is the aperture When you are on a tripod and have no problem with the bg stop down for dof !!! Sweet image !!!

[arash_hazeghi]

Very nice and sharp, everything looks good here. TFS

[Harold Davis]

agree with jackie. i would add some canvas bottom and right. other than that, great image!!! i love the detail all around and the complimentary bg.

[Mark Young]

Thanks everyone for the great input. There's a lot here I can use for my next attempt at a portrait.