October project: Backlit ducklings/goslings

[Geoff Warnock]

This photo was taken earlier this year on one of my first wanders having got a lens with 400mm reach. By sitting down on the side of the canal I was able to get a reasonably low viewpoint and maximise the back lighting. The mother originally just clipped the left of the frame.

Nikon D40 with Sigma 120-400
1/1600, f5.6, iso 800 @ 400mm, handheld

Please let me know what you think.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4959731375_c7dba341b5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53654547@N02/4959731375/)
sun backlit ducklings (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53654547@N02/4959731375/) by Geoff Warnock (http://www.flickr.com/people/53654547@N02/), on Flickr

[Arthur Morris]

A good concept but with the dirty water you were up against it from the start. The ducklings could use a bit of sharpening.

[Marina Scarr]

You did well getting down low and you have terrific little subjects here. Agree that the "dirt" in the water really takes away from the image b/c it is so noticable against the black.

[Geoff Warnock]

Thank you both for your comments, I'll see how far I can get away with cleaning up the water, and try some more sharpening on the ducklings.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, a bit of water clean-up would be good, and the image appears that it may need a bit of CW rotation. Nicely visualized!

[Geoff Warnock]

I posted a 'cleaned up' version in the OOTB forum:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?73152

Please take a look.