Lesser Scaup [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

gail bisson

02-26-2012, 10:31 AM

The "Oreo Cookie" duck - Black on both ends and white in the middle!
Canon 1D MK IV
f 4.0 500mm and 1.4X TC III
F 8.0
SS 1/1600
ISO 400

I like the rainbow water colors. I shot this at Glace Bay Harbour last week. The red in the water is the reflection from an old warehouse that is painted red. There is no way to get in the water due to deep channel and -12C temp so I am on my tummy on the dock.
PP in LR3 and NR, S & H and sharpening in CS5.I didn't touch color adjustments at all.
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

Grace Scalzo

02-26-2012, 11:04 AM

Wonderful exposure, nice and sharp and a real pleasing image enhanced by the colors. No problem from me with your shooting angle. You worked with what you had and came away with a beauty.

Stu Bowie

02-26-2012, 12:05 PM

Hi Gail, you have nailed the exposure on the Scaup, good DOF, good HA, and this is really sharp. The colours of the water are simply stunning. An opportunity well used. :w3

Marina Scarr

02-26-2012, 12:33 PM

What I like most about this image is that you have sharpened it so well that it looks as though I could reach out and touch it. I also like the angle and the water colors. I would probably lose the highlight in the nostril if it were mine and the one near its tail since they are the only ones. I am glad there are no sweets in my house b/c your here mention of an oreo threw me into a sugar frenzy.

Frank Schauf

02-26-2012, 12:58 PM

Perfect comp, Gail. Beautiful sharpness and colors in the water.

Vivaldo Damilano

02-26-2012, 01:31 PM

Perfect light, smooth plain BG and head angle. Lovely low angle adds nicely and love the detail, excellent Gail.

Bill Dix

02-26-2012, 01:57 PM

A beauty, Gail. Great exposure on whites and blacks, and spectacular colors.

Holger Leyrer

02-26-2012, 01:58 PM

Hi Gail,

good light , detail and beautiful colors!

dankearl

02-26-2012, 03:25 PM

Beautiful Gail, very well done.

arash_hazeghi

02-26-2012, 03:30 PM

nice low angle and soft light

Sidharth Kodikal

02-26-2012, 04:31 PM

Nice exposure, head turn and colors. Very nicely done, Gail.

Doug Brown

02-26-2012, 07:02 PM

It's always fun to get ducks passing through reflections with interesting colors! I like the pose too. The bird itself could use a little work IMO, and I would tone down the red somewhat. Here's a repost with the following changes:
1. A slight exposure boost
2. Some additional sharpening of the bird
3. Lightening/saturation boost to the iris and darkening of the pupil
4. A selective color adjustment on the reds to pull them down a little
I'll be interested to see what you think of the changes; they may not be for everyone, since people seem to really like the image as presented.

109316

Yves Guillot

02-26-2012, 07:38 PM

I like the water colors and the low point of view. I might consider cropping some space above the head though together with a bit of CW rotation. But anyway, a pleasing image to stare at. congrats!

Karl Egressy

02-26-2012, 08:03 PM

Nice head turn colours and reflection, Gail.

gail bisson

02-26-2012, 08:06 PM

Thanks for all the positive comments. Doug,I like what you did, especially the eye. I was very gentle with the original sharpening as I was afraid it would make the whites too crispy but I see they look fine. I, personally like the red as in the OP but certainly agree that it is a matter of taste.I am grateful for your rework and will incorporate your suggestions in my final version. I also did a CW of 1 degree,
Gail

Ofer Levy

02-27-2012, 07:42 AM

The duck looks great! Not sure about this un-natural red though.

stuart wanuck

02-27-2012, 04:17 PM

knockout bg like the repost