Bufflehead #2

[Robert Holguin]

Hello everyone. Here is another pic from my time spent with these little ducks. I removed part of another buffle on the to left.
C&C welcomed and encouraged.
Nikon 300s l Nikon 200-400 w/1.4 tc l ISO 320 l 560mm l 1/500 l F8 l Multi Segment l Manual l On beanbag.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Excellent image, Robert. I love the eye contact, the clean water and the sharpness. Having had zero luck getting close to a bufflehead, I admire your fieldcraft.
The light is great too.
I pulled this into PS and reduced the highlights just a bit on the entire image and then selectively on the white patch (there's more detail there) and it looked even better to my tired eyes.

[Ron Sprunger]

I agree with Sidharth that the white is a little hot, but it's a terrific image, with a very gentle feel to it. I love the soft light and ethereal background.

[Robert Holguin]

Thank you both for the comments and advice.
I went back and lowered the highlights on the entire image and selected the white patch and adjusted does highlights.

[Ron Sprunger]

Very nice. It doesn't hurt to have subdued the BG that little bit either.

[Brendan Dozier]

Beautiful bird & capture, Robert. Repost looks good, excellent job getting more detail from the patch area. I like how the reddish brown in water harmonizes with brown on the bird.

[Grace Scalzo]

Repost is lovely. Sharp, well exposed, complimentary background. I might clean up the smudge in the reflection to the left of her eye. I also like the eye contact.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Great job with the repost Robert. Your change is subtle yet effective.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Robert, super low angle, with a good swimming pose and HA. The light looks nice and soft, and I do like the detail, colours and sharpness on the Bufflehead. The colours of the water compliment the Bufflehead perfectly. Your repost takes this up a notch, especially on the whites on the side of his head.

[Yves Guillot]

Very nice shot! I would preferably have made a mask and lower the curves in the white patch instead than lowering the overall. But still, the repost is good also.

[Carmelo Cannova]

Great capture Robert. The water texture is awesome. Great low POV and details on the head.

Carmelo

[Karl Egressy]

Just as beautiful as the first one, Robert.

[Robert Holguin]

Thank you all very much for all the comments. Very much appreciated.