Wood Duck Portrait and Reflection.

Sometimes having too much lens for a full body image has me switching strategies...namely going for portraits. Even horizontals had the subject too tight in the frame, so going for in-camera verticals did the trick. I suppose removing the TC, or slapping on the 100-400 could have been an option, but these look so good (even though this guy is only 85-90% full prime breeding plumage) I thought going for a close-up this time was a good idea. :S3: Gotta head back to that spot in a couple of weeks when these fellas will be at peak colour (just like the leaves).

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/800s., f/7.1, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, small crop after a CW rotation, a few specks in the water and on the feathers removed via spot removal and patch tools, ducks fed to entice them closer.

Daniel, I think the notable strength of this photo is the great perspective and composition. The most colourful part of this bird is it's head, and in making it a closeup portrait, you showcase that feature. Beautiful coloured calm water provided for a good reflection, so portrait orientation seems like the best choice.

I am wondering about the horizontal placement of the head in the frame, with the eye slightly left of centre. I have no doubt that was deliberate, but wonder if centre placement of the eye horizontally would work a bit better for this portrait. Can you tell I am grasping at straws to suggest ANY improvement?

All other technical aspects of capture and processing seem to be bang-on from my perspective, Daniel. This is great work :)

Daniel nice work great details nice colours and nice placement great work

Lovely image, Daniel. The woodies are just beginning to arrive in Florida, last week I saw group in a local lake. Thank you for sharing.

Excellent work, great detail and color and almost perfect reflection, Daniel.

Sweet. Beautiful comp, colors, techs. No nits from me, my only complaint being that I don't have these guys so close and cooperative around here.

Only way to make this better is to return on a windless day to get that perfect reflection!
Gail

Excellent image with beautiful reflection. Love the colours, drop of water and composition.

Regards,
Satish.