McGinniss' Mallard

I named this one after my favorite pastor who always seems to be sitting with a smile on his face despite all the crazy stuff going on around him. ;)

I started with one of my favorite mallard images from last year, added a texture in overlay mode over the top, went to the PS filters menu and added a craquelure filter over that, took it into Nik Viveza 2 and did a curves adjustment, and then finished it with a dark edge/light center filter in Nik Color Efex. Whew!

I still think I might not be done with this one but that's enough for tonight! :D

I really like the comp Jules- the mallard looks so totally relaxed :) Good choice of filters, they really add alot of depth to the image. There's alot about this one to enjoy, and can't see anything I'd change.. really well done :)

Jules, The effect came out lovely. I might be tempted to take a little off the top. The colors of the BG are fantastic. The craquelure filter looks really good:)

Beautifully composition, Julie. I like the low angle and the posture of the mallard. The colors and the background texture is very nice. Great use of the filters. Nicely done.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Denise, I think you're right - probably should knock a little off the top. I'll reposition the texture layer and see if I can't get the good stuff to move down closer to the duck and whack a little off.

I like it but would crop a little of the bottom where the blurred foreground is, that distracts me

Nice composition...I might rotate a bit CW..but thats only me...TFS

Thanks Myer...now I'm thinking between your and Denise's suggestions I might go pano with this. Yes, Paul I should CW him but I kind of like him cockeyed - like he's just settling down. Good eye, though!

Jules, I love the craquelure texture. I'd hate to lose the really nice colors at the very top but would like to see
it as more of a pano look. Could you remove a tad above the foliage and merge the top down?