Well, I don't agree with my own subject actually. Every image tells a story and this one says "I'm a young of the year Ring-necked Duck, learning to feed and getting wet, which makes me look rough, but you wait and see me after I moult!" I like that.
I didn't need to do much to the image other than a modest crop, dodged to brighten up the head a little, removed the flash catch-light, sharpen (no NR needed). I wanted to give the bird a lot of room in the frame, partly because I like the background and partly to give a sense of movement to the right. However, this particular crop has placed the eye bang in the middle. Maybe this isn't so good??
Date: 5 September, 2010, Time: 09:36h
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x @ 700 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 800, 1/1000s, f/7.1
Flash: on, beamer, Manual, 1:1
09-05-2010, 08:18 PM
Phil Ertel
Hi John,
I like the feel of this one. I love the way the foreground and background blend so well that one can't distinguish between the two. The bird has lots of nice detail and a good head angle. Your exposure looks spot on. Personally I think your crop works. I am hardly an expert but, since you have allowed approximately three times more space in front of the bird than behind it the location of the eye in this image does not bother me. I will be interested in what other have to say.
Thanks for sharing.
09-06-2010, 08:07 AM
Joe Senzatimore
Nothing ugly here. Beautiful water color and great low angle make this one work.
09-06-2010, 09:30 AM
Randy Stout
John:
I sort of like his 'punky' look. Nice techs, smooth water. Left to right placement looks just right for me. I have mixed feelings about all the space above. My first impulse is to crop down about 20% of the free space from above, but then the 'story' of the image changes, less small bird, bird water, to a more intimate look at the bird itself. Your call of course.
