Landing Mallard

Canon 7D
Canon EF400mm f/5.6L

1/1250sec f/5.6 ISO 200

S/H, sharpening in CS5
NR in Noiseware Pro

Ian:

I don't know how much this image has been cropped, but if the file data permitted it, I might crop this a bit more on the right, left and below, to eliminate more of the negative space and concentrate more on the bird. I would also clone out the wispy vegetation at the bottom, since IMO it doesn't make a strong positive contribution.

I like the image of the incoming mallard but see what appear on my monitor to be artifacts or noise, particularly on the underside of the wing to the right of the bird's body as viewed here, but elsewhere as well. I would try to reduce that.

I also see a loss of feather definition in the white area of the wing at the top on the right side of the image. If the file data permit it, I would try to tone down that hot spot.

But the pose of the incoming bird is interesting. Thanks for sharing this image. :)

Norm

I like the pose but the image is very soft and noisy, light is harsh too, I would try again.