A beautiful wood duck; the problems here are entirely my own
Folks, I post this picture because I'm looking for some advice. I'll tell you first that the picture was taken with the Canon 7D and 200mm f2.8 lens at iso400, 1/800, 2.8. Please let me begin with a brief explanation and self-critique. I accidentally came across this wood duck on the rocks, an unexpected treat! I couldn't move back, couldn't get a lower angle. Why? Oh, because I was wearing a suit and tie, was on my way to a wedding party, but felt compelled to stop in at the park for a little birdwatching. I'd already muddied my dress shoes so as to photograph this wood duck, but thought it imprudent to immerse myself any deeper into this mucky and filthy area while sporting my finery. I really can't say why I didn't up the iso to 800 and either stop down or increase the shutter speed so as to catch some action. Let me also mention that there were other ducks in the water, and I didn't want them in frame, and thusly this composition was the only one available to me at the time! Anyhow: I like the light, I like the duck, I like the rocks and the leaf, but the composition feels unbalanced and mildly offputting. I don't want to get rid of this shot, but feel like it's too problematic as-is. Do you have any suggestions, my brilliant beast-hunters? Perhaps adding canvas to the top, and right? Or will that look too phony? I'll welcome your insight and thank you in advance for your time and trouble!
Last edited by Jack Breakfast; 09-04-2012 at 09:25 AM.
I can see why you like this photo. The color on the duck and the rocks are great. The rocks and the background would not have looked good if you had gotten down on the ground for that eye level shot. I would like a little more room at the top and maybe on the right. The top would be easy to add but the right might be a little more work.
Laurie, many thanks. I've tried adding canvas to the right but it's proved a little too difficult for me, which is to say that I can't make things look too natural. You're on the money, the top is easier. Still a little tricky in a few spots, but absolutely doable. I'll spend more time on it later, but here's a rough version with a little extra on top? I'd welcome your thoughts, Laurie, and everyone else's, too?
Last edited by Jack Breakfast; 09-04-2012 at 11:53 AM.
Nice portrait of her, Jack. I really like how the soft light brings out those colors. Yes, more room on right (and even a bit more on top) would be better. I take it you don't have CS5 or 6? The add canvas feature can do amazing things, and would probably pretty handily deal with that.
Hi Melissa! No no, I use the original CS (oh-la-la) and am trying to learn as much as possible with this program before upgrading. I've heard great things about the improvements to the patch tool, the content-aware fill, and many other things, too...I think you're right, a little extra on the top will help even more. As for the right, I know you're right, I just need to put the time in. I have some other pictures from the same "session" and am looking over them now. Perhaps I'll get lucky, somehow...
Hey Jack, really love the painterly feel here. In this case, the higher angle actually works nicely to bring out some texture in the water. I took a bit of time to expand the canvas on the top and right, crop the bottom and left for a better comp. I would have left a bit more space behind, but it would have been over 1024 pixels. I lightened the underbelly a bit and boosted the contrast too. I also thought it looked better without the leaf on the left. You have a solid image here, and I think a bit more post-processing would really help it pop.
That first repost really works for me Jack Breakfast...really works I'd say.
The image has a dark moody intimate quality to it, that frankly is something
out of the ordinary for wood duck images. The translucent water in the fg
adds a alot to the success of the image.
Hi Jack, I like how the duck is posed on the small rock, and good to see the colours on the wings. Im was fine with the OP space on the right, but adding to the top had to be done. I do like Aidan's repost too.