Getting it just right - Trumpeter swan doing touch up

[Randy Stout]

This trumpeter was imaged last weekend. I was primarily working the fall colors, but this fellow was so strikingly lit against the dark water and background, it caught my eye.

D4 500 AFS f/6.3 1/2000s ISO 640 Hand held

Post: Minor crop for comp, selective sharpening, minor water clean up. Detail extractor to help tame a few hot spots in the whties.

Advice and comments appreciated. I tried several different crops, but kept coming back to this. I thought the dark rocks in the BG added some depth to the image without being distracting.

Cheers

Randy

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot Randy.
I really like the prenning pose, great eye contact, whites look good, and nice details.
I don't think there to many options for cropping and I personally think you did a great job.
Well done.

[PhilCook]

Exposure looks good, such a lovely pose and rather like the head being just off the water surface....I'd possibly be inclined to run a slight noise reduction to the surrounds to enhance further

[Gary Esman]

Excellent light angle on this Randy. The details in the feathers pop off the screen. Gorgeous shot. I am not sure it needs any NR.

Gary.

[dankearl]

That is one beautiful swan! I think you nailed this, the exposure, pose and BG are really nice.
I would maybe move it a tad to the left, but that is a personal preference.

[Karen Forderer]

The white feathers look gorgeous against the dark background. I like the composition you have chosen.

[Jon Rista]

Great shot, I love its pose! I think the light/dark contrast works well here, the dark is just right. I think the highlights on the neck are just a bit too bright, and might withstand some slight highlight recovery. Wonderful work, though, Randy!

[David Salem]

Beautiful pose. The light against the dark makes for a nice contrast in the scene. Nice details in the whites too. Great work.

[Satish Ranadive]

Very sweet image of preening swan.Love the pose,great details in whites and backdrop.

Regards,
Satish.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments and input. The whites are close to the edge, but not blown. They show good detail on my NEC monitor, not as much on my lesser quality work monitor. For general web consumption, I probably should town them down a bit more.

Cheers

Randy

[Shawn Zierman]

Visually striking...the whites of the swan look beeeaautiful!
Perfect sharpening and perfect crop choice.
Love the coiled neck and excellent eye contact in an unusual
location.

[Chris Kotze]

Super exposure and a super pose, excellent captured

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Superb pose, love the dark BG and the swan stand out so nicely. The whites look to have a slight blue cast. Nice work.