Common Loon Close

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 1D Mark IV
500mm +1.4x
Handheld

ISO 800
1/1600 sec
f/7.1

While on a 2 day canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks at the end of the summer, my family and I happened on a loon family. I was sitting in the canoe with my husband, child, and dog, and holding my 500mm for short periods as at that time I was dealing with some tendonitis issues (yes, too much handholding). But i wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by. This was when we had drifted quite close and I was feeling like I had too much lens. Thankfully, the loon did not seem alarmed by us.
There was the reflection in her eye of the sun and its trailing reflection on the water which I thought was distracting, so I took it all out. Am wondering if it looks ok without any catchlight. I am preparing this for a print and would really appreciate any feedback.
Thanks so much in advance for any comments and critiques.

[Nick Palmieri]

Wow I really like this! Great low angle, nice light and nice BG. Not sure what to tell you about the catch light, it does appear something is missing in the eye but I will defer that question to others.

[Doug Brown]

Hi Melissa. It would help if you would post the original for us to compare this version to. Nicely controlled exposure with excellent sharpness in the head. I wish there was a bit more sharpness in the body, and perhaps a slight head turn towards us.

[Randy Stout]

Melissa:

Excellent exposure on a challenging bird, head is sharp, with nice display of colors, good shooting angle.

Would like to see the original as well to judge the reflection. I often leave the horizon reflection in my loon images.

This was a difficult shot to get enough DOF because of your closeness, lens and the angle of the bird in the frame. If the body was further away, the OOF nature would be less of an issue.

Remarkable that you got this under the described shooting conditions, esp. the dog!

Cheers

Randy

[Peter Seidel]

A real stunner. The head/face detail and low angle is spot on. The face detail really draws you in. Handheld too - very impressive.

Pete

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks Doug. I wanted to do that but didn't know if it would be ok to post two. So here it is. And yes, I agree with you on the body sharpness, wish I could have stopped down a bit.

[Randy Stout]

Melissa:

I would remove the lower 2/3rds of the catchlight, but leave the upper portion intact.

Cheers

Randy

[Melissa Groo]

Ok, here's the final then, with that 2/3 removed. Thanks all for your counsel. And yes, Randy, I did feel like it was a bit of an accomplishment with a restless pitbull mix in the bow!

[Doug Brown]

The repost is much better IMO.

[Greg Oakley]

Superb detail in this portrait - I agree, the repost is better,
Cheers Greg

[David Salem]

Beautiful shot of a very clean adult male. Techs are perfect and love the supper low angle. Good job getting this with a boat load. The last re-post is exactly what I thought would look the best before I got to it. Print that one.

[Joe Senzatimore]

The last re-post is the winner. Should make a beautiful print.

[Satish Ranadive]

Melissa:
Gorgeous portrait with beautiful colors and details,love the eye.I like the repost with one catch light.

Regards,
Satish.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

The repost is a winner. Love that catchlight. Well done Melissa.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

3rd post rocks. Love the tight portrait and the dof is perfect too.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

last repost is perfect.

stunning close-up...the details, the exposure...HA, low angle. wouldn't touch a thing.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent Melissa! love everything here, I prefer the repost. TFS

[Robert Holguin]

Stunning shot!!!
I really like the comp, wonderful light, the detail is superb, and very nice low angle.
Last repost for sure.
Very well done.