Outside the lines - Widgeon in fall colors

[Grace Scalzo]

Crazy patterns in the water, so I included the wild reflection. Most times, I loose it, but since this image is as much about the patterns and colors as the duck, I left it in. I also think I could trim a chunk from the top. Looking forward to your thoughts.

1/500, f10, iso800
Canon 1Dmk4, 500f4 + 2.0 tc + lowered tripod (but not flat as I wanted the reflection)

[Randy Stout]

Grace:

I think the "Outside the lines" phrase may become our newest category! I am liking what is showing up.

The water patterns are great, and the colors go so well with the widgeon. I would agree about a crop from the top, but more modest than usual for this pose, because the water patterns add a lot.

Traditionally I would say, crop out the wavy reflection. AS an alternative, I would say, perhaps very gently tone it down, so it remains as a viewable detail, but doesn't immediately drag our eye to the white bill.

The whites on the flank look a bit hot on my work monitor, but it reads a bit hot despite calibration, so grain of salt there.

Appreciate you jumping in and crossing a few of those lines!

Cheers

Randy

[Jack Breakfast]

Hi Grace, the wigeon and water are most pleasing. You have a nifty donut-style reflection, and as far as wavy reflections go, a donut won't ruin anyone's day. Regarding pictures like these, which many of us are addicted to taking, the water is always as important as the duck. In that department I agree with you wholeheartedly. Overall: I'm not crazy about the donut reflection but after playing the "use-the-sidebar-to-crop-Grace's-picture" game for a short while (which I think you told me about in the first place) I vote thusly: keep the reflection in! I would, however, crop a slab off the top.

[Shawn Zierman]

Beautiful duck, magical water, light quality is excellent, details are perfectly sharp.
The image could benefit from some clockwise rotation. Agree with your thought
regarding trimming from the top.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

The duck is sharp, look well expose to me, with fine details and good pose. I agree that the pattern in the water is very beautiful. Since you have pretty water here, instead of cropping off the top maybe more room at left, right and bottom.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks, everyone, interesting suggestions!

[Dennis Zaebst]

Hi Grace, I am not bothered by the reflection. I too would take a bit more off the top. Beautiful image and beautiful bird...good exposure and sharpness.

[gail bisson]

Hi Grace,
The water colors are beautiful-copper, green, gold and browns= beautiful.
I like it as is but wish you had been lower because the reflection doesn't really add to the shot.
Exposure, IQ all excellent.
I know your reflection lines up perfectly and that the duck is angled slightly towards you but I feel you should do a bit of CW rotation to fool the eye,
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

cool shot, a crop from the top will be helpful.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the wacky warped reflection! The water is superb. I too agree with a crop from above...

[Melissa Groo]

Yet another vote for a crop from the top, would love to see this in a repost. That water is so funky and beautiful, and there is a lot to take in, between the textures in the water and the details in the bird's plumage. A really pleasing image.

[John Cooper]

Thats a neat rendition of the Widgeon Grace, and i love the patterns & colours and the crazy reflection in the water - lovely sharp image , good exposure. Composition would be improved IMO with a crop from the top. Well seen and taken.

[Grace Scalzo]

Melissa requested a repost, how's this grab you?

[Melissa Groo]

Yes! I think this is more engaging, Grace. Nice job.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hi Grace. I like the reflection and was going to suggest some off the top and it does look better. Do you have just the slightest bit left from the bottom? I am feeling the need for it as I think the reflection is too close to the edge...I keep going back to it. I really like the water colors ,patterns and the detail on the duck.

[Grace Scalzo]

Cheryl, yes, I do, but the reflection was repeating again. I could do a little creative ps work and add. Good point.

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image Grace,nice light,sharp,great colors and pattern in the water magic.well done.