This drake Long-tailed Duck image was created on the recently concluded Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the Canon 1.4x EF teleconverter, and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. The AF sensor was on the water below the side of the bird’s breast where the black meets the white; don’t ask me why the eye is sharp…. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.
Dealing with choppy water and fierce winds with gusts up to 50mph made it difficult to avoid getting knocked on your butt on the jetty. Trying to get the AF sensor squarely on the bird with the bird anywhere in the frame was a great challenge. Photographing swimming sea ducks is often difficult on windless days…..
The bird was much too high in the original frame. You can see the original in my blog post here. I asked folks how I got from A to B, how I created some extra space above the bird while reducing the size of the reflection below the bird to create a more pleasing composition.
On New Years Day, I posted a free Photoshop tutorial video showing exactly what I did. You can read the whole story and see the free video by clicking here.
As for the optimized image above, don't be shy; all comments are welcome. And all have a great and healthy 2013.
Last edited by Arthur Morris; 01-01-2013 at 08:22 PM.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
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Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
You did a very nice job with the conditions, although if I hadn't read your blog, I would have thought it was very nice anyway.
I liked the full frame actually with just a bit off the bottom.
The wave is very nice, it seems the duck is just hanging on.
The water just below the duck is super, looks like crystals.
It conveys the stormy conditions very well.
Hi Artie, I really like this image and how the bird is riding near the top of the wave. The texture of the rolling water adds an interesting aspect as well.
Wonderful shot.
I really like the wave the duck is riding. It really shows the conditions you describe.
Great pose and exposed very well.
Very well done.
The looking at you pose is excellent. Exposure is right on. Love the stormy looking water. Great work keeping the duck in focus in extreme conditions, Artie.
Arthur Sir:
Magnificent image.Love the pose,colors,great details,waves in the water and composition.
Wish you Very Very Happy New Year.
Thank you very much for wonderful gift, beautiful video.
Happy New Year's Gift
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