Coot

[Ian Roy]

Canon 5Dmk3
Canon 400mm f5.6 lens
f5.6
1/500 sec
ISO 1600
Exp bias +0.7 step
Process , Light adjustment Viveza 2 , Clone stamped some of the noise away and masked beak to enhance detail in CS6
Wild bird /Local pond

Hi
These Coots are everywhere and I love their 'White head shields'. I have been trying to get this for a while, though you can see from the settings the light levels were not good. To get the head and water droplet combo i wanted , I had to crop heavy on the image. I like the pattern the beak and shield make although this won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Cheers
Ian

[Marina Scarr]

Absolutely LOVE this unique perspective, Ian. The water drop of course puts this one in a league of its own. I love the fact that the eyes are symmetrical and almost identical. Thank you for giving us something unique and fun to view and ponder.

[Sachin Saraf]

very cool image Ian...that drop really adds to the image...Excellent details in black and white...very different image of this bird..

[Melissa Groo]

What an awesome image, Ian. Love the graphic nature of this, and that water drop is killer. If your ethics allow, might try lightening the eyes just a little bit to have them stand out more.

[gail bisson]

Very unusual composition and very graphic.
The water drop really makes this shot as well as the perfectly symmetrically placed eyes.
Very nice and different.
Gail

[Robert Holguin]

Terrific close up shot!!!
Excellent exposure, superb details, and I really like the comp.
Very well done.

[Jack Breakfast]

I almost never see any bird-related pictures that bring such a healthy smile while simultaneously hitting that good artful spot. Yes, this is some appealing art, that's for sure. You've turned the familiar into something quite surreal, and the familiarity's still there but it's bent over slightly into the realm of the semi-magical? I would be DELIGHTED to see the original crop, and others might be also, just to see what you've done. Then again, most magicians hate sharing their secrets...

[Troy Lim]

Very unique...amazing moment captured here.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Ian, agree with others. This is a fine shot. Loved the tight crop and the water drop. Terrific dynamic range. Well done.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Fantastic and very creative image! It is such a great perspective and also creates a little optical illusion. The drop puts it to the top and like Melissa, I also could see a little eye lightening for some pop

[vishaljadhav]

Lovely image
The front onn coot is something i have only witnessed this close through a spotting scope, never with my lens and hence the dream of making a front on image still is in there
The water drop is like icing on the cake making this a amazing image.
Thanks for showing this perspective

[Nick Palmieri]

Really cool and different perspective. I like it!

[Doug Brown]

I love it when a photographer captures an image of a common bird in a completely new way. Very creative! I only wish the noise were better controlled.

[Mark Itol]

Very cool and unique composition!

[dankearl]

The crop shows, but great idea, cool design and very unique.

[Mike Milicia]

Wonderfully creative image and the water drop puts it over the top for me!

Given the overall tightness of the composition which is very effective, I might also take a tiny bit off the top to emphasize it even more.

[Ian Roy]

Just want to say thanks for the inputs ... Its so nice to get a constructive view rather than the wife yawning at yet another bird snap.
I agree with Doug forcing the issue on achieving the crop meant noise was problem and lighting the eyes a smidgen may have help.

[Mike Veltri]

Very unique portrait, love the water droplet Ian.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Visually this is quite stunning! A wonderful look at the crown plate, love the symmetry, and of course the water drop is a super bonus. The IQ has taken a hit from the big crop, but the artistic element trumps that...well seen!

[Uri First]

wow, a great and unique image of a simple bird. well done!!