Landing into the white - Mallard hen on final

[Randy Stout]

Taken last weekend, while practicing handheld BIF. Not great light, but good company with a group of photographer friends.

D4 500 AFS f/6.3 1/2500s ISO 1000 Manual exp. Hand held

Post: Modest crop for comp. Selective sharpening. Cleaned up some minor blemishes in the BG

I rather liked the somewhat reversed visual expectation while landing, in this case going from dark BG and landing into the light. Light of course caused by snow covered lake.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent incoming flight shot, Randy. The bright surface (snow) worked for your advantage, lighting up the duck. Nice soft light and nice details.

[Rachel Hollander]

Great detail and colors. I like the slight tilt to the body and HA. I don't mind the bright snow but might take just a fraction off the bottom so as not to draw the eye away from the duck.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marina Scarr]

This duck really stands out, Randy, and I am loving this flight pose. The BG & FG works great with your subject, and love all those details under the wings.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice Randy, sharp and great exposure. snow adds drama. I wish the feet were extended for landing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, the mallard is placed in the right half of the BG - lighter duck against darker BG. Great incoming pose, sharp,and I like the slight head turn.

[christopher galeski]

great landing pose,love theBG,sharp,and I too like the head turnthanks.

[Mike Veltri]

Lovely incoming shot of this hen. Always nice to photograph them when there is snow to light up their undersides.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your input.

Arash - I do wish the feet were flared more too, would have given a nice pop of color.

Mike- I probably prefer shooting in the winter over any other season because of the lovely snow fill light. (except for loons of course)

Cheers

Randy

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Randy,

Lovely action caught in this image. The fill light under those wings is "to die for" and I sure wish we had some of that in FL (I guess we have sand, huh?).

I also wish the legs were extended, but not a deal breaker. I wouldn't crop from the bottom. It's bright, but I like the room down there.

Miguel

[Melissa Groo]

Sweet pose and great details, Randy, this is a treat to look at.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the sharpness, light, details and composition. Excellent image Randy!

[Robert Holguin]

Stunning image!!!
Excellent pose and the background is just awsome.
Very nice details and great comp.
Very well done.