Ruddy Duck

[Lyle Gruby]

Shot this guy while lying on the bank of a NWR in Arkansas. Hiding between some reeds and underneath makeshift camo netting. Had been lying on the rocks of the bank for almost 2 hours by the time these finally approached close enough for some decent shots. All C&C always learned from and appreciated.

Techs:

D7000
200-400 with 1.4 @ 550mm
f/5.6
1/3200
ISO 500

[Randy Stout]

Lyle:

Great low angle, colors very nice, cute subject, well exposed. The bill looks pretty sharp, the eye and head a bit less so. A bit more USM might help there, and to improve the apparent sharpness of the eye, would consider removing the lower catchlight. I generally leave the 2nd catchlight alone, unless it seems to effect the overall sharpness.

I might consider a slight crop off the bottom.

The BG is very nice, although I would think about softening some of the darker shades on the left, just to smooth it a bit.

Cheers

Randy

[Lyle Gruby]

Agree with all points. Haven't actually sharpened at all except for LR 4's default sharpening when resizing. Those points will definitely make for a stronger image. Thanks Randy.

[dankearl]

The IQ is very good and the water and shooting angle about perfect.
I would not change a thing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Lyle, Excellent low perspective, and overall well exposed. I feel the head is a touch soft, and would run a round of sharpening on the head. I agree with Randy to take a bit off the bottom, but would also take a bit off the left too. Yes to smoothening out the lines in the ULC.

[Gary Esman]

As mentioned above very nice low angle! Background is nice and agree with cropping a bit off the bottom and tad more sharpening on the head.

Gary.

[Tim King]

I really like the low light and BG. It warms this photo up nicely. Fine job.

[Diane Miller]

I love how the color of the duck matches the color of the BG, and the shimmering effect of the water shot at a low angle with shallow DOF.

Agree with the subtle BG cleanup suggested.

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely subject, water and BG. The bird isn't looking as sharp as I Would like to see, regardless of the second catchlight. I would add some more sharpening and try removing the second catch light. I would also crop from the right.