I get to our local Waterfowl Park in Sackville, NB almost every night and for the last few days, these beautiful Blue-winged Teal have been around. This is a portrait of the male. I would have liked a slightly better head angle. In low light conditions like this I have been trying manual focus while keeping the subject composed, all of course from a tripod. I don't have a gimbal head yet so this is a challenge. The strand hanging from the bill is a filament of algae on which the birds are feeding.
40D, 500 mm, F4
capture date: Monday, May 5, 2008 65:14 PM
exposure program: Aperture Priority
ISO speed: 640
shutter speed: 1/160
aperture: f8.0
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
Considering that you are equipment-challenged, you did a great job of keeping the bird in focus! Exposure is good. I don't feel like the reflection adds to the photo in light of the fact that the head is obscured to a significant extent. For that reason, I would crop significantly off the bottom of the frame. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Doug. Still unsure of how to deal with reflections. sometimes I like just a hint so that it is not overwhelming. Anyway here's a re-crop that I think does what you suggest. I kept the bill in the reflection. Maybe I should have cropped out completely.
This works better for me John. I think a good reflection adds to an image, but in this case I think it detracts. I know what you're saying about how to deal with reflections; they can make cropping a real challenge. But that's why BPN is here; post your crop and you can count on plenty of feedback!
Hi John,
1 vote for the re-post..........my rule for reflections is (I'm sure others wil chime in)..........if it doesn't add to the overall image...........minimize it...........this usually mean the reflection is very goood and not busy. Will be interesting to hear other opinions!
Blue-wing portrait
5:14 PM
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