Out of the shadows…..

[dankearl]

Male Wood Duck.

1/2500, iso1000, f6.3, 600mm (300f2.8 w/2x), D800, Handheld

002_4800bp.jpg

[Henry Domke]

The focus looks accurate and the pose and head angle seem good. However, even though Wood Ducks are one of our most spectacular birds this one does not quite make it.
Having the rear half of the bird in shadow is distracting.The water and the background is a bit dark and chaotic and the brown color is not very inviting. Do you have any other shots of the bird?

[dankearl]

Sorry you didn't like Henry…..
I don't usually respond to criticism like yours, but…. I thought it was pretty good, I guess I have to rethink my photography.
I have lots of Wood Ducks, maybe I will post another someday...

[Ashley Cohen]

Great low POV and a good exposure, a wonderful image

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Looks great to me Dan. Low angle, seamless fg/bg merge, purple cheek patch, IQ, all great.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the low angle and details, the colors are nice too. I would try to recover more details in the blacks

TFS

[Frank Schauf]

Great colors and nice deep shooting position.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Lovely detail, I like the colours, I appreciate the rear part of the bird is in shade but I would recommend trying to brighten it a little bit. I like the setting/surrounding water.

[Grace Scalzo]

I guess that everyone sees things differently, but I love this image. The head being lit up allows my eye to linger on it and appreciate its beauty.

[Bill Dix]

Personally I rather like the way he's emerging from the shadows, and the misty looking BG. Comp is nice. I agree that opening up the shadows on his rear end might help.

[Karl Egressy]

Love the pose, low shooting angle and the mysterious looking background, Dan.

[Rob Melone]

It's a beautiful capture of light, color and detail!

[Iain Barker]

I really like this Dan and quite like the way the head is lit more than the body as it help draw the attention there.
TFS
Iain

[Troy Lim]

You have better wood duck images than this one. I would have loved to see a more evenly lit one. It is just a personal preference.

[gail bisson]

I really like this Dan. As Chas Glatzer says "light illuminates and shadows define".
This is a good example of the saying.
I personally really like the painterly BG that appears as though it has brushstrokes.
Terrific POV and the iridescence is beautifully exposed for.
I would try to eek out a bit more details in the black feathers on the back of the duck but lovely as is.
Has a nice mood to it,
Gail