Ruddy Duck

[Paul Lagasi]

Golf is over, 19.4F outside, blowing snow, everything is white. Time to hibernate and create. This is a image I took at the Augsburg Zoo in Germany. It's always nice when your subject isn't afraid and you can get real close. They are one of my favorite ducks. The exude attitude. Duck itself has a Fotosketcher oil effect and water is Topaz Buzz Sim color. For those of you in warmer climates enjoy, for those of us in the north, let the countdown to spring begin.


Ciao for now

[gary ellwein]

This cocky little guy in mating plumage is also one of my favorites. I like the painterly effect with preservation of an element of detail, particularly about the head. If mine, I would trim a bit off the bottom. There is not much going on there. Looking at the weather map you are getting hammered with this early winter blast. Stay warm and safe.

[Nancy Bell]

When possible I much prefer to photograph habituated animals as I believe they are most likely less stressed by people with cameras. Also from a selfish point of view, you can usually get closer. Great full-breeding colors and perky posture. I like that leaf-type of mottled bkgd. & the subtle framing picking up the bright orange & blue. Maybe a bit off the bottom, or the duck lower in the frame.

[Mitch Carucci]

Love the "expression" of this duck. Like the background textures also.

p.s. I am all the way south on LI in New york, and it was only 20F here this morning.

[Anita Bower]

I, too, like the expression of this duck. I didn't know ducks could do that. :-)
Lovely colors. The duck stands out nicely from the bg. My eye goes to the bright plumage in the center of the body, whereas I'd like to focus more on the head. Maybe brightening up the eye?

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Paul, I love ruddy ducks - they're one of my favorites. And this one has such a cute expression. I like the combination of Topaz and Fotosketcher a lot. I think I would change the blue-ish outline on the outside top of the bill so that the bill stands out more. Does that make sense? It just looks a little smudgy for lack of a more articulate, precise term.

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks all, I'll work on this a bit more. Cheryl makes sense the bill was burnt out and I tried to color the bill, that probably why it looks like it does.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I love the bg too, and that blue beak. I think Anita brings up a good point about darkening the plumage a bit. Maybe one day you could give a short tutorial on FS.

[Diane Miller]

I love the very unique effect here, with the "camo" BG concealing depth effects. Small nits: Would like to see the eye a little brighter, and it looks like it could use a slight CCW rotation.

I wouldn't move it down in the frame but might do a subtle gradient burn in the bottom 1/3 or so.