Wood Duck

[Jim Crosswell]

This was taken last week at a local pond. A lower angle would have introduced unwanted elements plus I like the reflection. All C&Cs are welcome and appreciated.

Canon 1D MK IV
500L f4
1.4 Extender
ISO 1000
1/2500s
f5.6
Tripod

[Geoff Newhouse]

I like the shot, the water is a nice colour but a little bit complicated with all the ripples and such. My very first impression was it needs an even lower angle but then read your reasoning. Still lower would be better as you well know. Good details in the subject, good head angle.

Now lets discuss the inclusion of the reflection. My personal felling on reflections is that if they aren't in smooth as glass water, they should be cropped away. This one comes close to one that I might include but after further study my preference would be to crop the majority of it out. Again, I really only like them if they look as clean as the subject and this one still has some distortion and wave ripples in it. Of course everyone will have their own opinions and all are valid. This is just mine.

Great image overall, thanks for sharing it.
Geoff

[dankearl]

The angle is low enough. The water is the star here for me, I think a much looser crop if you have it would good.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image of a female woody. I like the reflection and the color of the water. Good techs. Thank you for sharing, Jim.

[adrian dancy]

I agree with Dan...the bird's eye is a star too.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jim, this angle works well enough for me, even after your reasoning for not going lower. Interesting to see the difference in the texture of the water, top and bottom, and as Im pro good reflections, this one is good enough to keep. I would clean up the catchlight in the reflection though. Im with Geoff with cropping away distorted reflections. The conditions will always be the determining factor.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Great colours and I agree about the looser crop!
Well done and TFS!

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.