Wood Duck Portrait and Reflection.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Sometimes having too much lens for a full body image has me switching strategies...namely going for portraits. Even horizontals had the subject too tight in the frame, so going for in-camera verticals did the trick. I suppose removing the TC, or slapping on the 100-400 could have been an option, but these look so good (even though this guy is only 85-90% full prime breeding plumage) I thought going for a close-up this time was a good idea. Gotta head back to that spot in a couple of weeks when these fellas will be at peak colour (just like the leaves).

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/800s., f/7.1, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, small crop after a CW rotation, a few specks in the water and on the feathers removed via spot removal and patch tools, ducks fed to entice them closer.

[Ross Taylor]

Daniel, I think the notable strength of this photo is the great perspective and composition. The most colourful part of this bird is it's head, and in making it a closeup portrait, you showcase that feature. Beautiful coloured calm water provided for a good reflection, so portrait orientation seems like the best choice.

I am wondering about the horizontal placement of the head in the frame, with the eye slightly left of centre. I have no doubt that was deliberate, but wonder if centre placement of the eye horizontally would work a bit better for this portrait. Can you tell I am grasping at straws to suggest ANY improvement?

All other technical aspects of capture and processing seem to be bang-on from my perspective, Daniel. This is great work :)

[Derek Willcox]

Daniel nice work great details nice colours and nice placement great work

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image, Daniel. The woodies are just beginning to arrive in Florida, last week I saw group in a local lake. Thank you for sharing.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent work, great detail and color and almost perfect reflection, Daniel.

[Bill Dix]

Sweet. Beautiful comp, colors, techs. No nits from me, my only complaint being that I don't have these guys so close and cooperative around here.

[gail bisson]

Only way to make this better is to return on a windless day to get that perfect reflection!
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image with beautiful reflection. Love the colours, drop of water and composition.

Regards,
Satish.