I was walking along a dam, heading for a location where I could actually get down to water level, when I saw this guy. I was attracted to the way the feathers were splayed out, and after several very quick slight variations of the single focus point, managed to get one with most of the feathers in focus. Canon 7D2, 100-400 II at 255. ISO 800, f/8, 1/640, handheld. Cloudy-bright light.
Minimal adjustments in LR. Into PS to lighten the reflection, darken the bottom of the water and tame a magenta cast that went unnoticed out of raw conversion.
Then I went on and sat in the mud for an hour and nobody came anywhere near. There is another spot with some cover from brush and trees that I'll try next time. The duck population seems very low this year.
Agree with the above Diane the detail on this is superb, just shows what can be done with a so called common bird and someone that can take it of course.
Hi Diane , you have stunning feature detail and a cool pose even if the angle does not seem to be optimal shooting down ?!
Overall the image appears a bit bright and thin in the tones , i might also look at the halo running along the " forehead " .
Well seen in the field and nice work , TFS Andreas
Gee whizz you have some beautiful detail there Diane, I didn't spot the halo at first but critical examination shows a slight one, most apparent from the forehead running up to the crown. Had you taken it from a more conventional angle I think you would only have seen half the fanned tail so I think this angle is pretty cool.
Gee whizz you have some beautiful detail there Diane, I didn't spot the halo at first but critical examination shows a slight one, most apparent from the forehead running up to the crown. Had you taken it from a more conventional angle think you would only have seen half the fanned tail so I think this angle is pretty cool.......
Just read previous comments regarding the halo!
Thanks for the comments everyone! Andreas, I agree the body is a bit low in contrast. The light was very soft, which gave it an appealing look that attracted me, but I've now reworked the raw with slightly different emphasis on the different tonalities. Don't know how much the difference will show here, but I think it's better -- thanks for the push. The water doesn't please me. I tried to give it a little more punch but it was limited by the dull light.
The halo appeared when I created the JPEG -- that should be fixed now. No sharpening of any sort except the LR default. Into PS for a touch of NR (Dfine), but it was a very subtle change that wouldn't show here. Removed some of the red dirt color in the reflection and aiso a very subtle lightening of the darker part of the head.
Hi Diane ..... i talked about tonal density / color density , not just contrast as i think the OP is contrasty enough . It just needs some depth .... well for sure just for my eyes , must not be for other eyes .
So here is what i was thinking the image should go , without thinking it is the right way ..... just my view .
Not sure what you did but I'd guess bringing down the center point of a Curve? For my tastes, the midtones have gone just a little muddy here. I prefer a brighter look -- but maybe halfway between these last two. I did tweak Exposure down a bit in LR for the RP -- it wasn't moved for the OP. That let me bring down Highlights less, restoring some contrast in the lights. (I should only speak of local contrast, as I can't remember the last time I touched the Contrast slider.)
Differences here could be partly monitors, as well as just preferences.
Diane i never touch the curve globally only through a mask , so it is not just curve down . Three layers with three luminosity masks , one curve , one exp and one sat layer to reduce the added blue color .
No problem if you like the brighter version more , with your RP you have also created a different color version ..... more a greenish touch , i prefer the op though .
IN the end you must like it the most .
Simply wonderful image, Diane, the original post that is minus the halo. Remarkably almost every feather, minus the underpinnings, showing as he grooms. Love the detail.
Late to the party as well Diane. IMO, the OP is the best and most accurate in colour. As Gail has mentioned, love the feet through the water. Beautiful detail, and I love his teeth.
Is it because you were sitting in the mud that nobody came near? Crazy person - keep away. It's great to see you posting.
Preening Mallard
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only through a mask , so it is not just curve down . Three layers with three luminosity masks , one curve , one exp and one sat layer to reduce the added blue color . 
