In Living Color

[Michael Castellano]

I waited for the better part of an hour to catch a male mallard swimming through this area in just the right spot and at just the right angle, but the wait was worth it. No PS playing around with the colors, they come from trees in the background in various autumn colors being reflected off the water. Your thoughts, comments, and criticisms are much appreciated. Please keep in mind that this image was cropped with a much larger viewing size in mind than is available here.

Hand-held, ISO 400, F-13, 400m focal length, 1/400 SS
November 10, 2007, "Upper Pool," Prospect Park, Brooklyn

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome, Michael! Very nice first post. I like the composition, iridescence, vibrant BG colors and eye contact. Would it have been possible to get to a lower angle? Keep them coming!

[Wally Nussbaumer]

Nicely done Michael, and welcome. The colors are amazing especially since they are natural. I doubt a lower angle would have been possible without getting wet yourself!

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks for the feedback, Axel. I think an even lower angle would have substantially negated the rainbow effect of the water reflections and also introduced the trees in the background which would have negated the overall effect I was after..

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks, Walter! As I explained to Axel, an even lower angle would have largely negated the rainbow effect I was after.

[Fabs Forns]

Spectacular first post, great welcome to BPN, looking forward to more!

Agree that a lower angle would have lost the water effects, like as presented!

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks for the feedback, Fabs!

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to BPN. Vivid colors makes this one for me but I would tone them down just a hair.

Keep them coming!

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks for the feedback, Maxis!

[Antonio Lopez]

Hi Michael,

Welcome.

What a way to make your first post, with a splash of color. Nicely done.

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks, Antonio!!

[Judd Patterson]

What a wild view with those electric reflection colors. This image had a lot of impact and really is a pleasure to view. Good work!

[Lance Peters]

Nice first post :)

Personally I would do a little work on the eye - lighten and sharpen a bit if possible.

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks, Judd!

[Michael Castellano]

Thanks, Lance. There wasn't much more to be gotten from the eye, the detail is just not there beyond what you see as I've already dodged that area to tolerances. The eye does look better, however, when a full sized version is viewed. The panoramic crop made the height of the upload rather short and the duck smaller than I would have liked for the viewer.