Mallard Drake In Eclipse Plumage

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Lake Morton in Lakeland, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED image captured at 400mm
1/2000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV 0 ISO 280 Auto 1 WB HH
Post processed in Lightroom Classic CC, Photoshop CC 2019 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped for composition and presentation

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

I like the wing position. I don't the eye/head is sharp enough.

Overall Image looks a bit dull with the grey water. You can try to add curve layer to increase contrast.

TFS

[gail bisson]

The wing position is perfect. I agree with sharpening the head a little bit more.
I am not a fan of grey water so this is not my favorite of yours! Personal taste thing.
gail

[Jonathan Ashton]

Jo the image does look a tad on the dull i.e. non vibrant side, the detail looks a little lacking - is it the NR killing it?? I am surprised you needed it - was the duck underexposed??

[annmpacheco]

Hey Joe, I need more cowbell, I mean more vibrance! Maybe a rework, WDYT?

[John Mack]

The flight pose is perfect. The light is what is what it is.

[Arthur Morris]

All good comments above. First off the bird is an obvious Mallard X Mottled Duck hybrid. (My understanding is that there are very few if any pure Mottled Ducks left ...)

For the repost Image > Auto Tone at 80% worked miracles on this image. Denise Ippolito taught me that one. It was followed by pulling up the Curve a bit and a Contrast Mask on the face. All as detailed in Digital Basics II.

with love, artie