Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula)

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hand held, water level
Olympus E-M1X
Metering mode : Pattern
Exposure program : Manual
Shutter speed : 1/1250 sec
Aperture : F5.6
ISO 500
Exposure bias : 0 EV
Lens focal length : 420 mm
Focal length in 35 mm film : 841.0mm
Flash : OFF

ACR + PSCC

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jon, I like your eye level perspective here, and overall well exposed. I say that, but maybe increasing a touch more exposure on the head, as I can a slight purple sheen there, and it will show up a little more. The eye pops nicely, and I like the droplets all over the duck too.

[gail bisson]

This is lovely.
IQ is excellent and the "tuft" is very well seen. Perfect HA and I like the bit of vegetation on his flank.
Does this need a bit of CW rotation? I really like the 2 little leaves on right.
I see a small black speck in the water just above your signature. Might be a bug but I would evict it.
Gail

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Outstanding, Jonathan. Around here these ducks are extremely skittish. Like the tuft, and raised left foot. Nice droplets on the fine feather detail. There is a very light green strand with loop of vegetation on the upper white feathers below the neck. It doesn't bother me in the least, but wanted to bring it to your attention.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[William Dickson]

Looking good Jon....The colours look spot on here. Just enough perch showing. Good detail and sharp, especially on the head.

Will

[Bill Dix]

Wonderful pose, good POV, colors, detail. Stu's suggestion might be worth a try if it could bring out a bit of the purple sheen.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks for the feedback everyone glad you liked it. i took the image last year shortly after I bough the camera but I wasn't happy with the processing. I have since learned a few tricks and I think the quality is now a little better.
Stu - good idea I have a repost for your consideration!
Gail - yes that is a small mossie/gnat. I tend to leave little bits in like that I think it helps demonstrate authenticity. I don't really have anything against perfectly cleaned up images but when I see them I am left wondering if it a natural image as nature intended or a cleaned up image. Don't get me wrong I am still no angel if something really detracts I will try to fix it.
Geoffrey, yes thanks I saw the algae strand. It maybe spyrogyra or "water silk".
Cheers Will.
Bill your wish is my command!

The image was taken in Yorkshire from a hide that is dug out and you can photograph at water level. (Will - place called Top Hill Low - certainly worth a visit)

[John Mack]

Great pose and framing here. Nice you were at eye level. Detail and image quality looks very nice. Their was one of these guys on the lake were i live about a month ago. Too far out for any decent frames though. Drew in a good amount of birders.

[Dorian Anderson]

Wasn't expecting much from the thumbnail, but this is a really pleasant surprise! Excellent exposure and details - particularly on the scaly leg - and the head angle imparts him with an engaging, even curious, look. I agree with Gail
the image could use 2-3 degrees of CW rotation, more to level the background than the log.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I always get a kick seeing how much larger and rounder ducks are when out of the water! I also prefer the extra room all around in the repost.