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Thread: Big headed duck

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Big headed duck

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    This Woody was captured last week on a vernal pond courtesy of my friend, Roy vanLoo. I was struck by how big his head appears!

    Much more canvas to work with in this image, so not as tight as the previous two. Always the balance between different poses (swimming vs. flapping) to get as much detail as possible, yet have enough canvas to work with. Particularly at high ISO, I don't want to be cropping too much.

    Z6. 500m f/4, ISO 2500, 1/800s. AF set on wide area/small, which works pretty much like Group setting on the DSLRs, with closest subject priority. Not exactly, but close. The AF has continued to improve with firmware updates.

    Post: LR and Photoshop CC. Small crop for comp, NR on background only, cleaned up a spot on the iris, and a few spots in the water.

    Advice and comments appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    This Woody was captured last week on a vernal pond courtesy of my friend, Roy vanLoo. I was struck by how big his head appears!

    Much more canvas to work with in this image, so not as tight as the previous two. Always the balance between different poses (swimming vs. flapping) to get as much detail as possible, yet have enough canvas to work with. Particularly at high ISO, I don't want to be cropping too much.

    Z6. 500m f/4, ISO 2500, 1/800s. AF set on wide area/small, which works pretty much like Group setting on the DSLRs, with closest subject priority. Not exactly, but close. The AF has continued to improve with firmware updates.

    Post: LR and Photoshop CC. Small crop for comp, NR on background only, cleaned up a spot on the iris, and a few spots in the water.

    Advice and comments appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Randy, love the color and the detail. Did you use a particular crop dimension setting or custom? It appears long and narrow from what I can see, and I was wondering what a little more of the reflection would do for the image.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Brian:

    Yes, cropped from full frame. The reflection was weak enough that I didn't think it added much.

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Brian:

    Yes, cropped from full frame. The reflection was weak enough that I didn't think it added much.

    Randy
    Understood. Thank you and again, gorgeous shot!

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    I love Wood Ducks, so this certainly works for me. I have to agree that the head is a bit bizarre in size.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Spot on Randy wonderful colours, almost certainly an optical illusion but does it need a tiny ant clockwise rotation?

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    A beautiful image Randy, love the soft light and colours. Open beak is a nice plus. Low angle just works.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Love the perky pose and the perfect exposure.
    Nice POV.
    I see a vertical line on right side top if frame that I would smooth out.
    Well done,
    Gail

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for your comments. Great fun to hang out with these colorful creatures.

    Gail- thanks for pointing out the vertical line issue.

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Super fun image with the calling pose here! Jon meant counter clock-wise as that is what it seems to need. Sharp, colourful, well-balanced comp, and I love the "painted-brush" streaks in the water in front of the duck.

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    Nice view of this male. Like the water drops. Texture in the water is pretty neat.

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