Mallard: First Attempt at a High-Key Image

[Phil Ertel]

Camera: Canon XTi
Lens: EF70-200mm IS USM +2
Focal Length: 150mm
Exposure: Manual at 1/100s at f/5.6
ISO: 800
Flash did not fire.

This is my first attempted at capturing a high-key image. The sun had broken through the trees and was casting bright spots on the water. So I metered on the bright water in manual mode and added 1+stop. I checked the histogram to make sure the duck didn’t have any flashing highlights. I then proceeded to capture several images. The one below is the one I liked best.

Converted in ACR with minor adjusted to temperature, clarity, and curves (no crop full-frame). In CS3 selective colors I add a boosted the black in the blacks and neutral. I added a bit more contrast in curves. Last I stroke an edge.

Does this work for you? Any suggestion to improve this type of image would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much for you critiques.

Regards,

Phil

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Very lovely. Nice subdued colours. Works for me!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Excellent capture Phil. Your subject is very sharp and well placed in the frame. Also head angle works very well.
Congrats,

[Desmond Chan]

Excellent capture Phil. Your subject is very sharp and well placed in the frame. Also head angle works very well.
Congrats,

I agree !!

[denise ippolito]

I've been tempted to show a high- key image but they are so tricky. I think it works here.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Phil,
I like this high-key image. the only thing that I would do is to selective sharpen the eye, its a bit out of focus, the focal point was not on the eye...:cool:

[Lance Peters]

Hi phil - congrats on your first high key image - you have the idea. Dont be shy dialling in the + compensation when doing these - I have been at +4.3 in the past to get a high key image.

agree with Gus's comments.

Well done.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Phil Glad your trying high key images !!! They do look good and at times are the only choice.

I think the base compensation could have been even more probably plus two !!! Head area is somewhat dark and you don't want to open up since noise will be introduced. For these you can also use fill flash I like it a lot !!!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Works for me too!

[Harold Davis]

love it phil!!! first time i looked at it i thought a contrast boost. maybe a little brightening too. very well done! love the high key and just enough detail to see the perch.

[Nonda Surratt]

It works great, nice job