American Coot

[Michael Pancier]

40d+500 4.0L
f/5.6
1/60
ISO 400
580ex ii at -1 (no bb)

I used Viveza to balance the bird (tone down the body and beak while brightening the head and eye)

[Tony Whitehead]

Stunning water, Michael. I love the eye and feather detail. Head turn works perfectly with the body angle I find Artie's linear burn trick very good on coot beaks for bringing up detail. I find the orange blob in the water and the blurred speck above the head distracting and would try and eliminate the pale reflection lines across the face. A very striking image.

[Michael Pancier]

Stunning water, Michael. I love the eye and feather detail. Head turn works perfectly with the body angle I find Artie's linear burn trick very good on coot beaks for bringing up detail. I find the orange blob in the water and the blurred speck above the head distracting and would try and eliminate the pale reflection lines across the face. A very striking image.

at first I thought the orange blob may have been it's feet, but you're probably right, it's probably a leaf or something.

[Doug Brown]

Good suggestions by Tony. I would also apply a slight CCW rotation to the image. The water is wonderful!

[Aidan Briggs]

Good comments from above. I love the water color. Maybe just a bit more room in the front.