Lady Mallard

[Julie Kenward]

I took this image right before the lake's all froze over. I especially liked the water drops along the top of her head as she had just finished diving for greenery. I left in more water that usual because it was so interesting. Should I keep it or crop it?

Canon 40D, EF 70-200mm f/4L
f5.6 @ 1/250th, ISO 400
Manual mode, auto WB, Handheld
Overcast skies, no flash
Processed in ACR & CS4; Small crop, levels and exposure adjustment, sharpened.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Julie,
I would crop a tad off the bottom, and make it into the traditional composition or...do a pano crop, you can go both ways...the tones and multi colored hues in the water are superb...I like it...:cool:

[denise ippolito]

Jules, I like it and agree w/ slight crop off bottom-really love the water colors! The deep tones are great!!

[Alfred Forns]

I would even like seeing more water to the right leaving the quacker as is !!! Neat !!!

[Nonda Surratt]

the water is great, agree with more on the right, nice duckie

[Dave Leroy]

Interesting one Julie. I like how duckie is contrasted against the darker water. And interesting colours. Not sure if that is a reflection of oh line on the right or just the way the water is? Good one.
Dave

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Very unusual lighting Julie. Looks like a diagonal spotlight. Might be tempted to take a bit off the bottom and lighten the eye. Post looks awfully small????? Love the colour of the water, looks sooooo cold!

[Julie Kenward]

Jackie, this was actually close to the water's edge and a tree was leaning over, creating the spotlight effect. The fact that the duck moved into such a good position for me to get that angle was sheer luck!

[Gus Hallgren]

Well done, Jules like color and clarity, all suggestions and original will look good regardless of taste.

Uncle Gus