I usually don't post out of season images but the freezing rain/snow etc of today made me think of a memorable trip I took to Crete last fall. Here is a Common Moorhen from a river near Georgiopoli, Crete, taken from a paddle boat (!)
The main problem with this image was the BG which I had to tone down a lot. I blurred a little and then dodged and burned with a weak (15%), soft clone tool, picking smooth light or dark areas of the image as the source. Eventually I got the desired effect.
Canon EOS 40D, 70-200mm f4 IS x 1.4 tc = 280mm
capture date: Tuesday, 30 September, 2008 2:27 AM
exposure program: Aperture Priority
ISO speed: 640
shutter speed: 1/640
aperture: f5.6
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: OFF
Great angle, details and exposure control. I find only the one reed distracting that is 'sticking out' of the bird's side on the left side and would be tempted to clone it out.
Lovely detail in the bird. I particularly like the pattern in the bill extension onto the forehead. I am sure this has a scientific name, but whatever you call it, it looks great.
The catchlight in the eye, composition, and your background tone down, all work for me.
Moorhen from Crete
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