These are one of my favourite subjects- Ring-necked Ducks, in this case a male. They are still a challenge to approach so you end up working them from farther than you would like. Image made at Sackville Waterfowl Park.
I cropped and ran some NR on BG (Noise Ninja). Also removed the flash highlight from the eye. Highlight whites are running in the 90s so are not blown.
Canon EOS 50D, 500/4, 1.4 tcII = 700mm
capture date: Saturday, 2 May, 2009 5:02 PM
exposure program: Aperture Priority
ISO speed: 640
shutter speed: 1/1000
aperture: f7.1
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: ON, beamer, - 1 2/3 (probably didn't need it!)
A good job on exposure on a tough bird to expose well. You mentioned the whites, and still maintained pretty good detail in the blacks.
Sharp, good head angle.
From a comp. standpoint, I might like just a bit more on the bottom. I usually don't like a lot of empty water, but think just a smidge more if you please. The only other comment would be the water isn't quite as exciting as you would like, a rather dull color. I know, thats what it was, but in a perfect world, maybe a bit more flattering color?
Thanks for sharing. Yours may be shy, I just don't seem them here, so I do appreciate seeing yours.
Lovely low angle, and well exposed on the wing, and head. Having said that, I find the back of the head in shadow, but I think that is due to the slight head turn towards you. I like the eye, and it stands out nicely against the darker plumage.