Majestic Swan

[Stu Bowie]

This was taken at a local spot near Pretoria. I feel I have recovered the whites well enough in this.

Canon 50D
100-400 L IS USM @ 400mm
1/2000
F/6.3
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held

[Doug Brown]

I think the whites look fine Stuart. I like the low angle and the pano crop. DOF is quite good for f/6.3. I only wish I could see the eye a little better.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Whites look Ok to me too. Agree with Doug about the eye.

I am uncertain about the composition. The birds head/neck position isn't the most flattering, and the birds body is fairly centered. Somehow the overall effect doesn't quite work for me.

I will think about it, and if I can articulate my impressions better, will get back to you!

Randy

[Juan Aragonés]

You did a very good job on the whites. Love the panoramic composition and I only can ask for a better head turn. Good job

[David Thomasson]

Feather details and white balance in the brightest feathers are spot-on. I like the "over the shoulder" head position; seems to be keenly aware of you, though you must have been a good way off.

The only edit I would make is to brighten and "wash" the head and neck a little to bring more attention to that watchful eye.
(I'm not suggesting this crop. Just cropped to keep animated gif small.)

[Chris Kotze]

Great angle well captured and exposed

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

David's idea is right on.
Lovely bird. If it were mine I would lighten the BG a tad. The whites looks fine on my monitor.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Exposure control, details and pose look good, I only find the bird a bit centered in the frame.

[Dave Barnes]

I agree with David on the lighter neck and think that a tighter crop could work. (Almost like the correction posted by Dave)

[Kobus Tollig]

I think you did great here. Ditto head but still great

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Beautiful image. The deep blue waters and the pose makes it. I like the original as presented.

Szimi

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the kind words. Much appreciated.