Northern Pintail

[Dave Leroy]

This fellow was friendly enough to climb up on the bank to sit and watch me, so I took his picture. Although taken as a portrait, it is cropped. I also cleaned up the bill some.
50D, 1/320, EC=2/3, ISO400, 500mm at 5.6.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, good light and and detail on the head and beak, and nice and sharp too. Comp wise, I would move him back to the left a bit and give him more room on the right. As the wing falls out of the DOF, I would maybe take a bit off the bottom too. What do you think?

[Xristos Zo]

I really like the detail especially the head feathers, nice shot.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the eye contact, light and BG. I might have stopped down a bit more.

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Dave. Very nice detail in the head and I like the even light. I would tend to agree with Stuart about the crop - I would suggest taking about 1/2 inch off the left and adding a similar amount on the right. You might also tone down the brightest parts of the background along the right edge and under the bill. :)

[Dave Leroy]

Good ideas guys and thanks. I'll have a look over the weekend. Perhaps off the bottom to just above the dirty breast, off the left and add a bit to the right.
I had also wondered about the bright grass just under and above bill.
In hindsight Axel, it seemed like a good opportunity to try some different camera settings. I will keep it in mind for next time.
Dave

[Markus Jais]

Great portrait with perfect sharpness. I like the head angle. I only wish for a little more room at the right.

Markus