been trying to hone my technique so went down the lake today with my new 70-300 VR and was looking to do some test firing. The light went from good to ok to bad to ok and was always changing lol
Well i submit a portrait i was quite happy with. Liked the way the light worked on the neck and the water drop lets
C&C welcomed as always, help me to improve!
D2x
70-300 VR @ 300mm
ISO 160
1/250
F6.3
Sharpened and curves in PS
Very nice. I find that with male mallards that I must take many shots has he moves his head and the sun angle varies and the brilliant green head changes colors. You mention that you used curves and the color of the water and bill make me think that you used some green tint. If that's true, you should have only done it to the feathers.
You've got good eye contact, but it would have been nice to have his head turned a little more to the camera. Like I said, take lots of images to get the sun and head angle right in a few. +1EV might help recover more detail in the dark area to the front of his face.
Still, that's a nice shot, with good overall impact.
Hi Peter, The image has a number of good qualities. Low angle and the HA seems ok to me. The image is sharp with the droplets adding interest to the image. I might take a small bit off the top....
Hi Peter Big Congrats on your new lens, great performer !!!
... good comments David !!! About the only thing I would not recommend is the plus one EV for the shadow detail, you are correct it needs more light but the neck area is already over !! For these the light hitting the duck is the key.... need light hitting the duck evenly. Can watch through the viewfinder how it changes with every move !!
Peter do you remember the compensation used? Overall it looks a little dark and not sure what went on with the original !! Do need soft light for these guys ... overcast day would be ideal !!
The camera was at 0 ev on this one as it was part of a manic half hour sequence, including a very nice moorhen that Im going to put up tomorrow.
I took maybe 15-20 pics of the male mallards and I can totally understand the changing conditions even with its head moving 1 or 2 degrees, I think i might have had slightly better balanced ones however i really liked the water droplets on the head which made me pic this one.
I have a 300 F4 on order to compliment this VR (waiting on the mail lol!) and am frantically saving for a 70-200 VR as well, but heh can only afford so much!
Mallard
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