Splish-Splash!

[Conrad Tan]

Went to a local preserve that usually has no entry fee due to some state budget cuts, but found a groundskeeper at the gate. He asked for the usual $5 fee. I hesitated for a second, then paid, now really hoping to find something to take home worth the $5 fee! This is what I got :D:D:D

Canon 7D
500mm f/4.0
ISO800
1/1600s
Shutter Priority
Around noon, high wind, harsh mid-day light
Post Processing: Heavy Highlight recovery, Heavy Fill light, slight contrast, slight sharpening, Heavy noise removal

[Randy Stout]

Conrad:

Very tough lighting conditions, but I think you made the most of it.
I love the flaring pattern of drops off the back. Nice shooting angle.

I would clone out the bright specular reflections on the bird bath, try to lighten the throat, and eye a bit more.

Fill flash would have helped even out the illumination.

I think you got your $5 worth.

Randy

[denise ippolito]

Good points by Randy, I might sharpen the face area a bit. Nice action captured and si is the low angle.

[Alfred Forns]

H Conrad Agree with comments and can add a couple more !!

Would also darken the back of the bird to bring out the pretty colors, shutter speed wise would have try a much lower (for bathing birds) ... water drops look frozen at those higher speeds and if you use flash (would be great) it would not reach !! .. btw the PS tweaks will be easy to do and you have come up with a good one !!! .. btw for all the PS work the image still looks good, more often than not those heroics make them look even worse !! Congrats !!!

[Ilija Dukovski]

Not much to add to above comment, I'd mention that I really like
the arrangement of the water drops.

[Trivedi Vatsal]

Amazing shot!! I liked the water droplets in BG & the mood of the bird & the image is also too good!!