A first for me - Redhead

[Daniel Cadieux]

This was my first time seeing one of these guys, let alone photograph one. Unfortunately it wasn't in prime breeding plumage, but hey, you them the way they are for the first sighting! I did allow close approach with many beautiful portrait opportunities, but I rather like the looser (and a bit unconventional) comp in this one.

It has apparently been there for about a week at this location, so now lets hope it hangs out until freezing and that this is enough time for it to acquire the beautiful plumage it is named for!

Canon 40D + 100-400L @365mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, (settings histogram checked) 1/320s., f/6.3, ISO 800, natural light, handheld lying flat on my stomach, slight crop for comp (~85% FF)

[Arthur Morris]

Love the low in the frame off-centered comp with most of the wake behind the bird. Nice job on they eyes and teh EXP. What AF sensor did you use?

[Mike Tracy]

The eyes have it. Nice smooth background with just the right mix of differing colors.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

I really like the low angle,eye contact,pose...colors!!!

[Paul Lagasi]

Very nice capture..I've never seen one in Ottawa, would love to add this to my list...Where??
Nice Low angle and exposure..eyes to die for...TFS

[Bill Dix]

Very handsome, Daniel. I'm jealous; I've yet to get one of these guys. I like the comp, great eye contact and gorgeous background.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very nice capture..I've never seen one in Ottawa, would love to add this to my list...Where??
Nice Low angle and exposure..eyes to die for...TFS

Hey Paul, this was at Andrew Haydon Park (east pond). It associates with Mallards (what else!) and comes right to shore with a bit of patience. It came within MFD a few times. Tough to get a low angle at this place - I may still have a kink in my neck from that session and my clothing needed washing ASAP!:D

BTW, there was also a female there with him on Saturday morning...

[Stu Bowie]

Good eye contact, tack sharp, and your angle of capture makes this work so well. I like the space you have left Dan.

[Stephen Stephen]

Very nice image Dan. I love the green BG, the low angle and the intense eyes.

Thanks for the tip on this pair. I too was able to get close to them on Sunday but winds and rain made for very low light and poor image making .

[Andrew Merwin]

Daniel, I like the BG & the head-on approach of the duck coming toward you. The water droplets on its back are a plus. The exposure looks right on. The perspective, which is great, seems to put you in the water. Were you?

[Daniel Cadieux]

What AF sensor did you use?

Artie, sorry I missed your question!

I used the far right sensor point. Using other than the centre point is something I've been trying more lately - although I'm still more comfortable with the focus/recompose technique)

The perspective, which is great, seems to put you in the water. Were you?

Thanks Andrew! No I wasn't in the water...but lying down with my head lower than my feet on a wet and sloping bank I almost found myself sliding in a couple of times! :-)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Beautiful Dan, I can only echo the comments above...but what type of duck is it??? :o

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful Dan, I can only echo the comments above...but what type of duck is it??? :o

Thank you Nicki! The name is the same as in the title...simply Redhead:cool:

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Ahhh...thanks Dan!! :D

[Arthur Morris]

Dan, From Pane #2: What AF sensor did you use?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Artie, answer on pane #11:)

[Arthur Morris]

Artie, answer on pane #11:)

Ooops. Thanks Dan. Far right one on the row in the middle on the bird's head with a small crop from the bottom?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes. Cropped on three sides to retain aspect ratio (but mostly bottom).

[Doug Brown]

Like the low angle, eye contact, and composition. When I photograph ducks on the water, I move my focus point around quite a bit in an attempt to compose in camera.

[Arthur Morris]

Yes. Cropped on three sides to retain aspect ratio (but mostly bottom).

Thanks. The resulting COMP is perfect.

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

Well seen and captured. Techs covered. Eyes are great. We often get Redheads in Michigan, but I haven't seen one for a year or so. Hopefully they will put in an appearance this fall.

PS: Think Florida!

Randy

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I really like the placement of the duck Daniel. The soft light and bokeh as well as eye contact make this work beautifully. When you say you like the reframe technique, are you using One Shot AF mode? I often now use other than the central AF point myself, but practically all my daytime outings I use AI-Servo focus.

[Daniel Cadieux]

When you say you like the reframe technique, are you using One Shot AF mode?

Hey Akos, thanks a ton! As for your question - yes, but not One Shot AF mode :-) I have my camera CF set to focus with my thumb on the * button at the back of the camera. I have the camera on AI-Servo full-time because that is what I prefer but with this method if I want to lock focus I simply let go of that button...and then recompose the image. BTW, with this method when the shutter button is half depressed it also locks metering so when recomposing it does not change that either.

[Craig Brelsford]

I appreciate the low angle, Dan! I appreciate what you went through to get that low angle.

[Myer Bornstein]

Very excellent great eye contact, sharp. I am glad you posted this, since the only redhead ducks I have seen are in color. now I know how to ID them in other seasons