Loon revival

[Randy Stout]

With all the nice loon pictures recently, it made me go back and look at my images from summertime.

This juvi was floating serenely on a back bay in Northern Michigan. I liked the dramatic side lighting and the texture it brought out in the feathers.

Interesting choice here on how to handle the reflection. Normally I don't keep poor quality reflections, but it seemed to fit with the overall image here. Appreciate folks thoughts on that, as well as the pros and cons of the single large ripple.

Nikon D700 500mm f/4 at f/6.3 with 1.4 TC ISO 500 Manual exp Pedestal mounted in Loonie Too

Post: ACR, PS5 20% crop for comp

Thanks for advice and comments!

Cheers

Randy

[Krijn Trimbos]

Hi randy,

I love the monotomous colours of the bird on the black water. Nice detail and headturn. I would be tempted to take a smidge more of the top and tone down the whites on the bill and the cheeck a bit more. Well done here!

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, I know how you enjoy your Loon's, and I can see why you like this image. Lovely calm water, super pose with a good HA. Excellent detail throughout. With regards to the reflection and comp, I feel you have worked it out perfectly. Enough space at the bottom, so the reflection is fine as is. Did you darken the BG above the waterline. Looks great as is, as it makes the Loon stand out so well.

[Charles Scheffold]

I love the dark background on this, and the reflection gives an interesting feel to the photo. Not distracting at all. HA is nice and engaging. Simple and to the point.

Charles

[Randy Stout]

Thanks guys:

Krijn: I did tone down the highlights a bit already, but will look at the areas you mentioned
Stuart: No selective work on the background, just being in the right place at the right time (luck - well, maybe a little preparation too :p)

Charles: Sometimes simple works the best for me.


Cheers

Randy

[Andrew McLachlan]

Randy, I love how this juvi stands out against the dark background. I think the reflection and ripple are fine i this image. Although it is natural, I might be tempted to clean-up the bright line running through the eye in the reflection.

[Jim Fenton]

Really like this Randy.....love the serenity and the contrast with the dark background :)

[Doug Brown]

Love the low angle and the dark BG. Head angle is great. And the pano crop works well. I see detail in the whites behind the bill but I'd like to see them toned down just a little.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the dark BG and the smooth water. I would remove the straight white line in the reflection as well. Nice image Randy!

[denise ippolito]

Randy, Gorgeous image. I love the steel gray look to this and the dramatic lighting. I agree w/ comments regarding the whites. Very nicely presented.

[Gary Esman]

Awesome shot Randy! Excellent low angle. Your making me think about my boat with these shots. You had to be close to eye level. Very dramatic. TFS.

Gary.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks again everyone for the input.

I went back and toned down the cheek whites again, removed the eye streak in the reflection and did a minor crop from above.

Cheers

Randy

[Charles Scheffold]

Honestly, I like the crop of the original better... but still, this is a great image that I would be proud to have!

Charles