Taken today at Lake Biggins, Newport News, VA. Sony A700, 70-400G @400mm, f5.6, 1/2500, iso800, -0.3ec. PP in PSE8, levels, curves, usm
This is the closest I have gotten to this species. this one had spotted me and is retreating.
I was shooting towards the sun which was behind some clouds. I toned down the water and some highlights in the left side of the duck. I really like the backlit hood.
I think it is a very nice capture. However, for me, I would crop of about a 1/4" from the top and a little less off the bottom, just my preference. My eyes are not that good, maybe a bit of noise in BG that I ran noiseware on.
Last edited by Gus Hallgren; 12-11-2010 at 08:19 AM.
My first reply I showed OP photo, tried to remove post, however, all I could remove was photo. Probably a way to remove post, but I;m in the dark there.
Have never seen that bird in the flesh yet. Very attractive.
Peter, I think you did well with the exposure on this guy. They are usually difficult. I like Gus' repost and think that the eye pops a bit more. I might tone down the bright area (that seems a bit brighter in the re post) on the left side of the duck. Nicely done.
I also like the repost - the only other thing I'm noticing is that it might need just a tiny bit of CW rotation - the right side of the bird feels a little bit higher than the left. I like the backlit hood, too...nice pose and what a beautiful specimen!
Hooded Merganser (m)
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