Pintail Squadron

[Ian Cassell]

Canon 7D
Canon EF400mm f/5.6L
1/1000sec f/6.3 ISO 800 HH

S/H and Sharpening in CS5

Some clouds would be nice, but I take what I can get in the Arizona sunshine.

[Julie Kenward]

There's some great detail here, Ian! I love the wingspread and good job getting separation and a nice HA from each of the ducks. The comp feels very strong - nice balance between the negative space and the birds. I think this is one of my favorites that you've done in ETL!

[Ian Cassell]

Thanks, Jules. The very bland sky bothered me and I wasn't sure how it would go over.

[Sid Garige]

Very nice image Ian. Like the comp and excellent placment of subjects.

[Ian Cassell]

Thanks, Sid. I paid them to fly like that :)

[Craig Wallace]

I agree with everyone, this is an excellent image, wish it were mine. TFS.
Craig

[Ben_Sadd]

It is great to have all three in focus, and the separation is good. The chestnut heads really stand out nicely.

I get the impression of a very slight halo around the birds, but it could just be my screen.

[James Shadle]

Very nice image. Tough to get good head angles and no overlapping wings.

I also noticed the halo Ben mentioned.

Was this a large crop? The ducks look soft, almost noise reduction smooth.
It looks like you could pull more detail out with a little more USM.
A fast way is Smart USM using a background layer. Multiple passes (2-3) at 40 - .3 - 0
If it's too much just use the opacity slider to reduce it.

[pat lillich]

oh they are beautiful --- the curve of the front one's neck especially. wonderful capture - i wish it was mine too!

[Peter Farrell]

Excellent capture, Ian. Nice separation, HA's and wing position. I think I might have de-saturated and lightened the sky some.
Peter