The Obligatory Duck Shot

[Eric Patdu]

Hello all,

Haven't posted for a while because of the winter. I have acquired a new lens and here is the obligatory duck shot.

C&C are most welcome.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) L 23"
Shooting Info: February 17, 2011, Canon XSi + EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200, -1.0 exposure compensation, 7.65m, hand held

[James Alexander]

Eric-Very nice feather detail, complimentary BG, I like how it fills the frame with just enough space for me--well done! Alex

[Eric Patdu]

Thanks for the comments James.

[pat lillich]

Eric, really beautiful crisp colors and detail and that wet snow background is wonderful.

[Gordon McKechnie]

Lovely colours, exposure and sharpness. If I wanted to be fussy I might ask for a bit more canvas on the right, and if the HA was turned just a tad more towards the camera I think it would have been even more lovely.

[Julie Kenward]

Eric, nicely done! Love the intense orange of those legs - they are awesome, aren't they?

I don't think it's a head angle problem but a bird angle - the head and beak really look fine - they are just in the back because of the body turn. If you had moved another step or two to the right you probably could have gotten the bird square to the camera sensor and elminated the body turn but, again, it's a minor thing.

I do think the contrast is a bit high - the darks feel super dark here to me. Might let up on it just a bit if this were one of mine.

[Eric Patdu]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Will keep those in mind on my future composition and PP as well.