Northern Shovler - take off

[Enrique Patino]

7D, Av, partial metering, EC +1, 300mm F/4, 400 ISO, 1/1600

Besided head angle, what can be improved on a photograph of this sort? Your feedback is appreciated

[Kerry Perkins]

Hello Enrique, there's a lot to like about this image! Good placement in the frame, nice background, and the water drops are a bonus. As to what would make it better, (other than the head angle ) I would say a better wing angle. The front wing is very flat, and if it were more in the downward position you would have a nicer display of the plumage. Could be a taste sharper too, but you did a good job with the panning. Some of the whites are a little hot and could be toned down a little. Nice capture!

[Enrique Patino]

Thanks for your comments and feedback Kerry.

I did run at least one (maybe two) linear burns on the whites, but... not enough?

As for the front wing, I agree... it is flat. But what I like is that you can see the 3D of the blue feathers (is there a specific name for these feathers in this region of the wing?)

I guess I could clone (of fill) the white spot by the eye as well...

[Kerry Perkins]

Enrique, those colorful feathers seen on some ducks is called the speculum.

[Enrique Patino]

Thanks again for the anatomy lesson...

I've been trying to photograph this bird for a few months. I have other photos of this bird that are perhaps more in line with what is preferred here. Will wait a while and post again.

I even had a typo on the title of this thread...

BTW, what would you suggest to tone down the whites?

[Kerry Perkins]

BTW, what would you suggest to tone down the whites?

Enrique, it depends on how they were captured. The best thing is to get them right in the camera. Did you shoot in RAW mode? If so, you can go back to your conversion program and lower the exposure by a third of a stop maybe. If this is a jpeg from the camera, the best you can do is tone down the overall level of those areas in PS or other program by using the burn tool or sponge tool. Too much toning down ends up giving your whites a "dingy gray" look, so you can only fix so much in post.