What a beautiful image, I have been to Algonquin and it is a special place. I love the colors of the water and the adult in the picture looks to be a great example. At f 5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/60 I can see you were up against it in terms of the light. I have had that equipment set up in the past and felt comfortable going to ISO 800 or even 1200 without the noise getting in the way too much. That might have allowed a slightly smaller opening to bring the chick into focus. That said, quite good to get such a shot at 1/60th
Beautiful scene, one that comes to mind when I think of Algonquin Park (or any other "northern lake"). The chick is an excellent bonus, especially that its' bill is on this side of the parent's neck. In any other case I would have found the subject(s) too close to the bottom, but here I love the extra room above to showcase the beautiful colours and patterns in the water. Still abit tight left and right IMO. I'd also be tempted to experiment with a slightly warmer WB and apply an extra round of sharpening to the chick - but very pleasant as is!!
I would have liked to add a little more to the sides but then it adds to much of the white water and it threw the colors in the image out of balance.
And it seems to make the chick disappear into the image .
But a little bit more sharpening on the chick would help.
Cheers,
Michael
Last edited by Michael Bertelsen; 05-31-2011 at 03:53 PM.
Also love the scene, a great moment with mother and son and great colors too. Agree with Daniel, a bit more of sharp in the chick. IMHO this image needs more room on every side, and a central composition, with more room on the right...
very nice,the colors in the water are magic,and the chick on the birds back is a bonus,I agree with the others,about more room left and right sides.thanks.
Lots of good discussion above. Lovely water color, excellent pose, well exposed, pretty sharp on the adult at this shutter speed.
I shoot a D300 and a D700, and would have pushed the D300 up to ISO 800 to try and get a bit more aperture flexibility here. I am assuming you were in a boat?
Might be interesting to see the uncropped original to see what you have to work with.
I was out in Northern Michigan last weekend. Cold, rainy, birds pretty quiet. One pair on the nest (stayed a long way away, viewed with binoculars). Our chicks normally come out in early June, but concerned that they may be a bit behind this year.