In the mud

[wendell westfall]

D90 70-200VR+2X@250 1/2500 f/6.3 ISO1600 0EV monopod

Early (6:30 AM) one morning last week I found four mallards sifting through very soft mud searching for food. I thought this image of one of the hens (I believe) told the story pretty well. I should have used a bit of minus EV to tame the whites, but the Recovery slider in LR3 helped a lot. Other adjustments and a crop were pretty minimal. Yes, mallards are common, but I like their looks -- male and female . . . Is the contrast OK, or should I have gone darker . . . or?

Wendell

[Jeff Cashdollar]

wendell, I like this one. You used the camera to tell a story, it is simple and direct. Contrast looks good on my monitor.

[Bob Miller]

Wendall...You might consider darkening the bottom mud to add some weight and general contrast to the frame....just a thought!

[nancy hazen]

She's loving that mud. I wonder if you brought up the midtones just a touch that would add a bit.
Great behavioral shot though. That pose makes it look like she's smiling.
Nancy

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Wendell, good capture but if you were a little bit to the right the angle would be better. I do believe the contrast is a bit much but would prefer to use curves or levels to correct as opposed to contrast and brightness. Much more flexibility in either one, and you might consider adding some black to the blacks and grays with selective color.

[wendell westfall]

Thanks to all . . .