I thought I would experiment by creating a high key image, but still leaving the ripples visible. Some may want a tighter crop, But I liked the vastness of empty space.
Stuart, I love the vast empty space but might take a small slice off the back if it were mine. I love the way the head blends into the background- it leaves a little to the imagination. Nice OOTB thinking!!
I might have given the waves a little more detail and cropped a little, maintaining the position of the duck, only to increase the size of the duck in the image. I do like the openess of it, but the duck is a little small for my tastes. But your image ... your vision.
I see what you were going for Stuart, its your vision as Mark said....but I'd vote for the duck being a bit bigger....the high key effect works well. Well done
I love your use of negative space here, Stuart. It works very well, though I think I would make the ripples a bit darker so they stand out more. Very nicely done.
Stuart, I think this works so much better in the repost with the duck more prominent, and the slightly more apparent texture in the water. For me it still has the feel of vast spaces, and loneliness. Well done.
Excellent idea and execution, Stuart. I like the original for the OOTB thinking. The negative unbound space leaves the viewer to different interpretation. The repost works well too... nicely done.