Autumn Woodie - Drake

[Randy Stout]

Another one from last weekend. The colors were so nice in small patches, and the trick was to try and catch them in those areas. I got lucky a few times.

D700 600VR with 1.4 f/7.1 1/1600 ISO 800 Gitzo, flat on the stone, SB900 with beamer

Post: CS5 selective sharpening, minor water clean up, removed second catchlight

This is full frame. The interaction of the natural light and flash gave some wonderful texture to the water. The bow wake was particularly interesting. No post processing done there at all.

Wish I had gone to a smaller f/stop for more DOF. Could have traded a bit of shutter speed for DOF, doubt if I could have gotten the entire bird in focus at this angle and mag. however.

As always, appreciate your advice and comments.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

The water is just exceptional in these Randy. Sets off the woodie really well.

[Ken Watkins]

Randy,

This is a remarkably beautiful bird, the colours are stunning, as for the BG what a beauty!

The effect that the ripples have had on the reflection is unfortunate but not a deal breaker for me, as my eye is drawn to the subject by that eye

[arash_hazeghi]

sweet light and BG, I am not crazy about reflection however especially the head with double eye reflection makes it look kind of goofy. perhaps you could crop tighter and get rid of the head reflections?

[Brendon Cremer]

super stunning image, so very well captured with wonderful colours

[MohsenVahedipour]

Very lovely image indeed. perfectly exposed with nice water colors. It looks like a hard bird to be exposed perfectly?

[Karl Egressy]

Nice angle, colours and composition, Randy.

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, great use of flash, and in turn, you have brought out the colours very well. Once again, I like the texture and colour of the water. Well captured.

[Chris Kotze]

Super colours and excellent detail. Great image

[Robert Holguin]

Real nice shot. Love those colors in the water. Great pose and detail.
Well done.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree with you about the great water!! I also like the sheen on the duck's head. I'm almost always bummed when I get a great pose but a double eye reflection...not a deal breaker here however.

[Josh Clark]

Great job on this Woodie Randy. You are right about the glimpses of fantastic water color. Keeping an eye on the Wood Ducks and knowing when they were going to cross into that golden reflection from the trees. I love the water color and lighting on this guy. What really catches my eye is how there is almost a natural vinegette going on here. The edges of the water color drop off and are darker then the water color the duck is in. Almost makes him look like he is in a spotlight. Looking at the photo quickly, my eye draws right to the duck. Nice one.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. I thought the water color was so nice that I didn't want to crop tight. Agree about the double eye reflection, but I looked at the picture so long that I didn't see it anymore!
I might try a version with the reflection toned down just a bit, may reduce its impact.

I guess I had better work on something else for a while

Cheers

Randy

[Gary Esman]

Randy, beautiful water here. Really like the mystical way it looks in the image. Great light angle. Was the focus point on the breast? Looks a little sharper than the eye.

Gary.

[Randy Stout]

Gary:

I went back and checked, and the focus box was touching the bottom of the eye. I think perhaps its that old wood duck red eye/bleeds a bit, doesn't look quite as sharp deal!

Cheers

Randy

[Gary Esman]

Gary:

I went back and checked, and the focus box was touching the bottom of the eye. I think perhaps its that old wood duck red eye/bleeds a bit, doesn't look quite as sharp deal!

Cheers

Randy

Yeah I remember talking about that. Makes taking shots of them even more difficult and gives a reason to go back.

Gary.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Randy! I am enjoying this series.

[Raul Padilla]

beatifull colors, the bkg is like oil painting, great, i not like 2 eyes effect in the reflect