Yesterday I went out hoping to do some waterfowl in flight shooting. But along the shore of Lake Ontario the fog had moved in and the lighting was very low. After looking around a bit I found this fairly sheltered spot where diving ducks, including this Red-breasted Merganser, had found some bounty of the waters and were busy diving and chasing each other around. So I was able to get quite close and find a nice low position for the camera and do some shooting. The high key look was entirely what the camera was looking at - no added effects and no flash. I have one or two shots with a head angle more toward me but it changed the lighting on the head and didn't look as nice as this one. Cropped small amount for composition, very basic curves and sharpening. All C&C welcome!
Canon Mark IV, 500mm f/4L +1.4x III, ISO:800, f/5.6@1/800, Manual, AI Servo AF, evaluative metering
Love the look, the low angle, and the image design. The head angle is fine. A bit of fill flash can give these a bit more pop.
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Nice story to go along with the photo. Always nice to hear what was encountered at the moment of capture. I like the high key look here. Nice detail throughout and sharpness.
Love the low angle and the high key look. Sharpness is a bit of a mixed bag: I'd apply a little extra sharpening to the long head feathers. I'd also like to see a bit more contrast in the bird.
I really like this shot. Agree about a bit more contrast. I like how the water is being pushed forward ahead of the bird. No one has mentioned this but does it need a degree or two of CW rotation? A keeper for sure
Gail
I love this image! I'm fan of high-key and this one works as presented, including the contrast (I know the popular consensus is for more here and I'm sure it would work nicely, but it looks good to my personal taste).
Thanks everyone. The comments received provide valuable feedback. I had actually processed a version with higher contrast and didn't like it as well - it seemed to block up the details, especially on the side of the head. Of course, I there may be ways of doing it better than my current skills permit, and maybe some selective added contrast could work. I kind of like the "flatter" (the light was very flat) appearance of the posted version, but I will certainly go back and try a few of the suggested options to see how it affect the outcome. Comments much appreciated!
I like the brightness and I like the low contrast. Northern light can be subtle and reveals a different look to a bird (particularly one such as this with mid browns and greys).
Wonderful image and I like creating high keys images.
Bill looks fine to me and I really like how the color offsets the water.
I agree with Artie that at times in high key photos, a bit of fill helps BUT...any fog or mist at all IMHO and it picks it up and really takes away from the potential.
Merganser in the mist
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