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Thread: Red head drake

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    Default Red head drake

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    There's a McDonald's near where I live with a pond behind it that is home to a few red head pairs in the winter. A low angle is not possible at this location due to a retaining wall, but I still enjoy photographng them once or twice each winter. How does the sharpenng look? I'm wondering if I need a bit more on the feathers by his bill. Thanks for your opinions.

    1/250, f10, ISO800
    Canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + tripod

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    What a lovely species and portrait you have here. The feathers look nice and sharp...not sure about the eye being sharp enough. Will have to defer to someone with a better eye. I love the waterdrop and you have a nice HA.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Thanks, Marina. The eye in the raw file is tack, you can see the small feathers right on the edge, so maybe it needs a bit more for this presentation. I did burn the pupil as the light was flat and as a result the catchlight was diffuse. Appreciate your input.

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    Nicely made. I agree that you should try adding a bit of sharpness between eye and bill.

    How'd you get so close? Out west this species is extremely skittish - -you can't get this close.

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    Thanks for your input, Don. This pair of red heads has lived in the McDonald's pond for years and is very accustomed to people. I'll post the hen tomorrow...I have a friend who is really knowledgeable about ducks and he says she is very old.

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    Grace, awesome shot. terrific details. I think the high shooting angle works here due to the ripples. Redheads are pretty much impossible to get close to here.

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    A great shot of a beautiful bird. I really like the ripples & the water droplet on the duck's bill. I think the detail is excellent & I really like the visible hint of a foot. Well captured.
    Andrew

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    You did well in a difficult (high) situation. I darkened the pupil and sharpened the bird selectively with a 13/60 contrast mask using a Hide-All mask. Like the image design.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Thanks, Artie, Your work gave it just the pop it was missing. Appreciate you taking the time.

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    You are most welcome. Packing for a month in Japan as we speak :)
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

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    Have a blast!

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    Nicely composed, and exposed, Grace. Excellent details, and nice job getting close to this one. Artie's repost does give it more pop. Very nice image.

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    Wow!! Beautiful image. Love the head angle, excellent detail, and very nice comp.
    Well done.

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    Marvelous image with great details.

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