yet another duck photo, still from the same session as last time, so again I suppose the problem with the harsh midday shadows would be one point of criticism. But what do you think about the composition, and generally? Better to have it face me directly? Grass obscuring it too much? Head too dark?
Nikon D80, 18-200VR at 150mm, ISO 200, 1/640s at f/5.6
yep, looks like the sun was directly overhead casting some shadows on the neck and missing the eye. is that water running down concrete that is intersecting the bill? that is a little distracting. the composition is different and i kind of like it. i like the way grass frames his head, but you need to leave room in the frame for his virtual feet and tail.
One thing to point out is the sun angle Moving to your right the shadow would have been eliminated and the face fully lit !!! Composition wise would have tried a lower angle and finding space between the grass Images make looking down generally do not work very well Exposure is good and you made a very sharp image.
Biggest suggestion is finding better light With harsh light you might be able to find some in the shade !!!
I think the grass takes away from the composition, and agree with Harold regarding the water running down the concrete.
And as Al pointed out, exposure and sharpness are very good.
Regards,
again thanks for your comments and input, I will definitely try that next time (unfortunately this weekend it seems like the weather is going to be bad :( ).
As a sidenote... this is not concrete in the background, it is acutally sort of a sandy beach (if you can call it that being by a stream), and a "mini-wave" just coming in :)
I really hope to see some more interesting birds sometime soon as well... only problem is with my 18-200 I dont have that much reach, so I cant really get in closely... in that regards the ducks are much easier.
You brought up a good point about 'ducks are much easier'. When I first started out,
ducks would be my primary objective.
This is what I do when it comes to ducks...
When I first arrive at a pond, I decide on the best place to setup based on the sun.
Then I stay there. Even if all of the ducks are on the other side, I don't go there cause
I know I'd just be wasting my time because the light will be wrong.
If your area allows it, bring some food. I put regular old bird food in a plastic baggie.
Then dip into that if needed. If no food is allowed, some times just making the motion
of throwing food will be enough to get the ducks to start swimming your way.
If the ducks swim away, once again, stay put. Cause chances are good that the ducks
will return. They're pretty repetitive in that regards. Just have to be patient.
Also, watch the current. At times the duck just likes to let the current take them to
wherever its going.
BTW, when I say to stay put, I mean in that general area, where the light is good.
thanks for your tips, hopefully the weather will be fine tmw, so I can try it out! And yes, I will bring some food for them as well... try to control them a bit :)
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