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Thread: Low angle long tail duck

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    Default Low angle long tail duck

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    After photographing these beautiful ducks from a jetty and wishing for a lower angle, I went to my car, donned my waders and into the churning LI Sound I went. Probably the hardest shooting I've ever done as the sound was rough, I was struggling against the undertow and the ducks were actually mostly too close. Plus sometimes when a big wave came I had to lift up my rig quickly. But these are the conditions that they feed in. I was afraid to take off my tele converter as the situation was precarious at best. Did get a few keepers, this is one I consider in that category. I do want your opinion on the bg. Have one that is smoother, but I felt that this told the story of the churning water better.

    Thanks as always for your comments!

    1/1250, f 5.6 ISO800
    Canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + 1/4tc + tripod

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    takes me right into the water with you and duck. liked it a lot. nice details, subject placement and wave action.

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    how fantastic, Grace. Those colors are to die for, both of the duck and the sea. I can't believe you were in there, looks so rough! Good on ya, your hard work paid off. Excellent exposure, beautiful detail, and exquisite light! I love this.

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    Grace, I think it's terrific. It looks way too rough to be out in waders with all that expensive equipment, but the result is a very intimate, well made image of a beautiful bird doing its thing. Congratulations! (Especially for getting the image without losing your gear :)

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    BPN Member jack williamson's Avatar
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    The BG is fine. The placement on the wave is awesome, beautifully exposed, beautifully sharp.

    Jack

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Grace,
    The duck is beautifully exposed, right down to the feather detail on the breast. i really like the water droplets on his back and the depression in the water he creates. I appreciate your desire to convey the roughness of the water but I find the slope of the water wave quite steep and distracting. I mentally want to rotate the image CCW.
    You definitely get bonus points for getting into the water in these conditions!
    Gail

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    My hat is off to you, Grace. I understand why you chose this image. It conveys the story so well, and I really like the comp just as is. The light is terrific, and I like the sudsy feeling to the water and the droplets on the duck's back. Proud of you for donning your waders and taking the plunge. Glad you didn't take the other plunge. I don't blame you one bit for not taking off your TC. I made the same good decision yesterday morning!
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Grace, I agree with Gail. There is nothing not to like here as far as IQ, DOF and composition. But the appearance to me, is that it needs to rotated.
    Dan Kearl

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    Dan and Gail, the reality of this image is that the water and the way that the duck was swimming in it was not level. I do have an image that I'll post next that you two will like better.

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    I like this one, Grace. The bird is well exposed, sharp, and stands out from the blue environment. I also like the water droplets on the bird. Like some, I also feel a CCW rotation is needed, but as you mentioned it wasn't level.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your shooting conditions, and as such, I wouldnt change a thing. The 'sloping' placement gives me the impression that he's just about to stand up onto a wave to surf - great. Excellent exposure and sharpness on the little guy, and I do like the foamy bubbles surrounding the duck. Love the droplets on his back too. Well captured.
    Last edited by Stu Bowie; 03-03-2012 at 11:54 AM.

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    Grace, I would not touch it. This image just screams what these birds are, sea ducks, and you did a wonderful job of capturing it in their rough habitat.
    That's one of the reason to be so impressed with these guys, they look so perfect living and diving in such a rough habitat.

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    Great image under challenging conditions Grace! I like the exposure, sharpness, details and composition.

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    I love the bg and the waving moving water I almost feel seasick LOL. Gotta love those waders that is as long as you don't go down. I had a rare opportunity at one of these this past few weeks of course when I was having trouble with my focus issue which is finally straightened out so I hope to get back out and get her again. I hope to get one as nice as all three of you girls got and I'd be happy!

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    Wow!!! Excellent image. Exposed very well, excellent detail, love the light, great foamy water, and great comp. I have no problem with the background.
    Very well done.

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