Ah, folks...allow me to submit a wood duck hen for you. This is a photo from last summer that I recently found. Among the last photos I took with my cheapo but effective Nikon D90 & 70-300VR. Taken at 230mm, iso400, 1/400, f7. The image has been given a slight levels tweak & usm. I don't normally take portraits like this, and certainly I have many other full-duck shots, but there are a few things about this shot that appeal to me and I would sincerely appreciate your comments and suggestions. Taken at one of our local duckponds at the lowest possible angle; I even annoy myself mentioning this! Many thanks for having a look...
Nice subtle colors showing, sharp, drops, all good.
The crop aggravates the impression of shooting down on the bird, and if you don't have any more room below, I would def. consider cropping down from the top, which changes the impression of looking down so much on the bird.
Her head is turned slightly away, and I would try to recover some details in the whites on the neck.
Randy, your comments are insightful and thoughtful. One bit of truth is this: I'll agree that shooting at a steep angle is not ideal, but I think such shots bother me less than most on this forum. That said, you're quite right...cutting off some of the top would be a wise idea. By the way, your I.N. quote is fantastic...I've never heard that one before...
I think the appreciation for a lower shooting angle grows on one over time. Look at Frank's mallard just below you. Very engaging to be at that viewing angle, at least for me.
Hey Jack,
Agree with Randy's assesment. Kneeling or sitting would have given you a more pleasing shooting angle at that focal length. Putting the 1.4 TC and geting back a bit could also work in most situations. I would also consider cleaning up the highlights in the BG.....although they are not that bothersome to me. Just some additional food for thought.
Folks, many thanks. As I said, in this particular situation, I was at the lowest angle possible. Normally, I like to get as low as I can. There are always exceptions, of course...one must consider the image's background as well. Just personal taste too...I'm mainly posting this particular pic because the other elements appeal to me very much, including the spotty background. Of course I can see the logic in cleaning it up, but the little spots attract my interest and please my eyes...thanks again for the helpful comments, folks!
Last edited by Jack Breakfast; 03-19-2012 at 01:11 PM.
thanks folks...i realize now that i actually posted the wrong photo...this is an 'alternate take' and the original is "slightly better" but 'still in this vein' so I'll try the actual one I MEANT to post with the top cropped off as per your suggestions and I even tidied up the water...truly sorry for the mistake...my brain is wonky from watching too many loopy trumpeter swans over the past two days. I won't mess up again. I'll be a good guy!
Hi Jack, its always good to experiment with shooting angles, and to look for any distractions in the BG against the subject. I like the colours on her back, and I agree cropping off the top will work.
Although a different image with a different pose, the crop does work better.
I feel when shooting portraits, one should try and fill the frame with more of the head, and less of the body.