Looks like you had great light on him to pull out all the colors, Fred. Normally, I try to avoid steep downward or upward angles, but it sure brought out those colors in this one, so maybe I have to rethink my techniques.
@Dennis_Plank The light was diffused, thankfully. I’m sure your techniques are fine. I’m too old to get down on the ground, much as I’d like to sometimes. That and a longstanding reluctance to lie in the dirt and assorted bird droppings have been things I’ve had to live with. He was so beautiful I couldn’t resist shooting from standing.
I love the reflection on this, Fred. The bird is so fancy and multicolored that the reflection comes as a surprise. Maybe it’s a reflection in shadow? Regardless, the color of the reflection adds a very painterly feel to this.
ML
A handsome dude with stunning colors and a lovely reflection! I think adding a bit more canvas on top could be worth having a look. So easy with a simple “crop” to expand canvas with content-aware fill.
@Diane_Miller@Marylynne_Diggs@Allen_Brooks Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Here is photograph that is 6 frames later in the sequence. The framing is a bit better and I tried a bit of warming on the water. The warming also shaded the water down a bit. The intent was to work a bit more drama into the photograph. I also like the water drop falling from the tip of his beak.
Fred, I prefer this over the original. The duck is larger and has a better head turn. I love the color of the water, though the brightness tends to overpower the duck. I’d also be tempted to remove the bubble in the LUC.
Nice views of this beauty Fred. Always love seeing these colorful ducks. Colors look a bit overdone to me but these are still nice renditions of a beautiful duck.
