# Golden duck **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [March 23, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988 "2025-03-23T18:37:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/1 "2025-03-23T18:37:57Z")
Repost based on comments. I must say that the crop from the initial picture cannot go further than this… ![_Y6A9110-Enhanced-NR_1920-2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/7/a/7aa8bb9d7f08aeccb7e9de02199a2127163bdeae.jpeg) ![_Y6A9110-Enhanced-NR_1920.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/a/bab75fcf3abd190833b768c2046265fa46c80c4e.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This was taken a few months ago at the height of autumn. A yellow coloured tree at the opposite side of the pond was brightly lit by the afternoon sun. I was prepared for bird in flight pictures, as you can gather from the technical details. But when the female duck started to make waves in the middle of the reflection of that tree, I saw another chance. ### Specific Feedback You understood that I like the image. Still, I wonder if I should get rid of the left edge of the picture, which would place the duck right in the middle of it. Or do you see other compositions (crops…) possible? ### Technical Details Canon Canon EOS R6 ƒ/9 1/2500 800 mm 5000 ISO * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/2 "2025-03-23T19:16:52Z")
Hi Xavier I like the open framing, it’s very playful. The golden reflection in the water and splashing of the duck all work. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/3 "2025-03-23T19:54:26Z")
I like the way you kept the duck small in the frame, Xavier. That golden water deserves to be the star of the show with the duck acting more as an accent point. Sometimes we get so focused on the subject that we miss opportunities like that. That said, I would be tempted to brighten the duck a little to see how it looks, if you haven’t done so already. ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/4 "2025-03-24T00:04:42Z")
I absolutely agree with @Dennis_Plank . Sometimes I don’t see the forest for the trees. This was certainly a grand opportunity to capture a lovely image. I don’t mind the framing but I would certainly consider losing some of the left hand side and perhaps a bit off the top? Just another version of a lovely image. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/5 "2025-03-24T14:24:54Z")
Hi Xavier, Awesome light here and this is a terrific environmental scene. Lovely Mallard just landed? Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_williams/32/65698_2.png) [@Ed\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Williams)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/6 "2025-03-24T16:31:13Z")
Ooooh, I love that rich gold water Xavier. Beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/golden-duck/45988/7 "2025-03-31T15:45:27Z")
The golden water makes the photo, as do the water droplets from the landing. I like the original post, as there is more room on the right for the duck to move into. Lovely image.