# Male Wood Duck in Eclipse Plumage **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [August 9, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573 "2023-08-09T20:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [August 9, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573/1 "2023-08-09T20:52:41Z")
![-20230627-_A1_7032-McLane Creek-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/d/ad512f14a11fbed2cda0aa6a9ebc7e9aad3f2427.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This one goes back to late June. Just poking around in the files. I liked the wake around the duck as much as I liked him. ### Specific Feedback I liked the 3-D feeling of the wake, despite the relatively steep angle of the shot. I’d liked to have cropped a bit more from the bottom for the reflected head, but didn’t want to lose the wake and didn’t like the way it worked as a semi-panorama, so this is where I ended up-comments? ### Technical Details Sony A1 FE 200-600 @ 600 mm, monopod with Wimberley Sidekick head, f/6.3, 1/1600, iso 1250, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. I used my old Topaz Detail plugin to emphasize the wake contour and he feather texture of the in-focus portions of the duck separately. Cropped to 5855x4042. Taken at 10:09 AM on June 27th. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573/2 "2023-08-10T15:13:22Z")
Great look at this wood duck Dennis. I’m not used to seeing them in this plumage so this is a real treat. Love the view of the red eye - really nice. Nice details and tones throughout - I like the subtle light. I see what you mean about the crop. I’m thinking about trying just taking a smidge more off the bottom and see if you like that. Having just the neck and no head seems a bit odd. Nice catch either way. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573/3 "2023-08-10T16:00:29Z")
Mighty fine wood duck portrait. I too can imagine just a touch more cropped from the bottom. I am yet to get any decent wood duck photos. I’ve not had any luck getting anywhere near them and they spook so easily. I lust for a shot like this of one. Wall hanger, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Sandor](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/richard_sandor/32/88084_2.png) [@Richard\_Sandor](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Richard_Sandor)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 1:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573/4 "2023-08-13T13:33:48Z")
Dennis: I really like the ripples around the wood duck as well as the duck’s plumage. My nit would be not being able to see the duck’s head in the reflection. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/male-wood-duck-in-eclipse-plumage/36573/5 "2023-08-14T14:53:54Z")
Hi Dennis The lighting eye contact and coloring on this Wood duck is great. Are you saying the head was not fully in the raw frame ? If it was, I would like to see this shot opened up some. I would like to see the reflection of the head and I think a wider frame would help on the steep angle. Peter