Mallard Hen in Flight

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Mallard Hen in Flight
Mallard Hen in Flight1500×967 363 KB

Taken at the same pond and day as the Bufflehead images I posted yesterday. I deliberately left the bird small in the frame to show the habitat. To me, the framing branches focus the attention on the bird, but I’d be interested in other opinions.

Specific Feedback Requested

Composition.

Technical Details

Is this a composite: No
Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, monopod with Wimberley Sidekick, f/9, 1/2000, iso 1600, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 5940x3828. Taken at 9:28 AM on March 10th.

2

This is a tribute to both your reactions and the A1 AF! The Mallard is nicely framed in the branch structure but I wonder if it’s possible to mute the brightest branches a bit.

3

I agree with you Dennis, I think that the mass of branches do create a frame, and they also provide a pleasant colour palette that compliments the bird without losing it.
Well taken.

4

I might warm the blues on the two trunks in the BG – they pull my eye a bit.

5

A difficult shot well-executed, Dennis. I do agree with Diane concerning the blues on the trunks.

6

Excellent job in getting such a sharp flight shot. I like seeing some environment in a bird-in-flight shot and the branches do frame the duck.

7

My first reaction to the seeing the small image was that you caught a nice window of branches that the duck was flying through; so for me the “framing” was right on. Great light and processing on the bird also, it takes center stage in the mass of branches.

8

The larger image is incredibly sharp where it counts. This environment creates difficulty for the photographer and the camera. But you really nailed the focus with so much distraction in the background. Excellent work!