Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I dug deep into my files to find this picture of a pair of Mallards that decided to occasionally enjoy my pond, which was next door to a runoff control pond where they explored nesting. This was taken in 2011. It’s hard to get more urban than my suburban backyard. The rock he’s standing is part of the pond rim.
Specific Feedback
They were comfortable enough with my presence for me to step out the back door and take this shot.
Technical Details
5D, 400 mm, 1/320 s, f/10, iso 400, tripod.
Very pleasing image Mark. Has such a spring feel to it with the flowers, greenery, and mallard pair. Details on the male look good and it’s also nice to see the female in the background. Are you sure the specs of R5 and 2011 are correct? I was shooting DSLRs back in 2011.
A very nice image of this pair, Mark. I too like the spring feel of this image.
Allen, you’re right, the camera was a 5D… one number, one letter… 
A very pleasing image, Mark. The flowers in the foreground and background adds a lot . Excellent look at the ducks as well.
What a sweet image. How lucky are you The ducks are gorgeous and so is that spring feel that others have mentioned. They certainly look relaxed.
I sort of wish for a little more room at the bottom…and maybe a bit of rock removal between the two birds.
There’s something really endearing about the scene — a lovely moment to come across, and captured well.
It feels like the image is trying to hold two subjects at once. The drake is the stronger element, but the duck and surrounding detail compete for attention. It may be stronger if one subject was allowed to lead — either isolating the drake with a tighter crop, or focusing more on the duck without the drake in frame.
The purple flowers and the perch in the foreground draw the eye quite quickly, particularly as they appear sharper than the duck, which pulls attention away slightly.
A slight reduction in the shadows on the drake’s head could bring out more detail, and easing back the highlights in the taller blades of grass may help keep the focus more on the bird.
Overall, a really engaging wildlife moment, and a nice opportunity to work with subjects like this in a natural setting just a few footsteps from your door.
