What Are YOU Looking at?

Image Critiques Everything Else Critiques
1

-20250819-_SA15335-McLane Creek-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit-Edit.jpg
-20250819-_SA15335-McLane Creek-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit-Edit.jpg2048×1170 1.78 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I went to one of our local ponds yesterday, mostly in search of dragonflies, but found quite a few Wood Ducks. They’ve pretty much completed their molts, but are still spending most of their time grooming. I was walking to my favorite vantage point-an observation platform over the water, and noticed this pair on the platform railing. To get the green background, I just had to go down on one knee and keep the monopod reasonably low.

Specific Feedback

If the male had been on his right leg, I would have preferred it, but other than that, I’m pretty happy with this one. Any suggestions for improvements, modifications are more than welcome.

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 @ 422 mm, monopod, f/6.3, 1/640, iso 2000. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 4187x2393. Taken yesterday at 8:09 a.m. under overcast skies.

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:
1 Like
2

What a superb capture; wonderfull texture, bokeh, color. More experienced birders may have more specific thoughts to add.
There is one thing that struck me, and that is the two ducks are too far apart. If the image has area cropped out, you could expand the image crop. Or as I did, I tranformed the image by warping the image and bring the ducks closer together.

McLane Creek--Edit
McLane Creek--Edit1640×1125 488 KB

3

Thanks, @gDan52 I’ve never used warping for that purpose, though I have cut out a section of a perch to bring a pair of birds closer together. Thanks for pointing that out.

1 Like
4

I felt like Gary that they could be brought closer. But I’d prefer a section cut-out, as with warping the ducks are a bit elongated like in one of those funfair mirrors. I love the perch, the BG and the details in the ducks, with nice, clear eyes. (I wanted to see a wood duck in the Spring, but only caught a blurry one in flight at about 6am - must return to your country!).

5

A wonderful capture with gorgeous colors and detail! With the feet so flat on the railing it would be easy to just cut one out, clone BG over where it was, and move the cutout over as desired.