The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was in Portland, OR in September for a work conference and I took an extra day to do some birding and photography. The Crystal River Rhododendron Garden was a great place for ducks even at that in-between time of the year. I saw a lot of wood ducks (which I love) including a few immature males like this guy. It was a cloudy day so good for shooting in the afternoon.
Specific Feedback
I love the duck and his colorful plumage, but have no idea what to do with the log. It may be too distracting in this shot… I have reduced the clarity on it behind the duck and darkened it and and the water, but it’s still not there for me.
Technical Details
Fuji X-H2S, 1/800s, f/8, ISO 1250, 578mm (Fuji 150-600 with 1.25 TC)
Lightroom with DXO PureRaw import
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi, Debbie - I like this a lot! He sure IS keeping an eye on you!
I’m not sure what the little yellow blip near the eye is - a tip of a foot? Not a beak, since Woodies don’t have yellow beaks. Or maybe that small yellow outline on the beak?
The BG log doesn’t bother me, but it could be toned down to minimize it - something like this:
I simply chose “Select Subject” in PS 2024, brightened the duck a small bit, then inverted the selection and darkened the BG.
Straightened it a bit, as well
@SandyR-B that does look a lot better… the yellow is that bit at the top of the bill where it connects to the white stripes on the adult male. No white stripes yet though. Here’s another view of this guy so you can see his face (maybe a better shot, I haven’t processed this one yet other than converting from RAW).
HI Debbie. Beautiful job on the duck itself. the edits @SandyR-B made helped with the background. It’s hard to do when we get a really nice shot of a subject and the background isn’t there, but sometimes we just have to admit that not everything came together. The angle on you second shot perpendicular to the log should work a lot better.
Hi Debbie, nice catch of this wood duck. I love seeing the colors on the primary feathers shown and also that red eye. Nice sharpness. Good advice above.
The log doesn’t bother me, Debbie, as the bright red eye and rich blues and good feather detail draws the eye right to the duck. It’s interesting how Wood Ducks at places like Cyrstal Springs are essentially tame, but in the wild they are probably the most likely duck to take off at the first sign of a human.
Hi Debbie
The wood Duck looks great, the eye contact sells the shot. The only nit I have with the log, is that big not behind the ducks back. Love the coloring.
Peter
