Mallard + Repost

One from last winter, and a continuation of my work on the common stuff.

I hope that the whites on the back don't look blown out on this upload.

Thanks for the C and C on the last post, much appreciated.

C and C welcome.

Techs - Nikon D2X, 200-400MM, 1/350TH at F5.6, Beanbag, angle finder,

Kind regards,

Chris.

The back certainly doesn't look over done.
I like how the extended wings are parallel and in line with the horizon. Dark head and neck area look a little dark here especially with no highlight in the eye.
From a composition viewpoint I'd prefer to see the bird further to the left with more area for it to look into, but that's maybe just me
John

Agree with John's comments here and would like to see the head a lit lighter. I think some shadow/highlight in PS would easily do the trick here and create an image that would work well.

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Thanks very for the comments Jeroen and John - this is why I find this forum so helpful.

So it seems it is my PP work that needs some improvement, judging by my previous and current posts. I shall have another go when I get back to my own machine.

Cheers both.

Chris I think the comments above cover your image well and I agree that with maybe a bit of work on the head you have a very nice image.

Keith.

I have now had chance to do some adjustments. This one seems to look better on my gear, what do you think?

Cheers again for the comments so far

Chris it does look a bit brighter on the head but can you get a bit more and have you any more canvas to the right of the bird?

Keith.

It's a good enough exercise to play around with images that are not 100% right. For common subjects though, sometimes it is quicker and more fruitful to go out and get them again and take with you the knowledge you learnt from getting the first one wrong.
This might sound like blunt advice, but rest assured it is the advice I give myself. We all make mistakes and in all honesty it is the best way to learn how not to do something.
If the duck had a catchlight/highlight in it's eye it would be good, but without it: Mmm not so good.
If it were me, I'd be looking to shoot in warmer light with the light coming from the front right hand side, enough to illuminate the duck's head and create a catchlight in it's eye and coming from that direction it would backlight the wingtip feathers and not be too bright on it's back. Get your exposure spot on and compose in the viewfinder and you should be in business

cheers
John

Thanks very much John and Keith, I will have another play to see what else I can get from it.

Keith - no more canvas I'm afraid, I'll add some to the right to balance it up.

Cheers.