Mr Mandarin Duck

[Dusty]

[Digital]

Nice photo. Real good colors.


Bruce

[Shadowman]

Didn't I see this photo already or was it standing in the other photo?

[Dusty]

Didn't I see this photo already or was it standing in the other photo?

No Shadowman if you look properly you will notice it's 3 different images I have POSTED and of 3 different Mandarin Ducks and I have taken them to show on this forum to get opionions on the merits of my skills of taking images. I am disgusted in your post.

[Brownbear]

Hi Dave,

I adore your Mandarin ducks, all beautifully photographed and always with gorgeous colours. This shot is lovely but I prefer the other shot simply because the background was simpler.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

Not bad at all, but I suggest you keep a close eye on exposure, these critters are very difficult to shoot without blowing the white plumage.

Here's the best I have managed to publish so far: http://www.pbase.com/dhumphries/image/150546071

I like the catch light in your one's eye, mine lacks that

[chauncey]

Dave is correct...keep the whites about RGB 245.

[NorthernFocus]

Hi, Dave. Others have already mentioned the issues with highlights. The location where you shot this looks like it has a lot of potential. The water has a complimentary color tone to the bird. If you have access it might be a nice spot to practice a bit. Images of ducks tend to look a bit better if the head is not aligned with the body. A slight twist of the head can make a huge difference. Keeping the critter framed and shooting several images with slightly different positions can yield dramatically different results.

Beautiful bird.

[Wavelength]

Another great Mandarin image

[AB26]

Dave,
If I may add 2c. Be careful of over-sharpening in PP.

[klovibond]

Personally, I would avoid over-saturating the colours too.....they look unnaturally vivid to me

[Dusty]

Personally, I would avoid over-saturating the colours too.....they look unnaturally vivid to me

Kevin,Andre, David, I never touched the slider for saturation or vibrancy. I use Aperture for PP and I hardly did anything to this image, I added a touch of contrast only .17, didn't touch any sliders on exposure the usual on sharpening, as in not over sharpening the white balance was at 5977 K and as David said it is hard to stop overexposing these lovely ducks but it was a day in the UK when the sun was out.
Dave.

[klovibond]

Spot-metering may have helped with that Dave, I notice in your exif you were using partial metering.

[IzzieK]

Beautiful shot! I like the eyes very much.

[Plumcrak]

Dave, what a beautiful image. The only thing that breaks up this image, for my eyes at least, is the flat rock in front of the duck. I wish the ducks reflection was not disrupted by the rock. It is a beautiful animal!