The Mallard Collection - Male

Posted by LHays on Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:15 am

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The weather has been filled with snow, sleet, rain and now fog this week so I'm working on the images that I've already shot. This isn't exactly what I wanted to show the top in flight but it's the best that I have. I'm undecided on whether I really like this one or not. Getting them to fly in and out is no problem. Getting the males to turn their head just right for the irridescence and banking is another story. I just hope I get another chance at these guys before the lake thaws out.

Canon 1D, 500mmL IS, shot from SUV with a towel on the window
ISO 320, f/8, ss 1/1250 (incident meter)
Photoshop - cropped from right/bottom, levels, USM

Lana Hays
NSN 0040
[url]http://www.lanahays.com/[/url]

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by KK Hui on Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:27 am

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Lana,
This is not as sharp as your previous shots in your Mallard series. But I like the composition, pose and the clean blue bg as is ... It's all hard work I'm sure :roll:
Wish you luck for the next assignment!

KK Hui FRPS
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by Carol Clarke on Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:30 am

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The whole series has been stunning Lana and the shots unique! This is another I would be proud to own!!

Carol Clarke
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by AlexC on Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:38 am

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The Mallard and his hen series!!
Doesn't get any better than this!!!

Image:
Different angle, same lovely duck, wonderful dangling feet and excellent exposure , lovely iridescence on his head!! Wonderful capture indeed!!
Congrats!!!

[b]Alex Calzadilla[/b]
[b]Miami, Florida[/b]
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by LHays on Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:06 am

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KK Hui wrote:Lana,
This is not as sharp as your previous shots in your Mallard series. But I like the composition, pose and the clean blue bg as is ... It's all hard work I'm sure :roll:
Wish you luck for the next assignment!

KK
I'm always concerned about "too much" sharpening. I had it sharper and must have backed off when I saved it as I thought it was oversharpened. I think this one may be headed for the "delete" file. It's one that I've gone back to several times.....but it just doesn't have the original sharpness needed to make it what I want.

Lana Hays
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by fredcor on Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:35 am

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Another terrific action shot Lana.

You have captured the colours very well with your exposure. What exposure method do you use for these flight shots?

Frederick Lat Correa

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by BrianS on Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:37 am

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Love this series of yours. Dangling feet and blurred wing tips are a grabber in this one.

[b]Brian Spangler[/b]
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by Harvey Edelman on Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:49 am

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Truly caught at the right moment!

Harvey Edelman
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by Alan Murphy on Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:54 am

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Lana, the darks are a little blocked out on this shot, maybe a little contrasty. An incredible shot. Love that you have a goal in mind and wont let up. Great shot.

Alan Murphy
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by Sandy Mossberg on Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:29 am

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Another beautiful duck, Lana. If the head were truly sharp, as your others, it would be over the top. Your only competition here is yourself.

Sandy Mossberg
Boynton Beach, Florida, USA
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by Mike Wilson on Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:35 pm

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Please don't delete this one. Sweet as can be. Quite an original image in my book. Keep em comin'.

Mike Wilson
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:49 pm

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Lana:

A winner in my book. I love the visible speculum. Olease do not give up your images are candy to our eyes.

Juan E. Bahamon
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by Jim Neely on Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:28 pm

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I don't think it looks all that soft. The head looks pretty good here.

I like action, the iridesence, light and the mallard about to do a crash landing.

jn

[b]Jim Neely - Dripping Springs TX[/b]
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by Bill Whala on Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:34 pm

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Lana,

This guy is very nice. The visible specula make this one special. It sharpens up a little more w/o any ill effects.

Bill Whala

"Aves of similar plumage tend to converge with one another"

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by jnadler on Fri Feb 06, 2004 3:36 pm

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Another great capture!

Jeff Nadler
Jeff Nadler Nature Photography

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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:50 pm

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Lana,

I would keep it. It's an excellent shot. The green in the head, the feet, the wing position, and the view of the curls above the tail all make this worth saving. Keep at it, I know your persistence will get you what you want.

Bruce DiVaccaro
Sheffield Village, Ohio
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by KK Hui on Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:56 pm

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LHays wrote:
KK Hui wrote:Lana,
This is not as sharp as your previous shots in your Mallard series. But I like the composition, pose and the clean blue bg as is ... It's all hard work I'm sure :roll:
Wish you luck for the next assignment!
KK
I'm always concerned about "too much" sharpening. I had it sharper and must have backed off when I saved it as I thought it was oversharpened. I think this one may be headed for the "delete" file. It's one that I've gone back to several times.....but it just doesn't have the original sharpness needed to make it what I want.

Lana,
I always try to give my honest opinion when it comes to image critique. I hope I have not be too harsh on you!

As Sandy has already commented, it would be over the top with this one if it was truly sharp ... Well, I have had similar situations and end up deleting the shot 'painfully'. But knowing that I can do it better next time, there is always hope!!!

KK Hui FRPS
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by LHays on Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:38 pm

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KK
I post images because I want honest opinions.....they are welcomed and appreciated. You were in no way too harsh. You simply confirmed what I had suspected. I've finally learned to let go of some images......and work for something better. That's the way I learn. Thanks for you honesty and time that you give in critiquing.

Lana Hays
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by Jill on Sat Feb 07, 2004 1:14 am

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Lana, This is an excellent image of this drake!! The light, comp and BG are great!!! I do like him, but still love your earlier drake more!!!

Jill Rosenfield

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by Juan E. Bahamon on Sat Feb 07, 2004 12:33 pm

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Lana:

Excellent capture: everything came together perfectly for this shot: Nice action, gorgeous subject, excellent exposure and saturation, lovely background, sharp where it matters. Sincere congratulations.

Juan E. Bahamon
www.birdsofcorpuschristi.com
www.juanbahamonhummingbirds.com

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