Mallard in Flight

[ken1953]

Hello all...
I had originally put this shot over on the Critique forum to get some ideas on how to make it a better photograph. I took their suggestions and here is what I came up with. I hope you all like it. It was a grab and shoot shot at a local city lake.

The original can be seen here http://forums.photographyreview.com/...771#post263771 .

[AgingEyes]

It looks like the duck was crawling on the ground. You may want to remove the color cast as well.

[ken1953]

OK AE...you've just surpassed my learning. What do you mean, and how do you do it??? I do think I might understand what it is you are tying to say...but some clarification and maybe some examples would sure help me understand better.

[AgingEyes]

What do you mean, and how do you do it???

White balance. It could then look something like this:

[ken1953]

OK AE...I think I see what you're saying...I will do some work with full version...I like this idea...it's a profitable day when you can learn something new...thanx for educating me...

[mjs1973]

Hey Ken,

Good to see you posting again. I hope all is well in Texas. Say hi to Kim for me.

Ok, onto the photo. The one thing that bugs me about this image is the lack of space on the left. When a subject is moving through the frame, I like to see some room in the frame for that subject to more into. Here it just seems too cramped. Other than that, I think it's a pretty good grab shot.

I did play around with it, and added some more space to the left. I will post it if that's OK with you.

[ken1953]

Hi Michael...thanx for taking a look and yes...please...FEEL FREE...it's great to hear from you. I guess I can let the cat out of the bag...I was gonna drop you an email...but, we will soon be back in WI permanently...We're leaving here April 1st. We have to fulfill our contract and our apt. lease then we'll be leaving. Maybe then we'll have some more time for our photography instead of 7 days a week throwing newspapers. :-( Anyway...please show me what you came up with as I am trying to get ideas on how to fix this one. ttul...

[mjs1973]

Hey Ken,

Are you coming back to Platteville?

This is what I came up with. I'm sure you would have a lot more areas to clone from on your original, but this will at least demonstrate what I was talking about.

[Loupey]

Hi, Ken - for as much motion and pan-blur that you have from your choice of shutter speed, I'm impressed at how sharp the head is - excellent tracking.

Keep this shutter speed memorized so that you know what it will yield in the future. Then you can try different speeds to get different looks. I might try a slightly faster speed so that the wings are a bit clearer.

Thanks for sharing this with us here.

[ken1953]

Thanx Loupey...Lets see...memory...that went with the Alzheimers...I think Dementia has set in now...but I'll do my best...hahaha...anyway...This shot was accidental and pure luck...I had been shooting my grandsons feeding the geese, ducks and pigeons when they scattered. I just threw the camera up and got off 2 shots. How it focused that fast, I'll never know...just dumb luck!!!! my dl is usually not that fast....but, I really did like this shot...but, the original was way to busy so between the Critique forum and here, I've gotten some great ideas. Thanx again for the comments and suggestions...

[ken1953]

Hey Ken,

Are you coming back to Platteville?

This is what I came up with. I'm sure you would have a lot more areas to clone from on your original, but this will at least demonstrate what I was talking about.

Thanx Michael, The original shot didn't have any room in front of the duck and what you saw was an original width crop. I only cropped the top and bottom. I was trying to do the same thing but my didn't work as well as yours. I will play around with it.

And YES...at least for a while...we are also looking at Madison and Dubuque. We got kind of used to the amenities in a larger city. But...we'll have to wait and see...hope to see you in April when we get back and also get a chance to meet the bride. ttul