Wood duck and Redhead

Fantastic shots as always BrentC.

The reflections on the water in the first two images makes the water look like it has floating liquid gold (We may wish)

Very nice.

baturn · Feb 5, 2018

Very nice set!

BrentC · Feb 5, 2018

PJcam said:
Fantastic shots as always BrentC.

The reflections on the water in the first two images makes the water look like it has floating liquid gold (We may wish)

Very nice.

Thank you.

To be honest I'm not too crazy with how the water turned out. Looks too busy as a background for the Wood duck. Started using ColorFX Pro from Nik collection for the first time because I really wanted to show off the Wood duck colours. It wasn't the nicest day, overcast with a little sun coming though at times through light clouds. No matter how I adjusted the water it just made it worse. Reducing the highlights on the water just mad it look flat compared to the duck.
If anybody has any thoughts on how I can deal with the water it would be appreciated. I think the Tonal Contrast filter I used may have made it worse.

PJcam · Feb 5, 2018

@BrentC

Hope you didn't take as criticism, it was only a general comment. I am not in a position to comment to much on photo shots, I am just starting out as you know. It just seemed rather unusual, I wondered was it a filter or was it something reflecting to cause the appearance we see.

I like your shots, they are always great to view.

zombiesniper · Feb 5, 2018

Well done.

BrentC · Feb 5, 2018

PJcam said:
@BrentC

Hope you didn't take as criticism, it was only a general comment. I am not in a position to comment to much on photo shots, I am just starting out as you know. It just seemed rather unusual, I wondered was it a filter or was it something reflecting to cause the appearance we see.

I like your shots, they are always great to view.

No worries, I didn't take it as criticism. And I always welcome comments and criticism on my photos. I wish there was more criticism because it helps me get better.

This was on the lake and it was a bit choppy and what little of the late afternoon sun that came through the clouds hit the waves. I just couldnt' seem to separate the processing of the duck and the water and have it look good. This is one of the times I wish the Wood Duck was in a pond with calm water.

BrentC · Feb 5, 2018

zombiesniper said:
Well done.

Thanks.

ZombiesniperJr · Feb 5, 2018

Great set.

Dean_Gretsch · Feb 5, 2018

Male Wood ducks look like there was an explosion at a crayon factory, don't they? They are one of my favorite and hardest to shoot water fowls. Great set.