Darcy Quimby
May 2024 - Common Merganser and Duckling
Original
About the Image(s)
Camera Canon EOS 80D Lens Tamron150mm -600 mm
f6.3 1/500 ISO 1000 428mm
I am submitting this image to figure out if there is a story or if I'm just emotionally attached to the image.
I was in Alaska in 2022 on a bear viewing trip and this duck had a few babies jumping in the water, this one was a little reluctant to take the plunge. I was able to see the ducklings jump on the back and I was not able to get that image.
In post I used the point color in ACR to bring out the browns and then the greens in the image. I did use the denoise in ACR. I also added a little texture to the image and am not sure if this is allowed.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
Deborah Albert
Adorable pair. I would crop a fair amount from the left since the duckling is not really looking out and the rock and brown patches are distracting. Maybe crop out light blades of grass on the right as well. Mother's face does not look sharp but may be small file. Posted: 05/09/2024 00:18:05
Deborah
I will try and crop the background. I did not realize how busy the background was. Posted: 05/14/2024 19:30:22
I will try and crop the background. I did not realize how busy the background was. Posted: 05/14/2024 19:30:22
I love to see different birds and learn about them and, in that regard, I like the shot. However, I do find the background far too busy and perhaps cropping some of it out and darkening what you can might assist. Posted: 05/14/2024 02:04:17
Kathie
I think you are correct about the background
Posted: 05/14/2024 19:31:22
I think you are correct about the background
Posted: 05/14/2024 19:31:22
Not sure if it's allowed, but you could also blur the background and make it lighter in Lightroom.
I agree with cropping the left. Posted: 05/20/2024 09:38:01
I agree with cropping the left. Posted: 05/20/2024 09:38:01
Sylvie
Blurring the background is not allowed. I am now agreeing with a different crop.
Posted: 05/23/2024 22:10:17
Blurring the background is not allowed. I am now agreeing with a different crop.
Posted: 05/23/2024 22:10:17
(Groups 2 & 3)
Darcy, this is a really sweet image. I suspect it's more a "club" image than international, but I get what you like about it. FWIW baby animals will sometimes get you an extra point in competition. :-)
I agree that the BG is a bit busy and you included more of it than you need. I also find the birds themselves are not really sharp. I tried cropping, bringing up the birds and taking the BG down a bit. Then I used High-Pass sharpening because it's really quick, but I don't think it's the best choice here. Topaz would do a better job maybe.
Lillian Posted: 05/20/2024 14:10:55
I agree that the BG is a bit busy and you included more of it than you need. I also find the birds themselves are not really sharp. I tried cropping, bringing up the birds and taking the BG down a bit. Then I used High-Pass sharpening because it's really quick, but I don't think it's the best choice here. Topaz would do a better job maybe.
Lillian Posted: 05/20/2024 14:10:55
Lillian
Thank you Posted: 05/23/2024 22:11:28
Thank you Posted: 05/23/2024 22:11:28