Deborah Stewart
July 2024 - Male Mallard
Original
About the Image(s)
Shot on Canon Rebel T EOS 1500D. Camera settings ISO800, 300mm, F14, 1/640. I think I used my 18-55mm lens.
I edited the photo in Lightroom Classic.
I am still learning to use Lightroom. I shot this sitting by the water where all of the water birds were and had my camera on my monopod.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
Hi Deborah,
I like the iridescent color formations of birds like the Mallard. I like that you put the bird on the thirds also. I think it would be an improvement to somehow increase the exposure and shadows/black in post processing to bring out more detail in the eye and head. Otherwise, a great subject and composition.
Maybe a lower ISO, aperture and shutter speed may have given you more data to work with. Posted: 07/09/2024 17:07:40
I like the iridescent color formations of birds like the Mallard. I like that you put the bird on the thirds also. I think it would be an improvement to somehow increase the exposure and shadows/black in post processing to bring out more detail in the eye and head. Otherwise, a great subject and composition.
Maybe a lower ISO, aperture and shutter speed may have given you more data to work with. Posted: 07/09/2024 17:07:40
Ted, thank you for your comments. I will work on the tips you gave. Posted: 07/18/2024 01:48:28
Hi Deborah, I like how you have managed the editing of this image, recovering the iridescent colour of the Mallard and bringing back detail in the shadows.
However, I am not sure about the purple dominance in the water I suggest you try reducing it using the new feature in Lightroom called Colour Mixer. You can pick the colour and modify the hue, luminance and the saturation
I also would consider revisiting the crop and recovering the space on the right side of the bird. Currently, the bird is touching the border of the image, but you have some space in the original.
Posted: 07/12/2024 10:20:38
However, I am not sure about the purple dominance in the water I suggest you try reducing it using the new feature in Lightroom called Colour Mixer. You can pick the colour and modify the hue, luminance and the saturation
I also would consider revisiting the crop and recovering the space on the right side of the bird. Currently, the bird is touching the border of the image, but you have some space in the original.
Posted: 07/12/2024 10:20:38
Maria, thank you. I see what you mean . I did not crop the right side of the photo. Unfortunately, the tip of the ducks tail was no in the photo. I will look at the Colour Mixer. Posted: 07/18/2024 01:50:17
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Deborah, like your Mallard Drake but I feel as Maria said the water color is off and it really detracts form a good image to have the tail cut off. Hope you don't mind, I did a little work on it. What do you think? Posted: 07/22/2024 00:13:28
Thank you Tom, good edit with the colors and crop Posted: 07/23/2024 00:23:53
Hi Deborah. The original image is underexposure. I like how you adjusted the exposure and color on the duck. but I agree with Maria's opinion about the color of water and its composition. Thanks for sharing! Posted: 07/22/2024 14:33:26
Nice male mallard.
Two things:
(1) your edited crop has lost its rear end, try not to clip. Otherwise the placement is good and tells a story of the bird coming into the frame.
(2) The image is underexposed. Make sure to look at your histogram and make sure that the exposure is good. For birds, you rarely need anything other than wide open aperture, unless the bird is really very very close, like a rehab bird on someone's arm in front of you. Posted: 07/23/2024 00:23:12
Two things:
(1) your edited crop has lost its rear end, try not to clip. Otherwise the placement is good and tells a story of the bird coming into the frame.
(2) The image is underexposed. Make sure to look at your histogram and make sure that the exposure is good. For birds, you rarely need anything other than wide open aperture, unless the bird is really very very close, like a rehab bird on someone's arm in front of you. Posted: 07/23/2024 00:23:12
I agree with all of the above. You captured a good shot of the duck and I like the composition. Tom's rework is right on. Well seen. Posted: 07/28/2024 19:37:34