David Kepley  


Mergansers by David Kepley

November 2024 - Mergansers

November 2024 - David Kepley

Original

About the Image(s)


I took this shot on a workshop in AK. This is a group of common mergansers. I really like how the colors of the background mimic the colors of the birds. I cropped it to get rid of the foreground and give it a pano look.


Canon R7, 150-500mm lens shot at 229mm, 1/400 sec, f6.3, ISO 2000. I used the usual LRC sliders, as well as Topaz denies and sharpen.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted




Michael Weatherford   Michael Weatherford
You sure got you ducks in a row on this one. I would try dehazing a bit and increasing vibrance and/or saturation (Lightroom). Nice shot!   Posted: 11/12/2024 16:24:28



Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
I've been looking over this image for the last couple of days. I've tried the enlarged version, but that does not actually enlarge anything. Anyway I try to look at the image it just seems to lack sharpness. These are beautiful birds but the necessary detail is just not there. I think the composition is fine, but I do wonder why you only shot this at 229mm when you have a 500mm lens? For the R7 2000 ISO should not be a problem. I'm assuming you didn't use a tripod so perhaps holding the long lens at only 1/400 seconds introduced some camera shake.   Posted: 11/15/2024 23:56:05
David Kepley   David Kepley
Good points, Larry. The ducks are not particularly sharp. I guess what I liked about the image was the soft impresionistic colors of the ducks and the background. Not sure if that worked, which is why I submitted it to the group for discussion.   Posted: 11/18/2024 16:20:13



Bud Ralston   Bud Ralston
Hi David, I see what you were trying to do. Adding fog to the overall image might have helped accomplish your artistic intent.   Posted: 11/20/2024 16:30:57



Susan Cifaldi   Susan Cifaldi
Mergansers always look like they are on the verge of having a bad hair day. . .

I like the Bud's idea of adding the fog, but I wouldn't have the first clue as to how to do it. I kinda like the original in that the colors are a bit more intense. But both are worthwhile shots and tell a story of the long, wet road ahead for these ducks.   Posted: 11/20/2024 17:04:13



Cindy Marple   Cindy Marple
I can see what you're drawn to here, the colors are really nice. I do like the lighter tone of the original as it has a bit more punch. And I like your idea for a panoramic crop but for me the birds are too centered top-to-bottom, they should be lower with less water.
Here's my interpretation with just a bit of clarity and small levels adjustments from the original. I did upscale it with Topaz as well just to have a bigger file to work with.   Posted: 11/28/2024 01:28:51
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