[Recovered Thread: 79940]

[Hards80]

here is 2 shots of an American WoodDuck, one of the prettiest ducks on the planet if you ask me.. he was happy enough to ablige me with a "show" on this first one..

comments and critiques welcome and encouraged..

[Hards80]

#2

[thatsanicepicture2]

Hards80 wrote:

the prettiest duck on the planet if you ask me.. he was happy enough

Dustin,

Now your scaring me...

OK... Seriously... These are great pictures. You had a very good day!
Did you do any PP... Looks like you could have squeaked out a little USM on the re-size. Maybe...

dale

[Hards80]

thanks dale..

for post-process.. i first converted using rawshooter premium where i handled most of the contrast /color and exposure fine-tuning.. then off to CS2 for mild cropping and final checks of histograms etc..

i did use a little unsharp mask on these after resize.. but i kept it pretty low as its easy to get artifacts when sharpening a small web-shot.. full size tiffs of these are amazingly sharp and look quite nice, i am very happy with these images..

-dustin

[audioedge]

wow these are great, and he is one pretty duck - but he knows it

[julies517]

dustin these are both great shots, it's nice to see some posts from you. the compositions, of course, are wonderful. color and detail also spot on. some of the water reflection/bokeh in the first one, i find a little distracting...but i'm sure in the real-size versions that's probably not an issue. well done.

[thatsanicepicture2]

Hards80 wrote:

thanks dale..

for post-process.. i first converted using rawshooter premium where i handled most of the contrast /color and exposure fine-tuning.. then off to CS2 for mild cropping and final checks of histograms etc..

i did use a little unsharp mask on these after resize.. but i kept it pretty low as its easy to get artifacts when sharpening a small web-shot.. full size tiffs of these are amazingly sharp and look quite nice, i am very happy with these images..

-dustin

Dustin,

I love it when a plan comes together. As a matter of fact by the totality of your answer I'm a little suspicious you knew where I was going.

These are fantastic pictures.... But it wasn't an accident. You have planning a work in every step. Even the presentation here in the reduced size is,as if you were putting it into a competition. No luck... No snapshots... VERY NICE. But you knew that.

dale

PS: In my scheming I forgot to ask about your lens?

[Hards80]

double post

[Hards80]

Jules,
thanks so much for the kind words.. i am glad you enjoyed them.. i am with you on the background on the first one, the water is shallow and combined with the wind we had today gave it a weird texture.. but as you say, the full size does look better, esp from a normal viewing distance..

Dale,
funny you should mention a competition.. i am putting together a few sets for a show at my school, so these two i will probably present together..

BTW- for those interested.. these were shot with my Sigma 80-400 OS at 400mm F5.6 with shutter speeds around 1/320 (thanks image stab)... i am really happy w/ this lens, these are quite sharp especially considering its at its the maximum focal length wide-open..

[julies517]

nice lens, these are crystal clear with good DoF!