Mallard Ducks

M

Moab Man

Senior Member
Went out to shoot at the frozen pond. Wandering around on the ice for a while when I heard these ducks tucked away in a dark hidden cove. It took me literally an hour and a half to sneak up on these ducks through the crunchy snow. In the end, I think it was worth it.

Day364Duck.jpg
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
I knew, before I opened this post, that this would be a stunning image!!

That is absolutely beautiful! While I am no expert I will say it is the best photo of ducks I have ever seen. Just jaw dropping!
 
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
I was asked what I did so here it is for everyone.

1. The dark background happened because of the dark little cove the birds were in. After sneaking up on the birds for an hour and a half I then stood there for more than an hour watching the birds float around in the little puddle (six feet across three feet deep) of unfrozen water. As I stood there the sun started getting lower and slipped under the thick canopy of tree branches and tall scrub brush. Eventually a streak of light was running across the puddle, but not reflecting as the sun was low enough. The ducks then drifted into the light and turned toward each other for a little cuddle. The hard part was now done.

2. Post CS6 Raw Editor
Lens correction for Nikon 55-300mm
Camera Profile set to Vivid
Bumped up the sharpening
Increased contrast
Lightened Shadows
Strengthened "Black"

3. CS6/Nik Tools
In Nik Tools / Color Efex Pro 4
-Tonal Contrast
-Camera Vignette to bring your eyes to the birds
-Vignette Blur over the Camera Vignette

There you have it. I owe it to patience, time of day, and pure dumb luck that all the components came together for me to do my part.

George
 
J

Jonathan

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
I was asked what I did so here it is for everyone.

1. The dark background happened because of the dark little cove the birds were in. After sneaking up on the birds for an hour and a half I then stood there for more than an hour watching the birds float around in the little puddle (six feet across three feet deep) of unfrozen water. As I stood there the sun started getting lower and slipped under the thick canopy of tree branches and tall scrub brush. Eventually a streak of light was running across the puddle, but not reflecting as the sun was low enough. The ducks then drifted into the light and turned toward each other for a little cuddle. The hard part was now done.

2. Post CS6 Raw Editor
Lens correction for Nikon 55-300mm
Camera Profile set to Vivid
Bumped up the sharpening
Increased contrast
Lightened Shadows
Strengthened "Black"

3. CS6/Nik Tools
In Nik Tools / Color Efex Pro 4
-Tonal Contrast
-Camera Vignette to bring your eyes to the birds
-Vignette Blur over the Camera Vignette

There you have it. I owe it to patience, time of day, and pure dumb luck that all the components came together for me to do my part.

George
Click to expand...

And I think that's a good lesson for all of us: most great snaps are the result of very hard work and extreme patience.
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Moab Man said:
Went out to shoot at the frozen pond. Wandering around on the ice for a while when I heard these ducks tucked away in a dark hidden cove. It took me literally an hour and a half to sneak up on these ducks through the crunchy snow. In the end, I think it was worth it.

View attachment 64437
Click to expand...

I saw this when you first posted it but found myself wanting to see it again. It is so tranquil and beautiful I had to come back for another look! :cool:
 
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