Duck at daybreak

[JJthethird]

I took this while out walking, the duck had just come up from foraging in the water, unfortunately I missed those shots as I was busy crawling on my hands and knees trying to sneak up on it so that I could get closer. I personally like the colours in the water reflected from the sky. Any thoughts on how it could be improved will be gratefully received.

John.

[jiminyClickit]

JJthethird,

Composition is good, better if not cut off at tail feathers. Color is rich, except in the grayer upper portion of water. Water reflection could be intensified with layering,and could be deepened next time with a polarizing filter (like the foot in shadow under duck). Duck seems happy to pose.

[Dan Rowe]

I think Jiminy is right that the composition could have been better because of the tight crop on the tail of the duck. The color of the duck here is so intense that I think the impact made by the flaws of the shot are minimized. This is definately a shot I will remember because those colors are so intense. Thanks for sharing.

[JJthethird]

Thanks for your comments guys, unfortunately the crop is there to stay as the photograph is straight from the camera.

JiminyClickit,
I dont own a polarising filter at present but after looking through the forum and blog I think i will get one. As for the layering I will have a go but I have to warn you that I havent long had my programme (Elements 5.0) and I am still trying to get a feel for it. So if an edit doesnt get posted its because I'm busy ripping my hair out!!

Thanks again for your encouraging comments,

John.

[jiminyClickit]

JJthethird,

For fun, stick a lens from a good pair of sunglasses in front of your camera lens to shoot one water view. And once you do several layering sessions, you'll appreciate the difference and find each one easier. Soon you'll find a number of other things can be done on the layers as well: sharpening, contrast, blurring, etc. Gives you much better control over separate aspects. Go for it; leave hair ripping for later, when something really frustrating happens!

When you feel confident enough, you can copy/paste portions of your upper water, flip and position at bottom of added Canvas space, add some more shadow, and simulate a better crop.

[JJthethird]

JiminyClickit, I have started to try a little bit of work with layers and you are right, up until now it has been fun and interesting I didn't know that I could do so much with Elements. I've still got a lot to learn though but I'll keep plodding on. Hopefully I'll not be bald too soon!!LOL
Thanks, John.

[JJthethird]

I have just been experimenting with layers as you suggested Jiminy and the results....in my opinion...are amazing, for me anyway.



Thanks again, I didnt think that I could get my images like this!!
You may not be able to tell until you see them side by side.
John.

[purplepixie]

Wow - nice improvement
Just one little niggly thing: careful of the soft white blurry outline around the duck's head - use less feathering on your selection - usually 0.5 to 1.5 pixels should be enough. That little bit of blur is always a dead giveaway of a retouch job.
Well done on experimenting with PP.

[jiminyClickit]

JJthethird,

You're welcome! Just remember stuff like this can be addictive (I'm up to maybe five edits a day).