Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

[Jonathan Ashton]

• OM Digital Solutions OM-1
• OM 150-400mm F4.5 TC
• ƒ/5.6
• 340mm
• 1/1250s
• ISO 1250
• Flash not fired
• Thu, 06 February 2025 2:11 PM
• DxO PureRAW 4

I spotted this Goldeney under a bridge and noted the golden light which Ithought complimented the eye very nicely.

 

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Jon ... they are so cool and pretty ducks . I missed them here close by .... as I was away for a week . Checked today but no Golden Eyes there ... they moved north I guess .

I do like the overall dark image ... with nice details and colors . Might be tempted to shed some light onto the subject to make it more pop . I see what you mean with the colors in the BG ... but a bit unsure if they do not take away some attention ?! Matter of taste .
Anyhow I would be pleased to get such image for now.

TFS Andreas

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks Andreas, it was pretty dark under the bridge but I'll take another look and brighten up the subject as you suggest.

 

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hey Jon ... i forgot to mentioned the lines in the image ???!!! Bottom and RHS
How do they get into frame ?

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

It must have been when I considered realligning the image - I missed that!

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Sorry Jon, but at 100% the eye isn't sharp and by whatever means of darkening the image is just killing the lovely white plumage. Crop rotation with Content aware is a bit of a oversight.

TFS
Steve

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

• OM Digital Solutions OM-1
• OM 150-400mm F4.5 TC
• ƒ/5.6
• 340mm
• 1/1250s
• ISO 1250
• Flash not fired
• Thu, 06 February 2025 2:11 PM
• DxO PureRAW 4

Steve, here's a revised version a bit brighter, I have corrected the dotted lines, there is no content aware cropping, I think the dots were due to me considering a reshape which I abandoned going back and forth on a smart object. The eye looks acceptable to me, I am not convinced I like the brighter whites but here it is for your consideration.

 

[Steve Kaluski]

I have corrected the dotted lines, there is no content aware cropping, I think the dots were due to me considering a reshape which I abandoned going back and forth on a smart object.

Just looked like you had two layers the top one rotated and the infilled on the shortfall, but...

As presented at 100% it's soft Jon, the head is slightly angled and I think you just ran out of DoF, just my take.