<<< o >>>out for a duck 26 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

As you're probably all aware, I've spent most of the last couple of months writing a book on HDR photography. Fortunately, the end is now in sight: I've written 41.5K words and have about 5K to go, so it will definitely be done by the end of this week. All of which is good news, because a) it's due on Friday, and b) I'm mightily bored with writing now :) The good news though is that I'm heading out to Dubai again on the 23rd - and will be out their for just over two weeks - so all being well I should have quite a bit of new stuff to post soon.

Anyway, as I haven't posted anything in ages I took my G9 to the park this afternoon - along with our four youngest and their scooters - and while I didn't get any shots of them I liked, I did manage to snap this duck.

captured
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cropped?
4.06pm on 14/1/09
Canon G9
f/4.8
1/50
aperture priority
+2/3
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80
44.4mm
no
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comment by Nicki at 09:19 PM (GMT) on 14 March, 2009

Well this is a funny motive compared to your "conventionally" pictures ;). I think about the perspective, the point of view you've choose. Near of waters surface? *splash*

comment by Blackpool Shows at 09:45 PM (GMT) on 14 March, 2009

Just found your site and all I can say is WOW! Amazing images, I love the ones of Blackpool you manage to capture the many aspects of Blackpool from the sea and piers to the tower they are great. Thanks for sharing them.

comment by Chris at 10:03 PM (GMT) on 14 March, 2009

Dave, I was very shocked to see a duck. Up close wildlife is not the usual subject. You really must not have liked what you captured of your youngest four children. The duck must have been last resort. I do like the image, nice profile, nice rippled reflection, this picture does well with black and white.

comment by LightningPaul at 11:12 PM (GMT) on 14 March, 2009

I like this one too. Very simple, elegant and beautiful toning. DOF is spot on.

comment by RD at 11:56 PM (GMT) on 14 March, 2009

Well, I think he is a most handsome duck, and worthy of your craft! He's practically smiling. The B&W works well.

comment by Albert at 07:40 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

Great reflections on the water and amazing sharpness

Good job!!

comment by cy at 07:42 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

have a wonderful trip!
i love the detail in this little guy!!

comment by Andrew Shepherd at 11:39 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

Dave - I like the b/w conversion on this. One thing I've noticed recently is that you've used the G9 quite a bit recently - I would interested to hear your reasons why (is it simply to save you lugging all your equipment round)?

Cheers

Andrew

comment by Carlos Garcia at 11:39 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

That duck was so nice to pose for you like that! Love the black and white detail. I don't know... the longer I look at the duck's position in the water, the turn of his neck, his eyes... it's almost as if he is thinking, "Any closer and you'll feel the fury of my bill!"

Great photograph.

comment by Krims@nline.be at 11:41 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

Wonderfull reflections ... really superb b/w conversion ... stunning details ... well done!

comment by djn1 at 11:43 AM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

Nicki: yes, this was shot from around an inch above the water.

Chris: the shots of the kids were ok, just not the sort of thing I'd choose to blog :)

Andrew: I tend to use the G9 when we take the kids out, as it's a lot more convenient, and as I haven't had any time to go out shooting on my own over the last couple of weeks I haven't been shooting with my DSLR.

comment by Ilan at 04:59 PM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

It's hard to believe what a magnificent quality can be achieved with that small camera.
I just bought GX200, hope it will serve me at least as good :)
Awesome photo, good luck with the book, sound exciting :)

comment by Stephen at 05:09 PM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

It's a bit disconcerting that a publisher considers a book finished based on word count.

comment by Briony at 06:47 PM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

beautiful

comment by djn1 at 08:59 PM (GMT) on 15 March, 2009

Stephen: the book is divided into a fixed number of sections, each of which is divided into a fixed number of spreads. For each of the spreads the publishers have requested an average number of words, hence the word counts. And by "finished", I mean that they will have the first draft - all being well there won't be any revisions, but I'm not banking on it :)

comment by will pattison at 10:09 AM (GMT) on 16 March, 2009

i had to laugh as well, since i think this is the only image i can vouch for you taking of an animal. it proves two things, however: a truly great photographer can make anything look good, and once again...the g9 is a great little shooter!

wp.

comment by Robbie Veldwijk at 06:47 PM (GMT) on 16 March, 2009

great photo! Nice close and good shapr. The reflection gives the special effect!

comment by aurore at 06:49 PM (GMT) on 16 March, 2009

magnifique texture, et n&b!

comment by micha at 02:43 AM (GMT) on 17 March, 2009

I am not into animal's pic but i just love that one! It is so perfect! Well done.

comment by Alex at 01:34 AM (GMT) on 18 March, 2009

Loving it!

comment by kate at 02:51 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2009

could it look more human? ;)

comment by Tom at 10:48 PM (GMT) on 22 March, 2009

Heh - really cool shot. He's watching you...

comment by Jason at 11:21 AM (GMT) on 26 March, 2009

These photos are SO much better in larger size than the small 200px thumbnail in your RSS feed, I hadn't realised how good they were until browsing your actual site tonight. I'd appreciate if you had the time and bandwidth to increase the resolution for RSS readers (600px or more), but I must remember myself to actually 'visit' your site more often! Thanks.

comment by mikey at 12:24 PM (GMT) on 26 March, 2009

Awesome photographs still Dave, good to see after few years you are still going strong!


comment by Tecoloxtitla at 12:34 AM (GMT) on 3 April, 2009

Love High Contrast

comment by steve deer at 10:31 PM (GMT) on 20 April, 2009

superb dave... somehow I missed this entry.... do you use filters with the g9?