Nature Mallards at Rest

Mallards at Rest · 12:01 PM

I spotted these ducks on the side of a city pond. I thought it was a throwaway as it was grossly underexposed, but then started playing with Aperture's curves brush, and was able to lighten the ducks while keeping the background essentially unaltered.

daacon · 09-09-2012, 01:14 PM

I think it is a keeper. Nice rescue.

GeoJerry · 09-09-2012, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by daacon

I think it is a keeper. Nice rescue.

Thanks... Still tinkering with this one. The effect looks like HDR but it isn't.

tessfully · 09-11-2012, 05:01 AM

Excellent work Jerry. Aperture is terrific for this kind of processing. You found the perfect balance. The water is gorgeous, mercurial, and the ducks are posing in such an appealing way. The dash of blue feather is wonderful too.

GeoJerry · 09-11-2012, 07:06 AM

Thanks Tess. I liked this little scene, and it was like a bonus since at first I didn't think it would amount to much.

slowpez · 09-11-2012, 07:19 AM

Nice save. Really like it. The position of the ducks couldn't be better.

Den · 09-11-2012, 12:34 PM

The ducks are almost glowing, yes looks a bit HDRish, but a cool shot for sure.

GeoJerry · 09-11-2012, 12:43 PM

Thanks Susan and Den...
Yes it does look like an HDR, but it's simply an underexposed scene in which I've lightened up the ducks, using Aperture's edge detection capability. I guess the resulting tonal compression is what makes it look like an HDR.

AussieTrev · 09-11-2012, 03:56 PM

Very sharp and well saved. Love it.

**rkappleby** · 09-11-2012, 04:16 PM

My Complements - that has a really nice feel to it - there is almost a water-colour texture to it and the composition is unique with the stonework in the lower portion. Very nice
Robert

GeoJerry · 09-12-2012, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by AussieTrev

Very sharp and well saved. Love it.

Originally posted by rkappleby

My Complements - that has a really nice feel to it - there is almost a water-colour texture to it and the composition is unique with the stonework in the lower portion. Very nice

Thanks very much for your comments, glad you liked it. I posted this picture on reddit and it was largely ignored

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09-09-2012, 01:14 PM	#2
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	I think it is a keeper. Nice rescue.

09-09-2012, 04:03 PM	#3
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Originally posted by daacon I think it is a keeper. Nice rescue. Thanks... Still tinkering with this one. The effect looks like HDR but it isn't.

09-11-2012, 05:01 AM	#4
tessfully Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: S. Algonquin, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,860	Excellent work Jerry. Aperture is terrific for this kind of processing. You found the perfect balance. The water is gorgeous, mercurial, and the ducks are posing in such an appealing way. The dash of blue feather is wonderful too.

09-11-2012, 07:06 AM	#5
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Thanks Tess. I liked this little scene, and it was like a bonus since at first I didn't think it would amount to much.

09-11-2012, 07:19 AM	#6
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,461	Nice save. Really like it. The position of the ducks couldn't be better.

09-11-2012, 12:34 PM	#7
Den Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington (State) Posts: 929	The ducks are almost glowing, yes looks a bit HDRish, but a cool shot for sure.

09-11-2012, 12:43 PM	#8
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Thanks Susan and Den... Yes it does look like an HDR, but it's simply an underexposed scene in which I've lightened up the ducks, using Aperture's edge detection capability. I guess the resulting tonal compression is what makes it look like an HDR.

09-11-2012, 03:56 PM	#9
AussieTrev Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,590	Very sharp and well saved. Love it.

09-11-2012, 04:16 PM	#10
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648	My Complements - that has a really nice feel to it - there is almost a water-colour texture to it and the composition is unique with the stonework in the lower portion. Very nice Robert

09-12-2012, 12:13 AM	#11
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Originally posted by AussieTrev Very sharp and well saved. Love it. Originally posted by rkappleby My Complements - that has a really nice feel to it - there is almost a water-colour texture to it and the composition is unique with the stonework in the lower portion. Very nice Thanks very much for your comments, glad you liked it. I posted this picture on reddit and it was largely ignored