Photo of the Week #5

5/1/2020

Title: Meandering
Photographer: Regina Hausmann

I have been trying to photograph some ducks (Mergansers, I believe). My opportunity arrived but not under ideal conditions. It was a foggy day and the ducks were very far from the shore.

I liked the silhouette and formation of the ducks. With Topaz Studio, the following artistic version was created. It is important to me to convey the feeling of calm on that foggy morning.

What do you think the picture conveys? How do you feel about the simplicity of the picture?

9 Comments

Dave Rathbun

5/2/2020 07:00:48 am

I certainly believe you’ve met your goal. The image portrays a calming scene of your grouping of four Mergansers on a quiet body of water. We often talk about the odd vs. even rule, the odd being a better means of drawing the viewer’s eye. In this case I feel the even number lends a better perspective to the formation of the ducks.

I do find myself being constantly drawn to the darkness of the vignette. You might think about reducing the effect a bit. Also, I had initially thought that the image might benefit from a slight amount of vertical cropping but after further viewing, decided that the central placement of the formation works well for this image.

Regina Hausmann

5/2/2020 11:04:43 am

Thanks Dave, I agree with you on the vignette.

Allison M Maltese

5/2/2020 07:18:03 am

I really like this image, especially the composition with two ducks taking you one way and the other two the opposite way. The panoramic cropping works well, and I like the quiet energy that the scene conveys. I do agree with Dave that the vignetting at the left and right edges could be reduced to smooth out the image.

Regina Hausmann

5/2/2020 11:05:56 am

Thank you Allison.

Sally Perreten

5/2/2020 07:52:06 am

THis is a lovely scene and a lovely mood! I love the reflections and the slight wakes from the ducks' movement. I agree with Allison and Dave that the vignette could be reduced a tad. I also wonder if you considered a very slight crop on the right and left edges - just a little. Have you experimented with different crops?

Regina Hausmann

5/2/2020 11:07:42 am

Thank you Sally. I will try different crops.

Jeannine S. Smith

5/3/2020 06:46:44 am

Peaceful, tranquil, silence, reflective....for me, calmness is felt. I find the cool tones very soothing here. The simplicity of the scene is it's power. There is lovely contrast seen between the ducks and the waters. I think a foggy day is one to be embraced for it invites depth, mystery, and contemplation. I also like your choice of a panoramic crop but am thinking a slight cropping to the lateral edges without loosing those lovely wake lines might enhance further.

Maryann Flick

5/4/2020 10:31:02 am

I agree with all the comments above. I think the positions of the ducks, even though centered in the frame, is balanced and lends to the serenity. They seem to be doing a circle dance. Well seen and captured Regina.

archie Stone

5/5/2020 04:37:03 am

When I first viewed it i saw a game of musical chairs. Then four ducks gone arie. (spelling). I think the way to handle the vignette is not to change the setting but to actually crop about a third off the right and left side. As it is now about half of the image is empty water. the crop would put more emphasis on the ducks and their actions. This would still leave enough of the water trails behind them, but make the ducks more prominent. I also think your right mergansers. nice image.

Photo of the Week #5

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Maryann Flick

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