mandymckechnie

E52327C2-5312-4620-BC76-3070D88A286C.jpeg

Female Mallard Duck about to take off

Female Mallard Duck about to take off
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Mar, 2023

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Awards

Contender in the Photography Awards

Spring 23 Award

Peer Award

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken at a local lake which I love to visit regularly. It is quite a large lake which offers plenty of opportunities for capturing action shots. I took up photography during lockdown so I’m very new to it with so much to learn.

Time

This photo was taken mid morning in March this year. It was great to see that the lake wasn’t frozen over. I was sitting on a lovely bench overlooking the lake and I had my flask of coffee at one side of me and my little dog at the other side. I realised I might be able to capture a side view of the water birds (a female Mallard in this photo) as they took off to fly over a knee high brick wall. As I lifted up off the seat, my dog Jett launched himself off the seat and managed to wrap his lead twice around my ankles. He’s great at scaring off the subject!

Lighting

I’m just learning about light, it’s quite scary right now. I do know when there’s a good natural light for a photo opportunity and when the background or composition is favourable because of the light.

Equipment

I have a Canon R5 and a Canon RF 100-500mm lens f4.5 - 7.1. I did not use any other equipment.

Inspiration

During my short photography journey so far, I realised I want to take action shots of wildlife in particular. I have practised so much, spending hours trying to get the technique right. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge and it brings me so much joy and pleasure just to be outdoors with a purpose and hopefully something to show for my efforts at the end of the day. Plenty go in the bin but that’s the learning curve. When I look back to just a year ago I can see how much I have improved and the photos that I thought were great now make me smile at my efforts.

Editing

Very basic post processing, crop, exposure, highlight. I have not got to grips with Lightroom and Photoshop just yet but I am looking forward to being able to use post-processing to enhance my photos.

In my camera bag

My bag is like a child has packed it. It is so disorganised and I cram as much in as possible, along with necessities for my dog and things in case something happens, you don’t want to know! I forget it’s for my photography equipment and that I’m not going out with my grandchildren or away for a week. More often than not I end up leaving it in the car as it weighs a ton by the time I’m done. Somewhere in there I do have two other canon lenses, a macro and a wide angled, spare batteries, cleaning cloth, waterproof lens cover, fold up three legged seat.

Feedback

Be conscious of where the main light source is and the direction of it. Try to aim for something a bit different from the “norm” by taking photos from different angles. Shutter speed needs to be high enough to capture the movement, birds are fast. Just enjoy yourself, it is such a tonic to be outdoors with a camera in your hand.

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mandymckechnie

mandymckechnie

E52327C2-5312-4620-BC76-3070D88A286C.jpeg

Female Mallard Duck about to take off

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow mandymckechnie

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