Mandarin Duck Male
Feb, 2016Views
1367
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Top Shot Award
Member Selection Award
Spring Selection Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
Love it
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken on the river outside Arundel Castle in Sussex UK, The Mandarin duck may have come over to the river from the nearby Wildlife Wetlands Trust (WWT) Nature Reserve at Arundel.Time
It was taken on 27th April 2014 at 11.40am. My Partner and I were just out for the day as it was my Birthday the day before. It took me quite a while to get the shot I was after as in some places along the river were too shaded or not shaded enough, or the Mandarin Duck was facing the wrong way, It took me approximately 30 minutes to get the shot I wanted. As with everything in nature it is all unpredictable.Lighting
I like to use natural light and with this image the harsh light was defused by the tree's new leaves to give it a nice soft and natural glow. I feel it showed off the colours of the Mandarin Duck with the shaded sun. The newly formed leaves were not fully grown and it let a bit more light through than it would if the leaves were in full growth. The lighting was so good I used the following settings: 180mm with my Tamron 70-300mm lens, ISO 500 F4.5 1/320 Sec Shutter Speed No FlashEquipment
I used my trusted Sony A65 SLT camera which is 24.2mp and Tamron LD DI 70-300mm 1:4-5.6. I didn't use a tripod or monopod as such because I am partially Disabled and have to use a crutch as a walking aid it makes a very good monopod.Inspiration
I liked the colours and I love wildlife, I am always stopping and taking images of wildlife and nature, and spring time is one of the best times of year to capture great images of British Wildlife.Editing
I only do simple and minor post production in any of my images as I like to try and keep them all natural, I did however do a bit of noise removal, and a slight adjustments to the colours and Highlights. When I do adjustments they are done in Paintshop Pro X8, But for this image it was done in Paintshop Pro X5. I have found this much easier to use and understand than Photoshop.In my camera bag
Sony A65 SLT camera body, Tamron 18-200mm Lens for Sony Sigma 150-500mm Lens for Sony Yongnuo YN560 MK4 Flashgun (Nikon), and YN560 MK1 Flashgun (Sony) Nikon D3300 SLR Body with 18-55mm Kit Lens Sigma 70-300mm Lens for Nikon Autofocus Macro rings for Sony 2X Teleconverter for Sony Lens Pen Cleaning Kit Fly Leaf camera trecking rucksack Spare Batteries Ball Head TripodFeedback
I first picked up a Bridge camera in 2011 and found it helped me get over my depression which was a result of my physical disability, I have Spine issues in which I have had 3 lots of surgeries Between April 2013 and January 2015, Photography helps me to take my mind off it all. I have always loved nature and wildlife and enjoy being outside as much as possible. I moved onto my Sony A65 in 2012 My advice to anyone is, be patient as you may have to wait to capture the image at the right time, Plan your visits to places in advance so that you have the right equipment with you. There have been times I have gone out with a basic kit and then a Buzzard flies over and I could have done with my bigger lens which I left in the car. also Local camera clubs can help with getting advice from other photographers and also a great way of getting out on with a group to do some photography. Practice with the light you have around you so that when you do see the shot you want the camera is nearly or may even be ready with the correct settings for the shot you want. With nature it is hard to plan a image that you want, it is just a case of getting out there and enjoying what nature offers up to you
