Mouseover to see the Original RAW
I have a good friend and he follows this photoblog regularly. He’s a gritty, artistic-type guy and I think he really cringes when I post pictures of cute, fluffy creatures here on Being In Focus. I’ll get a call later today and I can already hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice: “hey, I was checking out your blog this morning–nice shot of another bunch of birds.” I try my best to be deep and meaningful, I really do, but come on…how could I not post this picture of a brace of ducklings taken yesterday on my lunchtime walk? I have a daughter for crying out loud; this kind of shot makes her smile for a week! Daddies need those smiles to live.
Happy spring everyone!
[I'm ribbing my friend a bit here. He won't say that really; he'll actually make up something very nice to say.]
34 Comments
This is *so* Make-Way-For-Ducklings, I can’t stand it. But I’m in kiddie lit mode, so that connection was bound to be made. I like the processing… makes a brace of ducklings even more special.
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I’m telling you Corinna, they were so damn adorable. They swam a mile a minute and pretty much like they owned the pond. Thanks!
Oh..this is so sweet..and absolutely irresistible!! Here – the ducks are barely even nesting..let alone having their babies. And – I just love your processing. Picture perfect!
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Thanks so much Marcie!
i find this an interesting scene. usually i find the mothers leading the way and the babies struggling to keep up. here it is the other way around
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Mommy was in the lead for a short while but they soon rocketed by her–thanks Ayush!
Really beautiful!
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Thank you Afsoon–I really appreciate the comment and that you visited my site!
Say it with me WELCOME SPRING! Great shot of mother nature in action. There’s nothing that will bring a smile to my kids faces like those fuzzy headed little ducklings. Thanks for sharing this one and I’m glad you’re able to squeeze in time for your lunchtime walks again.
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Thanks Michael–it was great to get out for a walk again. They’re short but really helpful especially given how stressful work’s been lately. Not sure if you noticed but I was a bit aggressive with my edit and one or two of the duckling’s heads are slightly distorted from the original. My kids have been making me do the mouseover in rapid succession–it makes the ducklings look like they’re dancing.
very original high key, perfect also in contrast, very very clever your presentation Chris, nice weekend
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Thank you very much Fabrizio–really appreciate that. Hope you have a great weekend too.
Spoken like the wonderful father you are. How can you not pass up this image, so adorable is this family of ducks. I like the high-key, painterly rendition… reminds me of a Robert Bateman painting.
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It really does have the look of a Bateman doesn’t it? Thanks Doug–enjoy your weekend!
Hehe about your friend possible words, i love that image (and yet, i don’t love ducks ones, often so boring !), this one is super not only because cute but i love the geometry – a familial one, in their positioning, the single one between mom & colony of sibling is excellent to be the link in-between and your high key processing works utterly. Your spring… spings !
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Thank you so much k@. They were so adorable–it was a lot of fun to watch them steaming around the pond.
Excellent photo!
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Thanks Theys!
This isn’t a fluffy, feel good image in my opinion. I like how you’ve whited out the water not contained in the small wake they’ve made. I’d frame this one if it were mine.
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Thanks Sherri–I really appreciate that. I was just poking fun at my friend who is always encouraging me to take grittier shots. He told me he actually liked this one and I think I believe him.
brilliant processing, great idea
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Thanks so much Krunal! I really appreciate that!
what a great family pic and metaphare for spring; comosition and cut are execellent, very well done – thanks for sharing !
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Thank you Michael–much appreciated!
very interesting and beautiful moment to capture and when you write about it then becomes like a story for me……
another great post sir
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Thank you so much Ayesha!
fantastic! love your processing also
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Really appreciate that yz–thank you!
cute, cute, cute .. the only and perfect word for this shot. More white in the left top corner and they swim out of your blog
)
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Thank you Klaus–I really appreciate that!
This is an awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww moment for me. You know me and my love for them fluffies
The processing is pretty cool! This looks like a page from The Wind in the Willows. I love the book
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Thanks Annie! You’re too funny!
Very lovely processing! And they’re some really cute ducklings..
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Thanks Visioplanet!
Lovely and interesting picture
Excellent post-processing – high key is great
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Thanks very much Andrey–appreciate that!
What a fantastic scene! This just makes me smile…sweet shot!
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Thank you so much blue!
Your picture is great (framing and angle of view) and your submission of two photos (before and after treatment) as very well. A superb and interesting shot, Christoher.
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Merci beaucoup Olivier!
Cute happy family! Your processing really makes the image pop out. You’ve inspired me to think about the final image differently thanks!
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Awesome! Thanks Rob–I really appreciate the visit and your comment!
This is such a cool shot! Love the ‘high key’ result. Great shot!
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Thanks Mike! Much appreciated!
I absolutely LOVE your edit Christopher.
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Thank you Kala! I really appreciate that! I struggled with the shot for quite a while–I’m really glad you think it enhances the image.
After 15 years as a stock photo editor, I, like most of the breed, ) was never ever able to predict precisely which image was going to be THE seller..
And eveny after 250+ picture posts, I’m still unable to figure out why some pics get 12 comments – and others get 50.
My conclusion is that it all boils down to serendipity. All you can do is go with what you like – or brings a smile to the face of someone special.
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That’s fascinating George–I haven’t come close to taking the volume of shots you have over the years but I can concur that I’m constantly baffled by what turns out to be popular. I’ll often post something that I love and it gets a very tepid response when something I’m far less sure about gets rave reviews. It’s an enigma.
love the blown out version … nicely done!
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Thanks Crash–I really appreciate the comment and your visit!
cute and fluffy and a beautifully composed shot Chris
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Thanks so much Gemma!
Christopher, your post-processing made it really unique!
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Appreciate that PixeLuz–thanks!
Muy buen procesado, mucho mejor que la original. Me gusta!
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Muchas gracias Luz – Realmente aprecio eso!
great shot of this ducks family ,and usually the mother is at the front ,it’s amazing the number of kids she have
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Thank you very much Noel!
wonderful work, styl, postprocessing …
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Thank you Klaudia–much appreciated!
Very nice work !
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Thank you very much–appreciate that!
Haha, shoot what you like. Always!
Absolutely–it’s the best advice!
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Who could resist! they are lovely and you have captured them to perfection!
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Thank you very much Roxy–I really appreciate the comment and the visit!
so sweet!
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Thank you Joshi!