The male Harlequin Duck is a very colorful and beautiful bird, with bold patterns of dark slate blue, rusty orange, black, and white. This can make exposure of these birds, especially in direct sun, very difficult. Fortunately, modern technology and software such as Adobe Camera Raw make it possible to recover some detail in light and dark areas of contrasty photographs. Good post processing is no substitute for good technical execution during capture however, and when shooting boldly marked subjects, like Harlequin Ducks or Common Loons, being able to expose an image correctly becomes all the more important.

Techs: Canon 1D Mark II N, 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, 2x Mark II Extender, 1/1000s, f/9, ISO 320.  To order this print, purchase stock rights, or view other photos I have for sale, please visit my website at www.karipost.com.