Mallard Ducks – American River Parkway

by Sherri on March 20, 2008

Mallard Ducks at the American River Parkway, Sacramento, CA Last weekend, Jeff and I did a photo shoot at the American River Parkway in Sacramento. Our assignment was to capture photos of bikers on the Jedediah Smith MemorialÂ Trail, namedÂ the #1 bike path in the nation forÂ 2006 by www.trails.com. While we were scouting the area for great locations, I got a little sidetracked by these beautiful Mallards.Â Â

Digital art version of the photo above I love experimenting in PhotoShop. At first, I preferred the original shot. After looking at them for awhile, I have changed my mind. Now, I like the digital art version the best.Â Which one do you prefer?

1 Richard Wong March 26, 2008 at 7:02 pm: I would opt for the first because I typically don’t go for the gimmicks.
2 Sherri Meyer March 27, 2008 at 4:52 am: Thanks Richard. Jeff said the same thing. Maybe it’s a “guy” thing???
3 EmilyRose March 27, 2008 at 6:03 pm: I appreciate the color captured in the first more so than the effect. However they both are interesting
4 Richard Wong March 27, 2008 at 8:20 pm: No, I woudln’t say it’s a guy thing. But from a nature photographer’s standpoint, we’d almost always opt for what nature gave us to work with. Not to say that the 2nd one doesn’t look “better”, but it does fall outside of the realm of what is considered “nature photography”.
5 Sherri March 28, 2008 at 5:00 am: Thank you Emily for your comment. Stop by again.
6 Sherri March 28, 2008 at 5:13 am: Richard,

Thanks. I agree with you, but it’s still fun to shift the Paradigm once in awhile and explore beyond the current ways of thinking.