Red-Tailed Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted January 10, 2011176 views15 comments

This is sort of a repost of my last posting. A few people suggested getting more light in the eye. this has been processed a bit differently and is actually about 4 frames later in the sequence because on careful scrutiny, I thought it was a bit crisper. The entire image is a bit brighter and I did selectively brighten the eye and increase the saturation just a little bit.

I'd be interested in which you prefer.

7D, 500mm f4 + 1.4TC, hand held from car, f7.1, 1/160, iso 640, noise reduction with Neat Image, processing in CS4. Cropped from 18 to 4.5 MP.

I always appreciate your comments and criticisms.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 10, 2011 at 12:06 AM

Hi Dennis. Much prefer this version. For me seeing into the eye in a portrait is especially important. Nicely done on the processing.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 10, 2011 at 12:36 AM

Amazingly sharp for handheld at 1/160. The noise reduction software might have cost you a bit of detail, but still crisp and a fine capture.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 10, 2011 at 4:04 AM

Luke,
to be honest, I missed your previous version. This one looks quite a great portrait to me.

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on January 10, 2011 at 7:34 AM

I much prefer this version, the intimacy is still there but it allows us to enjoy more of the detail captured - even the story behind the bloody feathers is more apparent. As Keith, I always prefer a brighter eye, since it is the fundamental focal point of almost all avian shots. Excellent 'sort of repost'.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 10, 2011 at 8:18 AM

We certainly see the bird much clearer in this image, Dennis: more detail and even a slightly larger image. Even the color is lighter. This is more of a conventional bird image. The original surrendered detail in return for a darker, more mysterious, mood. I must admit that I too am more accustomed to the conventional and appreciate detail more than mood in this case anyway. The repost has my vote.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on January 10, 2011 at 9:28 AM

Great portrait of a wild redtail..Getting this close doesn't happen every day! I like both versions, but prefer this one.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 10, 2011 at 1:07 PM

I like the face shot and I do prefer this posting. I will try and obtain some head shots of birds in the future. Dennis you motivate me. Thanks

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on January 10, 2011 at 3:40 PM

I can feel the feathers. Good job.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 10, 2011 at 4:04 PM

Dennis,
After bouncing back and forth I will have to say that this is the better photograph.When you posted the first one I saw a cool, dreary ,day with the Hawk hunkered down after a meal,trying to stay warm while still being alert.With this one that feeling is surrendered.Probably for the better.I enjoyed both and would be proud of both.

Thanks
Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 10, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Dennis, nice portrait.
That's some feat for 1/160. Good job on the processing.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 10, 2011 at 7:15 PM

Dennis, I too prefer this version for the better lighting and detail, esp in the eye. Looks good for only 25% of the original image.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 10, 2011 at 10:26 PM

Dennis, I think I'd go for the comp of the first one combined with the brightness of this one.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 11, 2011 at 8:32 AM

Dennis,

I am amazed that you have that much detail with the crop size. This is a great hawk portrait that I wish I could get. If I keep paying learning and working at it maybe it will happen.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM

This is really nice. Lots of detail. Love the bloody beak.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 12, 2011 at 10:52 AM

Like this one better Dennis, that all important eye is dominant here.
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments