Ferruginous Portrait (c)

Gallery: AvianPosted April 13, 2012141 views8 comments

Hi All! I've been digging through some of my pictures from 2010 and 2011 lately and ran across this image of a Ferruginous Hawk, photographed while he was in rehabilitation at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, located a little over an hour away from us (which is good, or my kids would have me there every day).

I was about two weeks into digital when I took this, having just sold my pro film bodies and purchasing a lightly-used D2X. I shot so much those first few months in an attempt to get my brain around digital that this shot was simply buried in the masses, but I really like the impact it has and that intense eye.

This is photographed through the wire enclosure, with the lens pressed into one of the openings of the wire grid. I now know to dial some -EV in to control the highlights, but despite a tendency to toss images while being hyper-critical, this one has enough appeal for me that I decided to run with it anyway.

I tried a few different approaches in processing, then on a whim decided to run it through PS5's HDR Pro with my version of settings for more realistic, natural tonality. I opened my original file as well, and selectively blended the HDR version with the original. All that to say this is really close to what you see on the RAW file, but with a little more control of highlights and shadow detail.

Anyway, I love his fierce look here and feather detail, but am anxious to hear your thoughts on whether this works as presented or if there is room for further improvement. Thanks in advance for your time and comments!

Nikon D2X
Tamron SP 70-210 f/2.8 LD @ 160mm
ISO 200
1/640sec @ f/4
monopod mounted

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 13, 2012 at 4:01 PM

A very interesting comp John. I like it. The detail on the head is awesome.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 13, 2012 at 5:05 PM

Detail in the eye is spectacular. Great work in post processing to hold details in the whites. Since it was capture, my only wish is for a bit more DOF for that front wing.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on April 13, 2012 at 6:32 PM

Thanks, Ron and Keith!

Keith, I almost mentioned in my original post that the shallow and specific DOF was intentional at capture. I thought about shooting at f/11 or so to get the far side of the head through the close shoulder in focus, but really liked the way it looked at f/4 (I was still using my DOF Preview button back then!). I decided to do both but shortly after this capture the lighting changed dramatically and the hawk shifted position so I decided I'd leave with what I had.

Thank you for the suggestion, though...I don't disagree with you, and thought about it again while I was processing this. But in the end, ya gotta try your ideas sometimes, eh?

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 13, 2012 at 8:01 PM

I like the detail in the eye. I am with Keith on the DOF, but I certainly understand what you came away with. Very innovative processing, especially blending the RAW and HDR file.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 13, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Exceptional detail in that beautiful head!
I might crop a little off the bottom - the bright whites don;t add anything, and - for me - detract just a bit.
Fine image!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 14, 2012 at 3:09 AM

Very interesting composition, John. Well seen and executed. I'd be tempted to crop the whites out and have just that intense head.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 14, 2012 at 8:40 PM

Great image! I love the detail in the eye! I also like the lighting on the front of the face and the open beak.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on April 16, 2012 at 5:46 AM

Thanks for your comments and suggestions, everyone! Now that you've helped me think about that OOF shoulder/wing more, I'm increasingly intrigued with a square format and losing the white breast feathers altogether. I'll have to have another go at this once I'm done all the processing on our Yellowstone images!

Thanks again...

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments