Black and White Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted February 2, 2015161 views7 comments

We had been hearing that this owl was around the lodge grounds when we arrived at Sachatamia, but it wasn't found until a few nights later. This was my first attempt at photographing at night with flash as the sole source of light. I took several shots with the flash attached to the flash bracket on the lens, but wasn't satisfied with the results. Then enlisting the help of another photog from the group who held my flash gun off the bracket I was able to record this image.

Sachatamia Lodge Mindo, Ecuador

D810
500mm f/4
1/125s @ f/4
ISO 800
-2/3 FEC
Gitzo w/ WimberleyII

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 2, 2015 at 10:49 AM

Hi Chuck:

A very nice image of this Owl. Glad you were able to get someone to hold the flash off camera. That certainly helped. I'd take a look at burning the two upper branches as they are much brighter than the rest of the scene and have that flashed look to them. Other than that, this looks quite nice.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 2, 2015 at 11:47 AM

Nice owl with a good perch and lots of detail. The shot of course looks very "flashed".

Did you consider trying a long exposure with no flash? Owls are pretty good at not moving for extended periods of time.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 2, 2015 at 11:54 AM

Thanks guys for your comments. Yes, I think the flash look is unavoidable in this instance because it was used as the only light source. Many may not like the look, but after reviewing the techs from the image I'm pleased with the results. In hopes of getting the shot at a high ISO without flash, in the dark cloud-forest we were in, was to me not an option for the shot. I think loss of detail and extreme noise would have been an issue had I gone that way.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on February 2, 2015 at 5:16 PM

This is beautiful.
I love owls, and I might plan some trips in the future to either Ecquador or Costa Rica, and it would be great to see/photograph one of this.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 2, 2015 at 6:50 PM

Chuck, this is very well done. I understand the challenge you were facing with lighting, and I think you nailed it.

I've sought this species out in Costa Rica a few times, without luck, so I'm a bit jealous.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 3, 2015 at 2:08 AM

Much, much better than my shot of what was almost certainly the same bird. I agree that it's far too dark under there not to use flash. I also tried a spotlight, but the flash effort worked better.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on February 4, 2015 at 10:32 PM

Nice try and next time something a little different I suppose. Learning n the field. I carry several layers of white diffuser with me and rubber bands to cover flash for softer look. All said, I like the shot and it is a keeper. Start with reduce of highlight area on branch.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments