Eagle Experiment

Gallery: AvianPosted October 22, 2015102 views8 comments

This Juvenile Bald eagle flew almost in line with the sun just as it transferred the fish from it's beak to it's talons. I've been going back and forth over thisimage, because the sky was so badly blasted out in the original and the plumage was pretty dark since it was all in shadow and I had adjusted my settings for sunlit birds. Playing around with it, I decided to try a B&W presentation using Silver Efex. I also lightened the eye to bring it out a bit more.

7Dii, 500mm f4 ISL + 1.4TC, Jobu Gimbal on RRS legs, f/7.1, 1/2500, iso 500, manual exposure. Processed in LR5 & CS6 with Silver Efex for the B&W conversion. This has been through a lot of iterations, and I think I accidentally flattened one version, but I believe I added the gradient bg as well. Cropped to 5.3MP. Taken at 8:27 am on July 1st.

I appreciate all the comments on the Robin post and look forward to your thoughts on this one.

Thanks,

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 22, 2015 at 7:40 PM

The B&W treatment highlights the action here. I think you processed it very well - slight halo around the fish but not a big deal. Excellent capture and timing

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 22, 2015 at 11:27 PM

I have to be honest here Dennis. This is one of those images that I don't think any amount of processing is going to turn it into something that really works. The thought of B&W was a good one, but for me this just doesn't work.....

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

Comment posted by David Rowe on October 23, 2015 at 3:21 AM

Simply wonderful, Dennis! Your post photo black and white manipulation was executed to perfection – so much better than original colours in this backlit situation. The wide halo is a brilliant inclusion and emphasizes the dramatic aspect of the story. Excellent. David

Registered on December 20, 2013, 133 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 23, 2015 at 10:26 AM

I'll have to agree with Keith. Really worthwhile thought for something besides a rescue effort, though! cool

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

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on October 23, 2015 at 11:02 AM

I don't know, Dennis. I like it. I'd try to make it more of a graphic now that you've pulled all the possible detail out of it. Up the contrast so that the detail is hard to see and lighten the sky. Turns into an artsy image in the lemons to lemonaide category. Great job with a difficult situation.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 23, 2015 at 11:33 AM

Well Dennis, I don't know - on the downside the techs look not all that well, on the upside it has this vintage, art-like look that appeals to me a lot.. So, actually I am on-decided, but looking longer I tend to like it more and more enlightened

. Well so much for well formulated opinions LOL ... Have a nice weekend, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on October 23, 2015 at 10:45 PM

I have to die with Keith on this one Dennis. I know how hard it is though to give up on an image you really want to make work. Nice job thinking outside the box though.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on October 24, 2015 at 12:24 PM

Hi Dennis
The black & white works. It bring out the action and makes the Eagle stand out. Nice work.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments