Mark Green and I have been chasing shots of this owl and his/her family for a good while now and a perched shot has always eluded us. This time we weren't even trying for them, we were after early morning foxes and of course this one came and sat in front of us.
This is 60% of the original (6mp) so you can see he was still further away than we would have liked, but I have posted this because it is the kind of wildlife shot that I like with lots of muted colours and some environment around the subject. For me it's not a shot of a barn owl so much as one of a barn owl in the long grass if that makes sense.
BTW concerning the recent discussions about posting and comments. Is it just me or are there far more images being posted than there were a year ago? I can't keep up unless I live in front of my screen these days, so if I don't comment on a post please don't take offence. Life just gets in the way.
40D; 500/f4.5 (yes Andy it's the same one, they did a good job at sigma)
f8.0; 1/60; iso 200
Even I can see that's a Barn owl on a post. Detailed definition is just not evident on my PC was this just beyond the lens range? Or maybe a crop too far? An envirounment shot but that's it.
This is a great example of the scenario which eludes to what the photographer is seeking to portray and presents or am I missing the point?
I have to say there is something about this shot which is nice, but I can't seem to put it into words. Looks a bit messy around the face from hunting?
I likes it anyway.
JR
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 28, 2009 at 5:13 PM
I think this is rather nice Eric - there's a couple of OoF elements I might be tempted to "dumb down" a tad, but it's very appealing imo.
Hi Eric i really like this,, its a real picuture and tells a story.
just to add this a wild barn owl in his natural enviroment, he has been hunting these fields for a good two years now..its not been baited , lured in any way. and has two young owlets its been feeding very hard over the past few weeks, (poor chap he must me knackered).
Ray, i am not sure what you mean by naturallty see?
Cheers
Mark.G
Posted by Simon Litten on June 28, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Well I think it's a lovely little shot - the long grass, the dishevelled state of the owl...it all tells a story. Nice one, Eric
I too am puzzled by Rays critique - and Barry's for that matter.
Sorry guy's I'm really either seeing something different or its my eyes/monitor I'm not seeing a sharp owl at all. Maybe its too much sun and heat 100s today can only speak as I find.
Thanks for the kind comments and for the honesty of those that aren't so keen. Eric
Posted by Scott Tilley on June 29, 2009 at 2:11 AM
Hi Eric. This works for me. This is very much the environment I usually see barn owls in when I go looking in the fens around woodhall spa. I usually don't get this close and have yet to get a decent shot. Would have been better without having to crop but I know exactly where your coming from.
Works for me Eric, if possible I might have attempted a slightly higher PoV just to get above asome of the OOF forground elements (as said I don't know if that would have been possible),
I like the size of the bird in the frame with the included habitat....
Posted by Dawn Monrose on June 29, 2009 at 7:11 AM
I really like this. Lovely muted tones and the bird looks sharp and well detailed to me. I like the oof elements as it has a voyeristic feel to it - peering through the grass observing an owl in its natural habitat.
Discussion
18 repliesThis is 60% of the original (6mp) so you can see he was still further away than we would have liked, but I have posted this because it is the kind of wildlife shot that I like with lots of muted colours and some environment around the subject. For me it's not a shot of a barn owl so much as one of a barn owl in the long grass if that makes sense.
BTW concerning the recent discussions about posting and comments. Is it just me or are there far more images being posted than there were a year ago? I can't keep up unless I live in front of my screen these days, so if I don't comment on a post please don't take offence. Life just gets in the way.
40D; 500/f4.5 (yes Andy it's the same one, they did a good job at sigma)
f8.0; 1/60; iso 200
C&C very welcome
Phil.
Even I can see that's a Barn owl on a post. Detailed definition is just not evident on my PC was this just beyond the lens range? Or maybe a crop too far? An envirounment shot but that's it.
This is a great example of the scenario which eludes to what the photographer is seeking to portray and presents or am I missing the point?
I likes it anyway.
JR
Nice image
Matt
just to add this a wild barn owl in his natural enviroment, he has been hunting these fields for a good two years now..its not been baited , lured in any way. and has two young owlets its been feeding very hard over the past few weeks, (poor chap he must me knackered).
Ray, i am not sure what you mean by naturallty see?
Cheers
Mark.G
I too am puzzled by Rays critique - and Barry's for that matter.
Simon
Stick at it!
Scott
I like the size of the bird in the frame with the included habitat....
That's a nice enviro shot. Looks like that long grass was a tad wet !! Look's sharp to me, I also think this is the Female,
Regards
Rob
My usual thing though is the eyes having no catch light.
Major
Nice enviro shot, those shots always come along when your not looking for them, well done !
Drew