Buzzard

50d 400mmf5.6 hand held

1/800"
F8
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Exposure Bias Value = -0.33EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Rather a large crop, C & C appreciated.

Kim,

This looks like it could be a nice shot, but I think the processing has gone wrong somewhere. Have you used neat image or something similar?

Rob

Hi Kim, i echo robs comments, the processing has gone wierd. !! dont know if its oversharpening , i have been trying to get a good shot of a buzzard for ages, so well done on grabbing this.

Cheers
Mark

Hi - I used Neat image only on the grass - I isolated the bird and inversed in photoshop. Sounds as though I have made a pigs ear of it!! I attach the original version which has just been cropped a little

I think the original needs only some minor tweaks here & there contrast perhaps levels too?

It's a nice image and can work just needs a little more work.

Drew

Here is the original with a few tweaks, levels a little adjustment+ b & c, small amount of sharpenning and no neat image. C & C appreciated.

I must admit they look OK , to me, on my monitors. A very nice capture.

Hi Kim,

Its a nice pose from the bird... I spent some time trying in the summer with no success....

Now to the processing, in the first image the use of Neat image is way too much, I would be interested in the steps you take when applying noise reduction, your third is better, however I feel that the second image, with a little bit of work would be the stronger of the trio.

When using a plug in such as neat image it is best to use it on a separate layer, you then have the choice of using a layer mask (preferable) or the eraser to apply the noise reduction only to the areas you want.

HTH

Phil

Nice Buzzard Kim
I agree with Phil. I prefer the second. Why did you need neat image anyway ?
Cheers
John

Nice shot, the pose is excellent and so is the comp. I think, looking at the original, it only needs a small amount of processing, a small tweak to curves just to add a little more contrast, as the exposure looks good as it is, then a slight crop and a few passes of unsharp mask would do the trick I think.

Phils tip about making changes on a separate layer is excellent, as that way you can compare the original with a single click. I should really try to remember to do it!

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. My final version had little done to it as you suggest Dawn but the layers advice when using Neat Image will be taken up!