Tawny Owl (c) + repost

Taken last year after a visit to Vince Jones at the Barn Owl Centre.I took so many images on that day back in March, but this has to be one of my all time favourites.

40D,300mm, f5,1/125th, ISO 500.

Fran

A great model and lovely colors. Set up is very well chosen.

Edwin Kats

Tis nice, perhaps a drop in levels, particularly in the mid tones? For presentation here I think it would be acceptable to remove the stray grasses on the left, but that is minor, like the wind blown plumage ( I think we really have had enough wind and rain)

Good daylight Owl shot.
I agree the bird itself needs a little more "oomph ! )
johnR

Nice work Fran and I would adjust the gamma (via exposure) in PS to about 90-85%, will give a little more depth to the bird and enhance a really nice image.

Brett

Don't know what I was thinking when I uploaded the first one, but here is the reworked version. I think it is a lot better, thanks guys. I hope it has more 'oomph' now!

Fran

In all honesty, the original looks much better to me! The owl looks completely washed out in the repost.

Hi Fran,

you have gone the wrong way it needed to be darker with a touch more contrast.

HTH

Phil

Hi Fran.. This is kind of what I had in mind and I hope you don't mind me posting it as a reply, but can remove if you like.. In PS I did the following.. Image-Adjustments-Exposure-Gamma Correction-87% (i.e. move cursor to the right)..

Hope that helps.. However this is only an adjustment to this JPEG in sRGB so you might have to tweak for the RAW file.

Brett

A great pose, and certainly the last image is the one I prefer.

It certainly frustrates me that other folks can look at my images and tell me what can be done to improve them. I guess that just comes with experience - at least I hope it will.

Hi Fran,

I like your Tawny Owl shot and do agree Brett's suggestion is the best.
Lovely side light and a beautiful bird i have much enjoyed myself during my visit at the BOC.

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel

A lovely image and Brett seems to have brought out the best in it for you. From now on I shall be forwarding all my pictures to Mr Lewis for processing !!
Robert

Thats a very natural looking shot for a captive bird, so very well done on the capture, like it loads.

Andy...

A superb shot - I like them all but the third certainly works best for me.

Hi Fran

Lovely shot that looks very natural

The first ones OK the second looks washed out and the third the best of the bunch

Thanks everyone for your help and support. I did the adjustment early thismorning with my eyes half shut, or open

Brett I much prefer your version, thanks for your help, it is a great improvement! I will go away and play with the raw file again.

One thing is for sure, I musn't give up my day job..doh!

Fran

Fran, the art was in taking a good image in the first place, the rest is often personal preference and, like you, I am learning all the time.. Look forward to more.

Brett

If ever a post proved the importance of getting it right in camera and the importance of post-processing it's this.
Lovely image captured by Fran and some equally good processing/advice from Brett = the best from the opportunity.

Mark

Lovely image and love the colours and portrait Fran

Thanks once again one and all.

Fran

Lovely shot Fran i like the way the birds feathers are moved with the wind and the back ground is perfect to this pair of eyes of mine.

Keith.

Hello Fran.

Nice capture and setting.

The only nit for me would be to clone out the small piece of black tie and string just behind the legs.

A great image Fran. I prefer your first image but think Brett's processing makes it even better. I think I will send all my images to him in future I shan't be giving up the day job either (unfortunately).