Posted by Iain Tookey on December 22, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Driving home from work late this afternoon, beautiful and sunny, camera in the boot, so thought it rude not to stop off at my Barn Owl spot to see what I could see.
Immediately on arrival, I saw this fellow hunting. Unfortunately, the camera was still packed and I was still in the car when he/she caught a vole, and was promptly mugged for it by a Kestrel! It was only about 20 feet from the car at the time, and I would have dearly loved to show you pictures of that, but alas....
Anyway, I got a few shots of the same bird half an hour or so later, but didn't hang around too long as I was conscious of disturbing it any more than necessary during what must be a pretty lean time for them.
I've tried a different processing technique to my usual courtesy of some information Major Gilbert posted in response to my question, and would be grateful for any feedback on this. It's mainly selective sharpening via masks, but I appreciate the bird may be too small to be much use!
I've deliberately kept the bird smaller in the scene than I usually would, as I like the snowy background and fenceline, but again any comments welcome!
Ian - that's a beautiful image. The light is fantastic. One thought: how about cropping around 20% off the top and right?
(Hope you don't mind an interloper from RMNP commenting. I'm about to fly off to the UK from Denver tomorrow, so am thinking all things British...)
Posted by Nigel Spencer on December 23, 2009 at 3:15 AM
Very nice, certainly not to small but a bit off the right and possibly the top would help in my opinion.
Posted by Jeff Harrison on December 23, 2009 at 3:32 AM
Lovely shot Ian - nice lighting on the bird and I agree that the fenceline/background gives a feeling of the bird's environment
Posted by Ian Butler on December 23, 2009 at 5:40 AM
Great shot Iain. Beautiful light and composition as is but like the comments above may help with that touch off the right and top (or even just the top to leave the habitat in place and have a pano). The selective sharpening works a treat aswell. great work!
Posted by Philip Newman on December 23, 2009 at 6:19 AM
Great lighting detail and composition. Processing looks fine too. Agree comment about trim off top and RH side.
Posted by Iain Tookey on December 23, 2009 at 6:21 AM
Thanks all for the comments and feedback, most welcome!! :)
I've had a go at cropping in line with a couple of the comments, and agree it looks a lot better.
Posted by Ian Mason on December 23, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Superb shot of this owl in its environment. Just enough detail in the background. I might crop even a little more from the right. I love it!
Really like the second image. Lovely light on the Owl. Very nice indeed.
Posted by Craig Jones on December 23, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Beautiful Barn Owl Image,stunning evening light makes this image IMO nice to see the landscape alittle too,a lovely image
Posted by Guy Rogers on December 23, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Hello Iain.
Now thats nice and lighting is perfect.
Posted by Liam Pauling on December 23, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Great image, I really like the snow and fence they add to the image.
liam
Posted by Major Gilbert on December 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Glad to see you trying things out Ian and it works well.
Like the crop but just a small point relating to the info. It doesnt always suit every occasion and dont overdue it otherwise sometimes the main subject can appear to be pasted on if you see what I mean.
Discussion
12 repliesImmediately on arrival, I saw this fellow hunting. Unfortunately, the camera was still packed and I was still in the car when he/she caught a vole, and was promptly mugged for it by a Kestrel! It was only about 20 feet from the car at the time, and I would have dearly loved to show you pictures of that, but alas....
Anyway, I got a few shots of the same bird half an hour or so later, but didn't hang around too long as I was conscious of disturbing it any more than necessary during what must be a pretty lean time for them.
I've tried a different processing technique to my usual courtesy of some information Major Gilbert posted in response to my question, and would be grateful for any feedback on this. It's mainly selective sharpening via masks, but I appreciate the bird may be too small to be much use!
I've deliberately kept the bird smaller in the scene than I usually would, as I like the snowy background and fenceline, but again any comments welcome!
Nikon D300
Sigma 300mm f2.8
1/1000s f5.6 ISO200
(Hope you don't mind an interloper from RMNP commenting. I'm about to fly off to the UK from Denver tomorrow, so am thinking all things British...)
I've had a go at cropping in line with a couple of the comments, and agree it looks a lot better.
Now thats nice and lighting is perfect.
liam
Like the crop but just a small point relating to the info. It doesnt always suit every occasion and dont overdue it otherwise sometimes the main subject can appear to be pasted on if you see what I mean.
Major.