Eastern Screech Owl Portrait

[Ashleigh Scully]

Hi -

I went back again today for a few minutes. I thought we had some sunlight but it quickly went away when we got there. I wanted to try AV mode this time. Once it got cloudy I adjusted my settings and by that time the owl had sat down in the hole a little bit so I only got his one shoulder and head this time.

Canon EOS 5D MIII
Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4xTC

AV
ISO 1600
f/6.3
1/250s

Tomorrow if it's light enough I want to go back to Manual and try the settings Arash suggested: 1600 ISO, f/5.6, 1/2000s if the sunset light is right.

Cropped about 20% off in PS, darkened everything but the owl, did a USM of the owl only and lightened the eyes a tiny bit. Also increased saturation and vibrance a little on the owl. Did the sharpening last.

Not what I was trying for today but I like it a lot. I thought this closeup portrait looked nice.

[John Robinson]

Asheligh
That's better!! Iknow the bird is off centre but I quite like it.! 10 out of 10 for perseverance !! Well done.
Keep at it.
John

[Ashleigh Scully]

Thank you Mr. Robinson! I would have posted a larger file but I could not get it under 400kb. Thanks for commenting.

[John Robinson]

Asleigh
Noi problem but please don't call me Mr Robinson.
makes me feel old and I,m that altready!!:bg3::t3
Cheers
JohnR

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ashleigh, this is awesome! Love the crop, love the look the owl gave you, and I love the cavity it is sitting in. I would just eliminate what looks like a small black hole near the top of the frame as my eye wanders there a lot due to it. Well done!

[Bill Dix]

They keep getting better, Ashleigh. This is great. Very nice work on the processing.

[Troy Lim]

Keep them coming, can't wait to get some this season too.

[Aidan Briggs]

Nice soft light and composition Ashleigh! Details also good. Just a suggestion for the next shoot; you don't need 1/2000 for a stationary owl, I would raise the f/stop instead and try to get all of the tree bark in front of the owl in focus.

Looking forward to more!

[keith mitchell]

Ashleigh they keep getting better with each post, the owl looks lovely and sharp.

Keith.:S3:

[christopher galeski]

very nice Ashleigh,like the peeping look,good detail,agree on removing black hole,one on the left top,and small one on the right top,well done.