SEO

[Steve Kaluski]

Another frame from the encounter I had with these guys. The RH eye (as view) was in heavy shade and so I have left it that way.

Steve

Subject: SEO (Asio flammeus)
Location: Canada
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 500mm f/4 MKII with 1.4x MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/9 ISO1600
Original format: Portrait, very slight crop, almost FF
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2017

Those who know the area know just how difficult it would be to 'bait' these guys, but sadly I have had to add this in!.

Note: The subject is fully wild and completely unconstrained. Besides the potential impact of my presence, nothing has been done to intentionally alter or affect the ongoing behavior of the subject and, of course, there has been no use of any form of bait or other form of wildlife attractants (including vocalisations) in the capture of this image.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Neat owl, the open mouth reminds me of the recent Barred Owl I posted. Amazing how much the shadow has affected the right side pupil. Although I do remember from the Burrowing Owls seeing the same thing. I am heading a couple hundred miles south next week to spend time with the Burrowing Owls, I have made a mental note to watch the light carefully. I think owls are so unique, thank you for sharing this image.

[Isaac Grant]

Really interesting pose and I love the bird in the grass. Great job getting this guy to sit and not flush. You must have either a crazy bird or some serious ninja skills. :w3 Details look great on the bird. As noted the shadow on the right side is not ideal. On my screen the shot seems a little flat.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks guys,


You must have either a crazy bird

Never seen a SEO like this, he was one seriously chilled guy.

[/QUOTE]On my screen the shot seems a little flat.[/QUOTE]

I would check your settings Issac, how often do you calibrate your monitor and what ambient light is there in the room? I currently use two Eizo side by side 'Mirrored' with zero light in the room apart from the monitors, so all I see is the image on screen :S3:

[keith mitchell]

Hey Steve it's great to get a shot like this with the bird on the ground,I'm sure if you where so minded you could brighten the eye in the shadow but must admit I like it as it is,love the detail and the soft texture of the breast feathers.

Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

I'm sure if you where so minded you could brighten the eye in the shadow

Hi Keith, because the light was from the left it just created more shadow, and yes, I could lighten (lift) it, but you would have to go quite some way to do so, plus I really do not want to add any noise, albeit minimal. However, with the 1DX MKII & LR/ACR you can really push two main sliders in the main process stage, far greater than you ever can with the 1DX MKI and this does really have a massive input on the detail you can extract should you so wish.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, great eye contact and alert behaviour from the little guy, and I like your eye level perspective. I really like the detail on the face, pin sharp, and interesting to see the different pupil sizes due to the light/shadows. Well captured.

[Isaac Grant]

Checked on three screens and all look flat to me. And I've seen plenty of Short ears as well and have never seen one look like this. They are not this pale and would stand out more against the grass they are in. That's why I said it looks flat.

[Steve Kaluski]

Guess yet again we will disagree on look flat Issac? :S3:

BTW Why three screens, surely one for the image and the second for your working palette would be enough???

[Jonathan Ashton]

A fine shot Steve - very smooth clean file. It must have been quite an experience to have been so close.
I fully appreciate the lighting circumstance but I would have been tempted to lower the brightness slightly on the bird's RHS and lift ever so slightly the shaded area around the left eye, so there would still be a contrast but not quite so great.

[Isaac Grant]

You really like question marks :w3 I checked on 3 to see if my opinion would change or if something was off but came to the same conclusion on all 3.