Eyes Wide Shut

[Jim Fenton]

Eastern Screech Owl ~ Grey Morph this morning. I'll be trying for this beauty on a cloudy day for more subdued lighting.

Nikon D3, 500 VR, TC14EII, ISO 800, 1/640, F9, CW metering, -.3 EV

[Randy Stout]

Jim:

Sharpness, feather detail, pose, all very nice. Such a cute little guy.
The only issue for me is the cut face of the trunk to the birds left. It tends to pull me away from the bird.

Cheers

Randy

[Jim Fenton]

Don't at all disagree but as this is where it's spending it's winter.....I don't think I'd get to far with asking it to find a better looking home :)

[Danny J Brown]

These little screech owls sure seem to be obstinate about opening their eyes during the day. Of course I'd be thrilled to run across a screech owl with its eyes closed or open. Great shot and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your little friend.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Who says you need to see the eyes to make a great photo. this works wonderful just as it is.

[David Thomasson]

I like the eyes closed. You so often see owls with that big round-eyed stare, it is interesting to see one at rest. He is the very picture of comfort and serenity.

For that dark patch at right, it's easy to paint some color on it and then lighten it a bit.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7053/owlcs.jpg

[Randy Stout]

David:

Nicely done.

Randy

[Jim Fenton]

Hi David.

I like it and guess I need o figure out exactly how you did it?

[David Thomasson]

Hi David.

I like it and guess I need o figure out exactly how you did it?

Sure. Open a blank layer and change blend mode to color. Sample color from elsewhere on the tree and paint over the gray spot, 100% brush opacity.
If the saturation is too high or too low, resample from a different source and paint again.

One way to lighten: Open another blank layer, change blend mode to overlay, and paint with white. Here, lower brush opacity to 10%.

Another way: Open a curves adjustment layer, change blend mode to luminosity, push the middle of the curve up to lighten everything.
Invert that mask and paint with white where you want to apply that effect (low brush opacity here as well).

[David Thomasson]

David:

Nicely done.

Randy

Thank you.

[Ted Willcox]

Very interesting image. I like your title. I like what David did. Nice of him to explain the procedure.
Ted

[DanWalters]

Like the feathers and the surrounding tree. Like the repost because the right is a little less distracting.

[Marina Scarr]

Hey Jim: How luck you are to have found this little guy...eyes closed or opened. Do you have any captures with a little more space all around? I would be curious to see how it would look as is with just more of the enviroment included.