Short eared owl patroling the marshes [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

Jonathan Ashton

03-05-2012, 04:35 AM

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS & 1.4tc 1, tripod, ISO 640 1/800 sec f5.6
I applied strong NR to the background and made a couple of quick masks to fill in some of the shadows on the plumage. A little selective colour to pop slightly, having previously tried linear curve which I thought was a little OTT.
All C & C welcome

Ron Sprunger

03-05-2012, 09:10 AM

I prefer this even to the previous post. Better wing position, IMO, and the post brought out a little warmer, brighter feel to it. The crop also leaves him a little more room under, and the grasses contrast with the far BG well. Well done, another total winner.

Richard Stern

03-05-2012, 09:35 AM

Hi,

Beautiful sharpness and details on the bird, nice wing position and blurred bg. With that crop I get a bit of a sense of being hemmed in, or a low ceiling, and personally I would prefer a wider crop all round to give a sense of the bird flying in a larger space. But that's just my interpretation.

Richard

Richard

Jack Breakfast

03-05-2012, 10:49 AM

Ah! No critique really. This one gives me the aches; it's evocative and warm and heart-pleasing. The color, the light, the bird's situation in the image, the pose, the blurred foliage...all of this really comes together for me. I like the crop as is, it draws me in.

Richard Unsworth

03-05-2012, 11:02 AM

Painted feel, great wing position, fixed stare is cool.
One of your best Jon - any more?

Jack Breakfast

03-05-2012, 11:32 AM

would add that i also like your choice of shutter-speed as the bird's semi-soft wingtips only add to the image's character and warming (key word WARM WARM WARM) feel

Sidharth Kodikal

03-05-2012, 12:10 PM

I just love the mood in this one, Jon. The soft evening light, the fantastic habitat and especially his don't-mess-with-me demeanor all add up to make this a wall-hanger for me.
Must've been an AF nighmare?

Stu Bowie

03-05-2012, 01:08 PM

Hi Jon, love the wing position of the owl, together with the concentrated hunting stare. Lovely light and colours, and I like the inclusion of the grasses below.

Stan Cunningham

03-05-2012, 01:45 PM

yep, your patience paid off.

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 05:03 PM

This looks like a painting. Great eye contact and I like the unusual crop. Beautiful neutral , warm clors,
Gail

Jonathan Ashton

03-05-2012, 05:18 PM

Thanks for the kind C & C everyone, glad to you like it - certainly took me long enough didn't it?

Frank Schauf

03-07-2012, 02:55 AM

Perfect comp and bg, nice work!