Bald Eagle Fight - Frame #2 [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 05:24 PM

This is the frame immediately following the one I posted last night. I promise not to bore you to death with this and will only post one more tomorrow night with the third eagle coming in to steal the food.
Canon 1D MK IV
F 500 and 1.4 X III
ISO 500
SS 1/1600
F 6.3
PP in LR3 and CS5.
Cropped by 60% so the IQ not up to BPN standards!
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

Karl Egressy

03-05-2012, 05:38 PM

I was absent during part of the weekend, but now I had a chance to look at the first picture as well. Both of them are amazing, Gail.

Ofer Levy

03-05-2012, 05:38 PM

This is a KILLER behaviour image!! Here is a repost with some boost in colours, contrast, slight crop and some more sharpening. What do you think?

Melissa Groo

03-05-2012, 05:59 PM

Wow, fantastic! These eagle images are indeed amazing, Gail. What a wonderful opportunity that you have made the most of. Ofer's repost is a big improvement to my eyes, really makes the birds pop against the snow. And don't worry, you could never bore us with these!

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 06:26 PM

Ofer,
I really like the PP you have done. Can you tell me exactly what you did?
Gail

Hazel Grant

03-05-2012, 06:42 PM

Keep "boring" us with such great shots!

Jack Breakfast

03-05-2012, 07:18 PM

In my most humble opinion (har har) the repost is very good, but if this shot were mine I would freak out from happiness and after that I would split the difference between the original post and re-post...

pat lillich

03-05-2012, 07:22 PM

Gail, bore us, please keep boring us!! awesome shot again!! And Ofer's repost is great - I'd also love to hear what he did.

Tom Rambaut

03-05-2012, 07:22 PM

I like the repost and the flying snow and positions of the birds make this image for me

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 07:39 PM

Here is my repost and I agree with Jack as I find Ofer's version a bit too dark so I boosted the blacks and neutrals in selective color and added +5 contrast and slightly warmed up the picture to bring out the browns a bit more. I also sharpened more as Ofer did.

Ofer Levy

03-05-2012, 07:44 PM

Thanks Gail - I am pleased you like it! As to PP - don't remember the exact steps but it's really very basic photoshop work. In this case I worked selectively on the birds as I didn't want to blow out the white in the snow. My first step is usually LEVELS adjustment, then boost in colours (needed quite a lot), some boost in contrast, slight 'smart sharpening' and some Topaz Details 2 (thanks Artie!), final tiny LEVELS adjustment, slight crop and that's it. :w3 I think that starting from the RAW file and getting the maximum potentail out of this image - you got an award winning image in your hands. IQ looks fine to me. So well done - congratulations!!
EDIT: just saw your repost. I think it needs a bit more punch and a tighter crop, my repost doesn't look too dark to me.

Sidharth Kodikal

03-05-2012, 07:48 PM

Fantastic series, Gail.
Again, excellent action and story here. I love the snow that's been kicked up. Good to know these are just mock fights where nobody gets seriously hurt.
Did you do anything to the eye of the eagle on our right or is there some pigmentation in his eye?

gail bisson

03-05-2012, 08:09 PM

Fantastic series, Gail.
Again, excellent action and story here. I love the snow that's been kicked up. Good to know these are just mock fights where nobody gets seriously hurt.
Did you do anything to the eye of the eagle on our right or is there some pigmentation in his eye?
Hi Sid,
I did not do anything to the eye. I put the cloning brush away for all these shots and trying to only touch up as a contest would allow but this is too big of a crop anyway at 60 % for any contest. I am saving the best shot for tomorrow IMHO!!
Gail
Hi Ofer,
Thanks for the info. I wonder if our monitors are different in the brightness department which might explain our own perceived darkness of the shot?
Gail

Ofer Levy

03-05-2012, 08:12 PM

Hi Sid,
I did not do anything to the eye. I put the cloning brush away for all these shots and trying to only touch up as a contest would allow but this is too big of a crop anyway at 60 % for any contest. I am saving the best shot for tomorrow IMHO!!
Gail
Hi Ofer,
Thanks for the info. I wonder if our monitors are different in the brightness department which might explain our own perceived darkness of the shot?
Gail

Yes, that makes sense. As to crop and competitions - if this is 60% of the original frame - it is more than enough for any competition IMHO.

Yves Guillot

03-05-2012, 08:25 PM

Nice action shot Gail! What about a tighter crop? The main interest in this, is the action, not the landscape. I think its impact could improve dramatically. Just a suggestion. congrats!

arash_hazeghi

03-05-2012, 09:14 PM

this is super love the action and Ofer's enhancement certainly improves this well done

Grace Scalzo

03-05-2012, 09:16 PM

Way good action. Ofer's work looks excellent on my monitor. You have some really special stuff here, Gail.

Cheryl Arena Molennor

03-05-2012, 09:45 PM

WOOOO awesome action here Gail. You must have had to contain your excitement. I do like the reposts as they do pop more. Nice job.

Dan Busby

03-05-2012, 09:52 PM

Very exciting Gail. You must be sitting there with a big smile on your face!

Mark Itol

03-05-2012, 11:48 PM

This is great, Gail. Amazing behavior captured here. My vote goes to your repost but with Ofer's crop (putting emphasis on the action).

Robert Holguin

03-06-2012, 02:29 AM

Wow!!!! Stunning image. Great action captured. Well exposed, great comp, and very nice detail. I really Ofer's repost.
Very well done.

Stu Bowie

03-06-2012, 09:48 AM

Hi Gail, another fantastic frame. With your previous post, I liked the timing of the 'attacking' eagle coming in. In this, I like how he is 'on top' of the defending eagle below. Good placement of the action, both pop from your snowy BG, and overall, well done for capturing the moment. I feel in your repost, you have introduced a touch of a yellow cast. I notice it in the whites, and along the wing of the eagle on the left. :w3

Dave Leroy

03-06-2012, 01:25 PM

Lovely action captured Gail. A family spat. Good for you to endure the conditions and get a great shot. Of the three I prefer Ofer's. You must be happy.

Kaustubh Deshpande

03-06-2012, 05:07 PM

Great action image, Gail. these you dont get every day. I like the comp. in the reposts. Well done. must have been very thrilling.

Frank Schauf

03-07-2012, 02:47 AM

A great dynamic situation, congratulations, Gail.