Great Horned Owlet

Hi -

This is my first post. I am a young photographer who enjoys taking photographs of birds and other wildlife. I recently did a workshop with Jim Neiger in Florida and he suggested I submit some of my photos here for feedback. This is a recent shot of a GHO nest near my home state of NJ.

I shot this with a Canon 7D, 500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x at 1/1000 (tripod mount, shutter release cord)

I only did some minor Unsharp Mask in PS and cropped slightly to align the owlet to the right side a bit. I know there are alot of branches, but I have not removed any yet.

Thanks for looking.

Ashleigh Scully

http://www.flickr.com/photos/awscully

Hi Ashleigh, and welcome to BPN. You will have fun here and will learn allot from all the great photographers here, I have. I like the light on the owlet and the eyes are sharp and clear. Good feather detail too. The obvious busy tree dose take away a bit from the shot but Im sure you will get better opportunities as you progress. Nice work.

Welcome aboard and a fine shot indeed of this chick. Sure the tree branches are there, but your capture is nicely exposed and I too like the position in the frame. I read that you are eleven, wow!!! Imagine your photography skills when you catch up with most of us "older" folks here!!! bravo for you, big thumbs up!

Welcome Ashleigh, very good first post. The owl is sharp and well exposed. Quite a nest the youngster is in.

Welcome Ashleigh. I'm too a recent member, joining early this year, and I have learned a lot from folks here. First I read about the shutter release cord and the 500f4 II + 1.4X TC and I wonder why until I read one of the comments that says you are only 11! What an impressive shot for someone that young. I love the details on the owlet and the sharp eyes with the catch light. Yes, those branches are a bit annoying, but they are good for the babies and offer some protection from other big birds. I would leave them as they are part of the nest. Lucky that you found such a nest and you used both a long lens and TC so that you are not so close. Well done!

Welcome to BPN Ashleigh!! You did well to listen to Jim:S3: I too read on your Flickr that you are 11 years old, I have to say that I am impressed! If it was not for that out of focus branch in front this would have been close to perfect. From the in-camera techs to the post processing I'd say you are well ahead of the curve for your tender age. Bravo, and keep it up.

Hi Ashleigh and welcome to BPN. This is a great place to learn tips from some great photographers. First off you have some pretty light to work with and you managed to focus well on the subject with some great detail on the owlet. Unfortunately it is quite a busy setting and the out of focus branch in front is a bit distracting to me. Not sure if removing it would work but I encourage you to get back out there and keep shooting as I am sure you will encounter more great images and as you learn you will continue to improve your skills and your images will just keep getting better.

Welcome aboard. Give yourself a pat on the back. This is a nice shot indeed. sharpness is fine. You were in a touch spot here but did quite well. Looking forward to more.

Raising the mid-tones a bit might help.

Hi Ashleigh, and welcome to BPN. Beautiful image to start.I like the environment,GHO,nice lights and composition.
Rest is mentioned above.

Regards,
Satish.