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Just revisiting some of my fave images of this species from September last year. The owl is totally wild, hence why I really didn't have much choice on where it'd land. :o I'd have preferred a natural perch, yes. Her left eye was injured. :(
30D, 300/4L IS + 1.4x, ISO400, f/8, 1/125th, HH, 430EX @ +1 with beamer, full frame image
Beautiful Akos! I like the composition you've got here, and the details you've captured in the bird.
Akos:
Love your subject, they are great looking birds.
The flash effect is a bit overpowering for my taste however. I know, you had to have it, but think you can tone it down a bit. The perch can be downplayed a bit too. The following shows a quick pass at that, with selections converted to multiply and linear burn mode. You certainly can adjust to taste, but I think it does downplay the 'flashed look' a bit.
Cheers
Randy
Lucky you, to have captured this individual in the wild. I'll leave it up to you regarding the repost as you were there. I very much like your composition and respect your talent for creating this sharp image with such challenging condition.
Hi Akos,
A unique shot of a barny with an injured eye. Barn owls are pretty rare in Missouri; I've never seen one. I've always been a sucker for rusty fence posts in photos so I love this shot.
DB
Amazing image, Akos. Fantastic pose and details.
Really like Randy's repost a lot too; the slightly softened light works beautifully.
Your work in the dark is admirable, as is Randy's work on the computer.
Was just revisiting this series on your website today mate:D Fantastic work, I think somewhere between your original and the repost would be spot on in terms of light. As you know, I have been doing a bit of night photography myself lately. Should I be turning high speed sync off like you have done here? (Assuming it was off seeing how you have shot at 1/125th)
A very nice example of excellent night flash photography!
Excellent job working a wild owl at night. I do like what Randy did to minimize the flashed look, but it's hard to avoid in total darkness.
Good looking owl Bro, and what a pity about the eye. Great flashwork, as we only normally have one go before they fly off. I would go for an inbetween of yours and Randy's post. Still, well captured mate.
Thanks for looking everyone. :)
Randy, I like your suggestion and it does make a diff. Thanks.
Paul, funny you mention that mate, I never turn HSS off on the flash. Probably just habit, but I suppose if I do, I will forget to switch back on and the day I do is when I won't have the flash the moment I need it fast. :)
These guys and girls were quite tolerant for a couple of weeks. There was an abundance of prey and they were probably too busy feeding to worry about a birdarazzi stalking them. In all honesty, I almost got full frame shots of faces at 420mm as I got to within about 5m of them. But ever since that time, all Eastern Barn Owls showed a bit if fear, at least to a degree of not being able to get within 10m at all other times thereafter.
Another Outstanding Owl image.
