Doesn't have the kick - Long Legged Buzzard

[pankajratna]

Hi Folks,

Got this beautiful image of Long Legged Buzzard chasing a grass hopper. Even though I am at right place at a right time, the image doesn't have that kick that pro images have. I just adjusted levels a bit and sharpened. What other workflow should I be following?

This was clicked using Canon 1DMKIIN and 400mm/F5.6 at around mid day in a grasslands near Lucknow City, India.

Looking to learn from your insights.

Cheers

Pankaj

http://500px.com/photo/20200123

[Jeff Cashdollar]

pan,

Thanks for posting this interesting moment in the food life cycle. The first thing that comes to mind is - we need the exposure information (shutter, aperture, ISO, exposure mode & metering mode) to properly critique the image. The image is out of balance due to the distracting bottom section - it adds no value and needs to be cropped.

I see noise in the image as well what was the workflow used and is this JPEG or RAW. Please provide more information and we will go from there. It is a nice image but the next step is to crop so the subject is enhanced, the story is properly conveyed and process the image correctly. Remember, every image has sections foreground, subject and background - they must blend and complement each other. In this case the foreground competes against the subject. In stead of looking at the amazing grasshopper my eye is looking at the dark stuff on the bottom edge. On balance, you have a good eye and caught a great moment - now finish the job and place our eyes on the action.

[pankajratna]

Thanks Jeff. My fault of not providing exif data.
F/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 200, manual mode, evaluative metering.

Now that you pointed out, I also feel that foreground is competing with the subject. My initial thought was to portray the habitat and the fact that it was take at ground level.

Photoshop Workflow:

The image was shot in RAW. I did the following:
1. Open is Camera Raw
2. Increased the exposure to +55 as image seems under exposed
3. Did the first bit of sharpening in Camera Raw: Sharpening Amount: 78, Radius 0.6, Detail 28. Noise Reduction - Luminance 28, Color 0

The opened it in PS and did the following:

1. Adjusted the level in a new layer,
2. Cropped
3. Merged Layers and then
4. Filter - Sharpen - Unsharp Mask: Amount 150 and radius 0.3
5. Changed the mode to 8 bits and saved as JPEG file.

I too now after zooming see the noise. Let me know if there are issues with my post processing work flow.

Cheers

Pankaj

[Nancy Phillips]

This photo shows biological information, a major plus in any wildlife photo. I can't help much with post-processing, being a novice myself.

[Colin Gilyeat]

The image seems very flat to me, maybe increasing the contrast would help. But I really like the composition and the overall look of the image.