Snowy Owl

[Mike Veltri]

When ever possible I try and shoot birds that are back lit, looking for something a little different.
A few weeks ago, this male snowy owl took a couple of huge turns around me and two others flying into the sun and back out.
I was overjoyed getting a few different than the norm photos of him.


Canon 1Dx - 500mm F/4 IS
1/3200s @ F/5.6 ISO 400 HH

Thanks for looking,
Mike Veltri

[Mark Jones]

Hi Mike,

Lovely image with a nice creamy two tone background. The feather definition around the beak and chin is wonderful, as is the nice rim lighting. Looking at your image on my 17" Mac Book Pro, my eyes are drawn to the area above and behind the tail in the sky. I'm seeing some kind of pattern but can't be sure what it is. Did you clone something out of that area perhaps? Handheld too! Great job.

[Satish Ranadive]

Mike:
Some thing different,you have executed it very well.I like the flight pose against light,the light and shadows,nice two tone BG and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Mike,

I think the backlight helps add some feather definition along the edges, something that we usually lose when we shoot front lit. A very nice addition!

The image however, doesn't quite work for me. I think a better head angle would have helped. The tonality is too close between the background the the subject as well.

Miguel

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mike, this works for me, especially the backlighting on the tip of the far wing. I like the two tone BG, and would try a version lightening the eye a touch more.

[Marina Scarr]

Love the sky and the backlighting. Nice sharp eye. Seeing some issues in the sky above right and a spot to the direct right of the bird. Wish for a better pose on the wings.

[Matthew Studebaker]

Snowys are so fantastic when back-lit. I love it.

[Sandy Witvoet]

This works for me .... Color and comp are FAB.... Great feeling. The only (really TINY) thing... wish the left wing was extended JUST a bit more. Great capture. I would be proud to display this image in my home.