Cold Winters Evening
Im using you knowledgeable folks as a means to determine the viability of certain recent images from Ottawa that I am on the fence with. I figure anyone can post their best stuff but I would rather use you guys as a sounding board on the iffy ones.
What are your opinions with this image as presented or would you crop right below the trees? Is it a keeper or toss it altogether ? My feelings cant be hurt so dont pull any punches whenever I post.
MLKIII, 1/250,f/9,ISO 800, 73mm
Mike,
If it were mine, I would ask myself if the treeline adds to the image. IMO, it does not. I think this would be nicer as a wider shot. Taking maybe even a little off the bottom too.
I think, in general, the image is a bit flat. While the owl is the clear subject, he blends in too much with the rest of the image. I would attribute this to the flat light.
Just my thoughts.
Miguel
Hi MIke,
I have looked at this for quite a while and I very much like the environmental aspect of the shot. It really shows where these GGO's hang out.
I would crop a bit off the bottom.
I tried the crop below the trees and it really changes the feel of the image from warm to cool.I prefer warm.
My first thought when I saw this was this would be awesome if shot for HDR. I don't suppose you shot at -1/3 and +1/3 from these settings? It would be nice to have more light on the GGO and I don't feel comfortable in flashing owls so shooting to expose the owl at +1/3 or +2/3 would have been great.
I would selectively reduce the exposure on the sky to bring out the colors and increase the exposure on the GGO.
I think this is a keeper with some tweaks,
Gail
This is a keeper all day long for me. I love the environmental feel and all of the different elements of the environment. I would take a sliver off of the right side up to remove the very thn grass but keep the larger one and then a little heavier crop off of the bottom. Love the light shining through all the trees. I am okay with the exposure on the GGO where it is b/c it is sunset or just after.
MIKE:
A keeper for sure. Before looking at other folks comments, I was going to suggest a neutral density gradient over the top to darken the sky and show a little more detail there. This will also make the owl appear brighter, but as has been mentioned, I would lighten the owl just a bit selectively, crop a bit off bottom and right. I did a version with those changes when you first posted your image, and liked the result. I use Color Efex Detail extractor over the owl to make him pop just a bit from the foreground.
For me I would def. leave the sky.
Cheers
Randy
beautiful image, loved the magic atmosphere.
Randy if you havent deleted it would you post your version please ?Originally Posted by Randy Stout
Cheers
Most definitely a keeper, Mike, and I like it a lot. I would definitely keep the sky and the trees.
I love the habitat, the bird placement. The bird shows a blue cast on my monitor, but I haven't seen this bird so take it fwiw.
Magnificent GGO scape. Great environment, both warm and cool.Love the frame.
Definitely keeper.
Regards,
Satish.
Hi Mike, I tried a few sunset images like this too recently...some that I like and may post. The sky should definitely remain here, but it could be toned down. I would crop away about half the FG, and not sharpen the cattails. I imagine you were with Marc...next time you are up here we may just cross paths!
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