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Thread: Barred Owl Perched

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    Lifetime Member Ashleigh Scully's Avatar
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    Default Barred Owl Perched

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    Hi -

    Dad's posting again. Ashleigh hopes to be online tonight to review any feedback and do some critiquing of her own!

    Barred Owl, Lake Blue Cypress, Vero Beach FL. What a beautiful place.

    Canon EOS 7d, Canon 100-400; 400mm (ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/1000)

    About a 10% crop, mainly for composition, as the bird was centered in the original. Some minor clone-stamping of some bright spots to the left of the owl. She feels that she could've left more room at top and bottom.

    A call was used.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Ashleigh,
    Welcome to BPN!
    This is pretty impressive stuff for an 11 year old young woman. There are lots of 50 year olds ( me included) out there who wish they could get a nice shot like this.
    A couple of suggestions. You could have increased the exposure by a good 2/3 stop. Do you shoot in Manual or Aperture Priority?
    Because the BG is so bright the camera wants to help you by toning down the whole image (ie decrease exposure by using faster SS if in AV), but we, as photographers, want the bird to be more brightly exposed. So you have to tell the camera you want to overexpose the picture so that you get the correct exposure on the owl. The BG will be brighter but that can be dealt with in post processing. There is a mantra amongst photographers that says "expose to the right" ETTL. So we want our histogram to have most of the data in the right 4th and 5th box with no blinkies on the bird.
    The owl is nice and sharp and I like how he is gazing downwards. His ruffled neck feathers look really neat. Your composition is good as well
    I would agree with you that a bit more room top and bottom would be nice but not a deal breaker.
    Keep them coming !
    Gail

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    BPN Member Sandy Witvoet's Avatar
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    Incredible shot, Ashleigh! Love the face and overall pose. I agree with you... a tiny bit more room (especially at the top) might help? Also, maybe that little white "blob" just off the owl's left shoulder could be toned down or cloned out a bit? Also love the ruffled neck feathers! (or maybe he just had a good meal and is realy to provide you with some "yummy" owl pellets?!) I, too, am just a "bit" older than you, but would LOVE to get an Owl image like this! Oh, do like how you gave him space to the left corner to "look in to"... Owls are always "looking!"

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    Ashley, lovely shot. The owl is sharp and the background is beautiful. The owl left eye/face is a bit dark, but Gail already gave you suggestion for increasing the exposure by 2/3 EV and that should take care of that. You already knew about more room at top and bottom. I had the Canon 100-400 as a starter lens and knew it is not the easiest lens to use, so this is a really good effort regardless how old (or young) you are!

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    With a minimal crop and the low ISO, you could easily tone down the bright leaves in the BG and lighten the Owl without
    introducing noise.
    There is a faint catchlight in both eyes, easy to brighten it without looking manipulative.
    It is a nice image, a bit more PP work could make it shine.
    Work on it and repost it if you would like, I would like to see what you can do!
    Dan Kearl

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    nice capture Ashley,like thepose and perch,agree with Gails comments,well done.

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    Very nicely done! Great opportunity and well executed. Good critique from Gail. I might also consider toning down the brightness of the perch. Hoping to see more of your work.

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    Lifetime Member Ashleigh Scully's Avatar
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    Hi, it's Ashleigh. Thank you all for your feedback.

    I will try to make some edits to this image based on your suggestions this weekend, including lightening the owl and toning down the green background. I will also try to fix the bright branch.

    I will post some more pictures soon.

    Bye!

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    Very cool bird, love the talons and habitat, thanks for sharing.

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