Colour temperature

[Tim Harding]

Nikon D7100 300mm F4 x1.4TC
1/1250 @F/6.3 +1/3EV ISO 400

RAW capture sharpening in LR5
Highlights slider backed off to -81, cropped for aspect ratio on PS, Topaz DeNoise on background, unsharp mask on bird.

This was shot right at sunset which gave a very warm colour to the owl. I wanted the whiteness of the owl's face to stand out so I backed off the colour temp to 4381K. There was also a strong blue reflection of the sky on her shoulder, head and wing that I backed off a bit with a photo filter adjustment layer and mask in PS.

I'm wondering if I should have left the 'golden light' on the subject as shot?

[Diane Miller]

Spectacular shot!!

The color temp is such a thing of choice. The temp that comes up in LR / ACR and many other (all?) raw converters is merely the one that came from the camera, either as a preset or an auto guess. Although auto is often good, it can be inaccurate in a subject with limited colors. A lot of people think there is something special about it -- they see it and think it's accurate.

I think it's good to experiment with different settings, but as long as there is no obvious color cast, it's just a choice. In this case, the bird is striking and I like seeing it as white, but you could certainly have a warmer-light version also.

How's that for being helpful? I'm sure others will offer opinions!

As to the image, if you have more room, I think I'd like to see a loser composition, with a little more of the post and a little more room on the sides. But that's a small criticism!

[Randall Farhy]

Agree, this image really is something special. Color balance should look natural for the setting if that helps- to me, long shadows and soft light usually implies a warmer view, whereas short shadows, increased contrast would imply a slightly cooler approach, as might a winter scene-here something in between seems ideal. Again, it's all subjective as long as the final image "feels" right. This version is +5Y -2R in LR5-

[Tim Harding]

Thanks for your input.

That's all of the post that I got. The image is FF height, and I just resized for 8x10 to print. I could add more room to the sides to make a more square image.

[Diane Miller]

Amazing to get that close! Was it planning to eat YOU?

For me it would feel a little more relaxed with a bit more on the sides, but these things are always subject to a range of opinions, and sometimes the constraint of a desired aspect ratio.

[Tim Harding]

She sat on this fencepost for over an hour while I stood behind a snowbank 15 feet way. I know she saw me but it didn't seem to faze her at all. She was constantly scanning for prey and it is amazing how high up their neck can stretch when they think they see something of interest off in the distance.

[David Salem]

We have seen a ton of Snowy images this year but I must say this is a very sweet and unique one. I think its great! Love the look in the mouth and the look at the talons. Techs and detail looks great too.
Post this in Avian!!

[Steve Kaluski]

I'm wondering if I should have left the 'golden light' on the subject as shot?

So why not post the image with the 'Golden light' for comparison?

[Tim Harding]

Here is the original unretouched capture (same crop)

So why not post the image with the 'Golden light' for comparison?

[Diane Miller]

Definitely not too extreme, for my tastes. (Sometimes an "as captured" looks overdone to me, even for my own shots.) I think you have an artist's choice here!

[Steve Kaluski]

To me Tim the RP conveys the nice warm light and original setting, plus the tones within the overall image work well and dovetail nicely.

[Randall Farhy]

Agree that the warmth on the RP is fine, however the shadow areas are starting to look a little too blue. (left shoulder and side, right edge of head)-a local brush could be used to tone them down.

[Arthur Morris]

Yes to killer image. I much prefer the color of the original post to the color of the image in Pane #9. Nice job by Randall in Pane 3 also.

The only problem that I have with the image is the horizon line through the head....

[kevin Hice]

My question Artie is where would you prefer to see the horizon line?

[Tim Harding]

Artie - Is that something you would fix in post, or be aware of before pressing the shutter button?

[Don Lacy]

My question Artie is where would you prefer to see the horizon line?

Not sure about Artie but I would prefer it above the head or below the perch. Paying attention to the BG and how it affects the image is something you have to be constantly aware of simply moving the camera up or down a few inches can make all the difference.

[Diane Miller]

And add to that, use the DOF preview to see the final appearance better.

[Arthur Morris]

My question Artie is where would you prefer to see the horizon line?

Even though the transition line is soft, it would have--as Don Lacy said, have been better either above the head or, below the feet. Sometimes you simply cannot get around the problem such as when you are working from inside your vehicle.....

[Arthur Morris]

Artie - Is that something you would fix in post, or be aware of before pressing the shutter button?

Yes, but only 100% of the time. As I said in another comment, it is one of the most challenging problems that we face and we often have to face it many times in a single session depending on the situation(s) at hand....

Choosing your perspective is a hugely important part of nature photography that must be considered every time you get ready to press the shutter button (unless you are reacting to unexpected action.) And what influences our choice of perspective? Several factors with either light angle or BKGR being the two most important.

[Hazel Grant]

I understand, I think, your thoughts about the bkgd line but then another way to see it is that the fantastic catch of the open mouth and nearly crossed eyes would not stand out as much were the bkgd all the same as the lower part.

[Tim Harding]

Fascinating discussions! I'm soaking it all in...