First time posting. This is Millenium, the falcon

[Sandy Brooks]

This is my first time posting so if I miss a rule, let me know.
This is Millenium, a preregrine falcon. The picture was taken last fall at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. As an avian ambassador, he brought much joy to many. He passed away last week.
Canon 5d Mark II 210mm 1/400 f5.6 1000. Used a 100-400 lens
Since I really do not know much about post processing, this image was primarily cropped and lens corrections made in LR.

[Diane Miller]

Hi Sandy,

Welcome to BPN! I'm glad you got the posting issues resolved by becoming a Member!

This is very nice! It's so wonderful to see non-releasable birds being able to fill this role in places like this -- and the ones I've seen seem to enjoy it. I've been able to get some wonderful head-and-shoulders close-ups at bird rescue open houses. I'm sorry to hear he has passed on.

I think LR is an excellent processing engine. I assume you're shooting in raw format? When you say you're not that familiar with post processing, I'm not sure if you mean in PS, after LR, or in LR itself.

The Temp slider will let you reduce the warm tones a little (from tungsten lighting?) and the Highlights slider will let you recover some of the whites on the breast that are just blown out -- if you haven't already done that as much as possible. LR5 is much improved over LR4 in those capabilities.

[Sandy Brooks]

I am just learning lightroom. Did adjust the highlights to bring out as much detail in the breast as possible. The warm hues were the natural light---we were outside among the trees. Will try using the temp slider to tone it down a bit but it was a really bright fall day!

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Beautiful, sandy! Hindsight is always easy so I'd say a little narrower aperture would have been nice in order to get the full bird in focus but a lack of light was your determining factor here so I think you did very well exposure wise. The bird might be just a little tight in the frame all around (specially at the back) but a very nice pic regardless.

(PS: Only now saw your last post re. 'bright fall day' - your settings reflect otherwise so you must have been in the shade?)

[Sandy Brooks]

Yes, I was in the shade. Will try recropping so I give the bird more space in the frame. I am findjng I tend to crop in too tightly. Thanks