Black-and-White Owl (Costa Rica)

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

This one was captured last month while leading a private photo tour with a group from Seattle.
It is fun to photograph these owls as they remain motionless for several minutes and my previous experience dictate that using playback, with this particular specie, is not always a good idea, not only because the bird gets stressed out, but also
because it flies away from us...I learned the lesson long ago though.

For this one

Mark IV
600f/4@f/4
Tripod
ISO500
Flash as main light
SS1/250
No playback used
Red eyes fixed in PS.
Almost FF.

Many thanks for looking and commenting.

[Shawn Zierman]

Great use of flash. Beautiful owl. I like that you were able to achieve some interesting visuals in the background, versus an all black background. Sweet frame sir.

[Tom van den Brandt]

Beautiful owl. Well captured Juan. Good sharpness. I'm not a huge fan of using flash as a main light but sometimes you probably can't get them any other way I think.

Tom

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Juan , i am also not a fan of flash in general , if it helps , ok. Nice color and tones , BKG a bit busy . Very nice looking OWL.
TFS Andreas

[gail bisson]

Gotta love the owl.
I like the IQ and your story.
I think the flash work is as good as can be done under the circumstances. I must confess that I am not a lover flash as a main source but appreciate that this is probably the only way to get a shot of this very handsome owl,
Gail

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the pose, perch, talons, setting and flash work. I have only seen one kind of owl in Costa Rica. Excellent image Juan.

[Loi Nguyen]

Love the owl! Beautiful image. You have no choice but using flash on this one. Loi