Tropical Screech-Owl

[Ramon M. Casares]

Hi there today I would like to share with you this shot, I really love these little guys as they are very inquisitive and curious and at some level, very good posing hehe, I took this shot in a trip to EL PALMAR, a natural reserve in Argentina, this is actually the first shoot with my 20D!

20D - 70-200mm 2.8 - Canon Flash 58o

Tv 1/125
Av f/10
Iso 100
Raw

Enjoy and thank you all for you comments and advice!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Ramon,
Still deciding on the black BG.......although it can happen..........looks flashed in this instance. Would have preferred if the owls head was turned slightly at us also.

[Arthur Morris]

Ramon, I like it. Was it indeed photographed at night??? It would seem so. If yes, how did you focus? In any case, the flash on the bird is perfect. Did you need to fix the red eye or eye shine?

[Ramon M. Casares]

Arthur thank you and yes, it was shot at night, I could focused because i also had a torchlight and my lens is very good to focus with very very little light, and yes again, I fixed the red eye, I also took away some branches, in this case, for me it was imposible to get a different BG than this black one, but I like it as is an Owl picture :)
Thanks for your quiestions and comments!!!!!

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Ramon, As a night image, I am fine with the black BKGR. I would eliminate that last extra branch. Lastly, if you can find this bird regularly you might want to try this: Bring a friend with a 2nd flash mounted in some way atop an extra tripod or a light stand or something. Set the flashes the same. Have the friend hold the flash somewhere above the owl (without scaring it away). Now make and image and then check the EXP. Does anyone have any idea why this would improve the image???

[Ramon M. Casares]

That way, with another flash fired from behind, the bird and branch would get separated from the black BG?

[Arthur Morris]

No. You need a flash from above the bird so that the top of its head and back do not disappear into shadow.... Good luck!

[Ramon M. Casares]

But with a flash from behind the bird, wouldn't I get that same result plus a nice "moonlight" lightning? Please correct me if I am wrong, all this onfo and advice is very welcome and apreciated!! Thanks!

[Arthur Morris]

Unless the flash from the rear is very, very high, well above the bird, the top of the head and back would still be in shadow... Not sure about the moonlighting... Hey, you could try it both ways or use three flashes.

[Ramon M. Casares]

As soon as I have the chance I will try and post the results here! Thank you very much Arthur, I apreciate your good will!! Have a nice day!

[Arthur Morris]

You are most welcome. Just don't hit the bird over the head with the flash by accident! Good luck.

[Ramon M. Casares]

hahaha... I'll try not to! Have a great day!

[Arthur Morris]

One last note: you will have to set the off camera flash(es) to the slave setting.