Here's one more that I rediscovered in my unprocessed files from two years ago. This is the same species as my last post, but a different individual from a different part of Cuba. Conditions were tough, which is probably why I didn't process this originally. Tropical forest with light coming through in spots left some white sky areas that I painted in; and I cloned out some bg branches. The IQ is reflective of the high ISO. Not to mention the steep angle and large perch. Still, it is an owl shot, which for me are few and far between. And an endemic species to boot.
D7000, 80-400VR @ 400, ISO 3200, 1/400s @ f/7.1 manual; fill flash @ +0.3.
We get all crazy over all the criticisms that you brought up in your self-critique. I think that your last two sentences are the important one. I'm not crazy about the flashed look that I see in the eyes.
Hi Bill. Your self appraisal says it all. I think I prefer this to the others. I like the smidgeon of BG detail. It is a flash shot as you say. I used to do all my stuff at pools with flash and tried very hard to reduce it in PP. It never worked though things have moved on a bit theseays . I think even removing the eye catchlights might help. Still good enough for me anyway.
Cheers
John
Lovely image of the owl Bill Lovely and sharp and i like the expression on the face. Wished the perch was a wee bit thinner. Good work and thanks for sharing
Thanks everyone. The flash catchlights do give him a bit of deer-in-the-headlights look. I tried a version without any catchlights, and it looked strangely blank. Here's a repost with the flash catchlights removed and softer catchlights added in a different spot. Not sure if it's any better, but curious to know what you think.
Bill I admire your self critique ,I think the OP looks pretty good to me and do not have a problem with the catchlites but not so keen on the repost, we all strive for the best ,this would certainly be good for me.