Rabbit, What rabbit?

[Grace Scalzo]

Going through some very old files this evening and processed this one. I had only just begun my avian photography journey in 2007 when this was taken. A young red-tailed hawk took up residence for the end of a summer in a park near my home. In this image, she was just finishing her meal of rabbit that she killed herself and paused to look around at the many people watching her. I could always find her, morning and evening. Then she was gone. I often wonder what happened to her.

1/200, f 5.6, iso400
Canon mk2n, 500f4 + lowered tripod

[Kirk Benson]

Beautiful portrait of this RTH Grace... detail is wonderful, and the bits of blood and rabbit is a very cool element. Composition is well done with a nice BG and I even like the foliage in lower right corner.
My only suggestion is that the overall image looks on the cool side, and I would be tempted to warm the WB a bit.
I like it a lot Grace, well done.

[Grace Scalzo]

Keith, I had to laugh. I posted this in the hopes that someone commented on the color. It was off and I couldn't see what was wrong. Is this better? Many thanks for your input.

[Kirk Benson]

Yes, that looks better Grace... I'd be tempted to boost the color now a bit more.

Kirk (not Keith)

[Grace Scalzo]

I apologize, Kirk! You mean with saturation? I think that my head is stuck here as the sun had set so colors were not warm, maybe that's what's giving me trouble.

[Kirk Benson]

I apologize, Kirk! You mean with saturation? I think that my head is stuck here as the sun had set so colors were not warm, maybe that's what's giving me trouble.

Play with the WB and see what you like, you don't want to go too warm but I think the repost can be warmed up a bit more and still look natural. Then add some more saturation until the color looks richer without going too far.

Kirk

[Jack Breakfast]

That is a nice look at a festive bird. The background is better than pleasing. I would be delighted to see the uncropped original, but if you asked the same of me, I'm not sure I'd oblige. What to do?

[Grace Scalzo]

Jack, I'm not going to post the uncropped original because that means I'd have to start over. I'll tell you what I did to the bg tho. On the left side as viewed, I removed via quick mask technique a couple pieces of a yucca plant. (Near the bottom) . On the top, there was a spotch of red which I cloned out. Then I selected the background and ran noise reduction on it. Not being pleased with it as it looked grainy to me, I did a very slight surface blur at very minor settings. Hope that is sufficient for you.

[Jack Breakfast]

Grace, that is not only sufficient but downright generous. Many thanks!

[Raybel Robles]

Hi Grace,

Nice image. Sharp with nice details. I too think the image was a bit in the cool side and gave it a go in PS to remove the blue cast. Hope you dont mind.

[Marina Scarr]

I think Raybel hit the nail on the head. The OP was a bit flat and this last version works extremely well. Great details and the vegetation is a nice touch.

[arash_hazeghi]

Very nice portrait Grace, I removed the color cast

red-tail feathers have a rusty look for this juvenile bird.

[William Dickson]

Great looking image Grace. Fantastic details and sharpness on the bird. The eye is awsome. I think Arash has made it look better by removing the colour cast. Great capture. Good work.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks for all the help! This was a young bird (very brown) and the Raybel has nailed the colors. Would you please tell me how you removed the cast? Thanks again.

[Alan Murphy]

Arash just posted what was in my head...Love the show especially showing the full crop (neck pouch for storing food)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Arash's version is what I was imagining too. In PS adding some reds to the "Color Balance" often works well to get this result in removing a coolish cast (more so than adding yellows IMO). I love the full crop (not meaning the composition although i like it too, but the bulging neck).

[Diane Miller]

Very nice portrait! For evening light I think I'd go halfway between Arash's and Raybel's. Sometimes leaving a little bit of a color cast is good, if the contrast is not compromised.

The OP was too blue-cyan and the second post too green.

[arash_hazeghi]

Thanks for all the help! This was a young bird (very brown) and the Raybel has nailed the colors. Would you please tell me how you removed the cast? Thanks again.

Hi Grace you can use the color balance slider in photoshop. make sure your monitor is calibrated.

best

[David Salem]

Great-looking frame Grace and you know I love raptors so this one works for me. Beautiful looking details and I love the Pose with the crystal clear eye and the Full crop. I prefer a Arash's rendition also. Looks pretty natural to me.
Well done, hope to see you soon.

[Marina Scarr]

I generally just play with the color balance slider until it looks right to my eyes.

[annmpacheco]

Gorgeous head shot Grace from a time long ago! The change in color cast made a marvelous difference. Very intense glare and I don't see a "rabbit!"

[gail bisson]

Beautiful portrait.
Love the IQ and the full crop.
I will trust you to pick the repost that most closely matches what you saw!
Lots to learn on this thread!
gail

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll rework this one and repost in the near future, my repost will be very close to Raybel's. This was a young bird, pic was taken in the shade, and I just can't go with that red version and remain true to what she looked like.