Something different?

[Steve Kaluski]

As I said last year, I like to try new things and push areas, makes it more fun, creative (at times and prevents you getting a bit stale) and when it does work...

OK, talons clipped, not ideal, but you have to take the shot in a 'nano' second and the judgement call may not always be spot on. Lighting is natural from the hay bale which has it's pluses & negatives, likewise focusing. Yes it's not the greatest, but I like the outstretched curved wings, the motion blurring as the owl heads off.

It took several days to workout positioning and where the adults like to head for, then it's trial & error, especially with lighting, exposure and that final moment, but hey...

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua) Adult taking off
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 16-35f/2.8 MKII with some other tech bits
Exposure: 1/3200s at f/8 ISO1000
Original format: Portrait, slight crop
Processed via: LRCC (2015) & PSCC 2015

Note: The subject is fully wild and completely unconstrained. Besides the potential impact of my presence, nothing has been done to intentionally alter or affect the ongoing behavior of the subject and, of course, there has been no use of any form of bait or other form of wildlife attractants (including vocalisations) in the capture of this image.

[Ritesh Nangare]

what a shot ..... love the take off here ....

TFS...

[Jonathan Ashton]

A great idea, and not far off either! I can imagine how rewarding - and frustrating setting up a capture like this can be, it's a bit like flight shots of passerines, I bet you get many almost there and very few that you are entirely happy with.
I'd say it is something very worthwhile persevering with - good luck.
Returning to the image I would say the exposure is good though possibly the area above the straw could be a tad brighter and at the risk of being obvious I would try if at all possible to get the lens a little further away.

[keith mitchell]

Full facial does make life easier when trying to get effect Steve,think it's great that you try these different shots even though you must have some very frustrating times, but a lot of satisfaction when all goes well .Tiny little head turn would be icing on the cake.

Keith.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Certainly different that's for sure! I love the background, shrubs, clouds, tree...very appealing. My favorite part though is the far wing swooping up and over the viewer, very cool. I suppose a better head angle would have been the icing on the cake but as a whole the image works fine, talons clipped and all. The only improvement I could see is trimming the immediate FG to just above the darker area as it pulls the eye (at least mine), oh, and perhaps lighten the eye's iris. Lots to study and take in here!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, great choice of lens for this type of shot and its works well - in your face. I like how the Owl is spread across the frame, and how he is just above the hay. I would maybe crop up from the bottom a touch to 'take away' the hay that is in shadow.

[Steve Kaluski]

How about something like this, going 10x8 FF on width, less below?

Steve

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Ritesh.

I would try if at all possible to get the lens a little further away.

Jon, the light as you know is so changeable, yes I can change things after a quick view, but I have to base it on the Histogram, fine tuning I guess would be through PP. If I move the lens further away you will not get the dramatic look, plus you have to build up confidence with the subject. Think I might haggle Canon for a lone of a 5DMKIII because of the SS noise setting.

If the opportunity presents itself this year I do have another option which could be rather funky????

Tiny little head turn would be icing on the cake.

Indeed Keith, but no agreed flight plan or runway sadly.

Cheers Dan & Stu, just trying to stretch things from the norm, certainly frustrating at times, especially when things are oh so close. Dan there isn't much to slightly lighten on the eye, it's just too much in shadow I feel. I did however up the Temp too on the RP. Dan, if you have any bright ideas on set-up/techs would welcome any thoughts in moving things on, just PM me.

Steve

[William Dickson]

Definitely something different, and I like it. Brilliant depth, quite 3D looking.

Well done Steve

Will

[Lorant Voros]

I like different. I like the feel of it, to be so close as part of the world of the bird. The observer feels like an ant. Cool stuff.

[Steve Kaluski]

The observer feels like an ant. Cool stuff.

Cheers Will & Lorant, nice analogy Lorant.