High Key Lesser Kestrel

[shane shacaluga]

Went for lunch to a castle up a mountain this weekend and luckily i took my camera with me

There was a pair of lesser kestrels nesting in one of the top towers and they were hanging about in the wind close to the castle walls

There were many tourist visiting the castle so they didnt get a close as I wanted so had to crop this one about 50%. Would have liked for a better background but it was either the castle wall or the sky

It was slightly cloudy so knew there would be no bright spots on the bird which let me push the ETTR to the limit of what i thought I could claw back in processing

D800e
200-500 at 500mm
f5.6
1/2500
ISO 1250

-0.35EV in ACR. Levels and selective sharpening on the subject. An extra round of selective sharpening done just on the head

Comments and critiques welcome

[Bill Dix]

Good thing you took the camera, indeed. A great banking pose with full wing spread and fanned tail, and a terrific look at you. Very nice as posted, but for my personal taste I'm thinking a bit of Tonal Contrast, or some saturation, and maybe another round of sharpening, could make it pop more.

[keith mitchell]

Shane I like the way you have captured this cracking little Falcon,would certainly think about a little sharpening,very well caught.

Keith.

[shane shacaluga]

Thanks guys

Will see if I can push the midtones a bit more and do one more round of sharpening

[shane shacaluga]

Gave it another try with some more sharpening

For some reason the cere and talons look more yellow that the OP

Is this any better?

[keith mitchell]

Shane I think the repost is certainly an improvement (For some reason the cere and talons look more yellow that the OP) these look fine to me.

Keith.