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Thread: Building the bond again

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Building the bond again

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    This year these wee guys have been constantly moving around quite a bit, hiding, but then calling to each other, so I'm not sure if there will be a broad this year or not, but we will see. Therefore, over the last few weeks and even more slowly over the last few days the confidence and trust is coming back to the point and on their own terms, they are choosing to come closer, perhaps they like the limelight? Although I'm still retaining a long lens for good reason, this morning I had to swop to the more flexible 200-400 for a few frames.

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

    Steve

    Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua)
    Location: UK
    Camera: Canon 1DX
    Lens: 500f/4 MKII & 1.4MKIII Gitzo/Uniqball head
    Exposure: 1/1600s at f/11 ISO3200 EV +1
    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.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Clean well detailed image I like it.
    Can't help but wonder about warming it up a little just to see what the effect would be (?)

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    A little beauty... love the image. Yours are greyer than mine with shorter legs. I know the sun here does bleach them as it does clothes. Thank you for sharing, Steve.
    Joe Przybyla

    "Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Steve, I like the side profile here, showing off the eye, and you have brought out the plumage so well. We have a great view of the talons, and I do like the semi high key BG. Im glad you are managing to gain their 'trust' and that you capture plenty more of these guys.

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    What a great BG which shows of the bird perfectly. Great colours Steve, and the perch is looking nice as well. Love the feather detail. I can see where Jon is coming from, warming it up a wee bit, but I know you like the 'colder' look

    TFS

    Will

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    As per others WB could do with a tweak,this is more likely to be the male as the female would be in the nest (for the last 8 days minimum) if the shot is recent ,the female will only leave the nest around twice a day and only after the male as visited the nest with food ...

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Addressing any WB issues/concerns, it was a flat, grey, overcast day, late in the afternoon, so all colours would be flat, with minimal colour and I always try to replicate the true colour, rarely is there an opportunity for heavy, saturated colour due to the timing, location and weather conditions. I also do not process my images via DPP which can/may, push colour a bit more in providing a deeper depth of colour unless you take time to adjust things IMHO. I also do not have the camera set up with any pre-sets, I want to manage the colour, not the camera, or Adobe. To me, that's for those who do not understand colour or the 'art' of PP, capturing & processing are integral and that's the joy.

    This was shot a few weeks ago, nothing for bygone days.

    Yours are greyer than mine with shorter legs.
    Joe, if I get a chance to process any from this week you will see how the light changes things, albeit going a tad harsh/bright due to the sun early in the day.

    Hi Steve, I like the side profile here, showing off the eye, and you have brought out the plumage so well. We have a great view of the talons, and I do like the semi high key BG. Im glad you are managing to gain their 'trust' and that you capture plenty more of these guys.
    Stu, judging from the quick edit there could be one or two that will have an even greater depth & detail and the 1DX just keeps delivering, as I just forget the ISO and just push both SS & DoF with no fears. A lot of hours with minimal return, unlike previous years, however it will all come together in time I'm sure.

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    Steve i read with interest the points made re making the image warmer,it's something I often ponder when maybe I have tried to photograph an Owl on say a wet dark evening and think should I try to make it a bit lighter to give a different effect to the conditions at the time.Much prefer to keep as near to the original as possible,just my personal choice of course and I'm sure others will have totally different views.Think you have captured the conditions you describe perfectly,excellent feather detail and sharpness as always.
    Keith.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Thank you Keith.

    As I have said before, IMHO a RAW file should be as flat as a pancake in terms of colour before you do anything, basically you are then not being swayed by 'Third Party' settings, so you are starting on a level playing field and not lead down a path that perhaps is not strictly true. Then you can start to 'build' your file, however, this may not suit some, but for me and it appears you too, we endeavour to present our images as close to how we think it was at time of capture. Other people I know have other thoughts and so we will all work differently to get to that final goal.

    Cheers

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    I don't mind the flat colors as it has enough contrast to give it plenty of depth. Nice and sharp throughout and a good look at the eye and the feet. You could warm it up a bit but I don't think this one will benefit from it, and it wouldn't be the way you saw it.
    Looks plenty bright enough too. Well done Steve
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Cheers David, nice to have reconfirmation of my thinking and direction.

    I hope I get time to process some from this week, as the colours will be far more 'punchy' due to the conditions, but a fairly hectic schedule over the next three weeks, plus a little something from Mr Canon I hear too.

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    This has been such an interesting thread Steve. I'm sorry I haven't chimed in earlier, but I often shoot myself in the foot with my comments. I am often torn between reality and a "nice" image. All subjective, I suppose. This image sings!

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