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Thread: Sharp-shinned hawk portrait

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Default Sharp-shinned hawk portrait

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    Happy New Year to all! I wish health, happiness and many shutter clicks to all of you this year.
    I have been muddling my way through setting up my new iMac 27" with 1 TB SSD and I am loving it.Thank you Santa! The SSD is so fast it makes my head spin.
    I also purchased Neat Image noise reduction program and am still using the beginner mode as I learn how to use it.
    Please forgive any processing issues as I have to relearn sharpening for these bigger images as well- but be brutally honest so that I can improve my new workflow.
    This sharpie landed on our deck railing December 27, 2018. He was so close I could only manage tight portraits.
    ISO 1600 SS 1/640 F 8.0
    Canon 1 DX and 600mm
    Pretty much straight out of the box.Taken on cloudy day.
    I used Neat image on the BG only. Nothing added or cloned.
    Crop to 2800 px as a 1 x 1
    Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
    Gail

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    Looks pretty good on my end Gail. Maybe the feathers around the eye seem a touch over sharpened? Not sure really as I don't see too many mega close ups like this. I do wish the head was facing us a touch more.

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    Happy New Year to you Gail. And congratulations on the new gear. This is a great way to start the year. Lovely colors, and sharpness looks just right to me. Colors of the Sharpie are lovely, and the BG color sets him off nicely. Well done.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    I took about 355 images of this guy as he sat on the railing x 5 minutes. I have every HA possible. Here is a better HA for you Isaac! I also backed off on sharpening slightly.
    About 75% FF

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    sharpening looks better to me. But now I wish that the beak was clear of the body And I envy that great background in your yard. I have a Coopers Hawk, a Sharp-shined Hawk, a Red-tail and a Red-shouldered that have been frequenting my yard this winter. Coming for the birds at the feeders. But I have no nice backgrounds and can not get a shot of them that does not include my neighbors white fence!!!

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Thats just not fair having these in your back garden (now exit grumpy mode!). Both are nice shots, but on my old HS moi tor the first looked a little oversharpened, the second looks better. Still, I think whilst we're all transitioning between the 2 types of monitor we're going to see things on our screens that people in the 'other camp' won't, so you just have to go with what looks good on your setup.

    Personally I prefer the head angle on the OP, although with the line of light the bird is giving it does give the impression that a couple of degrees more towards us might work a bit better. I wonder if we'll ever be satisfied!

    Mike

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    What a wonderful visitor and both images are well done. I especially like the details throughout and the gorgeous red/orange iris popping with the yellow eye ring. Hope he or she found itself a meal, life is tough out there for birds. I think less sharpening did the trick, as the OP was slightly by a smidge crunchy.

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    I like the second post composition wise. The details look great. Love that red eye. New computer sounds fancy and fast have fun with that.

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    Beautiful portrait Gail! I like the details, red eye, composition and BG. I like the OP over the RP for the head angle.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Gail, wishing you and Elwood a Happy 2019 too. What a treat to have this subject perch close by, as you captured the 355 images from your rocking chair. . Excellent IQ, and I like the soft light. I really like the close up feather detail, tack sharp, and a great view of his beak. Killer smooth BG too.

    Congrats, and good luck with your new setup.

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Beautiful adult you captured Gail and your techs look spot on to me. That red eye is really something special at this range and the details are really captivating. I prefer the OP as I like the HA better and the more vertical comp. Great portrait Gail and Happy New Year
    Come join me for a Custom Raptor Workshop starting this November 2019- January 2020.
    P.M. me to inquire on dates, pricing and availabilities. Thank You.
    www.davidsalemphotography.com

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    Amazing shots.. To get this close is awesome.

    I like the head angle for the second image.

    Congratulations on Neat Image. It will definitely help on Noise Reduction. The best with out any doubt.

    Wait till you get to advanced mode ...

    TFS

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    Beautiful individual, nice light and super detail. I like both images, but the original is the winner for me. TFS

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