Barred Owl in Snow

[Anthony Barsotti]

Here's one from a few weeks back during our last snowfall in Baltimore. Shot with my Canon 1DX and 600mm f/4 IS II at ISO 640, f/4, 1/500sec. Tweaked shadows, exposure, sharpening and NR in Photoshop, about a 60% crop for better composition.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I lik ethe natural framework to the owl and the owl is clearly delineated against the snowy background. The silky - soft breast feathers look well detailed, I really like this image.

[David Roach]

Yeah to what Jonathon said. Really love this canvas. TFS

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nicely done, Tony. I like the image a lot. There are Barred Owls here but not the snow, it certainly adds another dimension. Thank you for sharing.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the wintry scene, and good sharpness on the owl. Just enough snow falling. Though placement of the branches: moving to your right to separate the branch from the owl would then have the BG one touching behind the head. I like the comp here. Depending on what was outside the frame taking a few in-camera verticals may have also bee a good idea. Good stuff!

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Anthony, Thanks a stack for your membership support and welcome. Perfect suggestion by Dan to eliminate the merge of the one branch with the bird's body. Also, consider placing the subject off-center with your horizontal compositions.

with love, artie

[Anthony Barsotti]

Thanks everyone, glad you liked it! Regarding the branch, I tried for a different composition by moving to the right but then there was a tree to my right that blocked the shot even more. Tried moving up but the other owl was perched pretty close to where I would have moved to and didn’t want to flush it or stress it out. I might try cloning it out again, the problem I had with my first attempt is that if you look closely there’s ice hanging off it that intersects the bird which made cloning a bit trickier than usual. I’ll try a different crop too though with it more off center, thanks for all the helpful feedback!

[John Mack]

Looks good for the crop. Like the snow and the overall setting.

[Dorian Anderson]

Very nice winter result with great eye contact and bonus falling snow! Yeah, that stumpy branch is a bummer, but you did what you could in the field to avoid it. You worked with what you had. I think the darks/contrast need a slight bump.