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Thread: American Kestrel Portrait

  1. #1
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    Default American Kestrel Portrait

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    Was driving through a wildlife refuge and this Kestrel was perched on a sign right next to the road. He was actually perched on the wildlife refuge sign. That is why i created a portrait out of it so i could exclude the sign. Processed in Photoshop with a few adjustment layers and some dodging and burning. Minimal cropping just to create square crop and level out a bit. Let me know what you think can be improved. This is my second post here and i am looking to improve my bird photography. Just picked up a D500 but have not had a chance to get out with it yet.

    Nikon D7200
    Sigma 150-600 C
    600mm
    F6.3
    1/640th
    ISO 450

    Thanks
    Ryan

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Ryan:

    Nice job. Soft light, nice details, blood on beak, intense stare, all good.

    I would recommend posting no larger than 1600 horizontally or 1400 vertically, as your 1920x1920 image is so large that you have to scroll to see the whole image, even on a 27" monitor.

    A bit more depth of field would have been nice for the bill. Once you get a couple good frames, then start changing your settings. In this case, I would have traded a bit of ISO for another f/stop to get more DOF. Another thing that is often helpful is try a least a couple shots with the focus point in a different spots. Obviously the eyes need to be sharp, but with a pose like this, often it is helpful to focus just anterior of the eyes, such as at the base of the bill, to try and get both eyes and beak tip sharp.

    You will really like the D500, an excellent action camera.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    A beautiful portrait, and it must have been a great experience. I can never get close to them where I live. Good suggestions from Randy. I love the depth and reflection in the eyes.

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    I'm with Bill and Randy on this one. It is an awesome experience to get this close. Very nice portrait.

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    My buddy Ryan,
    What a great subject... and the eyes are really good, alive!!
    Post smaller next time as recommended.
    Excellent Raptor close up.
    Dan Kearl

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Great subject! Mu heart would be pounding out of my chest to have such a close encounter with one of these lol. Looks like it just finished a fresh meal too. Sharp where it counts, but yes for tight portraits it is one of my exceptions in stopping down for more dof (I usually normally just leave it wide open, or close to it). Great BG. Good advice by Randy, especially with cooperative subjects.

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    Lifetime Member Colin Driscoll's Avatar
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    Fabulous shot! Our Australian Kestrels are also near impossible to get close to.

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    WOW amazing close up of this raptor. Super details and sharpness. Nice clean BG.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Super shot, I also agree a little more DOF would have been ideal but the eyes are good. I find it good practice to get the initial shot in the bag and if time permits go for the lateral settings to optimise DOF and/or sharpness.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    What a great portrait.
    Great details and light.The issue is the lack of DOF and the loss of sharpness on the bill. F 10 with the focus point on the nares would have made this good shot GREAT!
    I agree with Jonathan's advice.
    Would love to have an opportunity to get close like this,
    Gail

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    Thank you very much to everyone that responded. Great suggestions on what i can do different in the future. especially posting a little smaller image.

    Thanks again
    Ryan

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    Soild portrait. Killer background. I like the crop and the framing. Looks like it just had a meal.

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    love the look, wish for more DOF, lots of good advice above

    TFS
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