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Avian Moderator
David, super close up look at this beauty. Funny, here Red Tails are everywhere but if we saw a Red Shoulder, I feel like people would flock to see it lol...
So yeah, gorgeous detail, contrast and exp. Like that it's sharp throughout. Do you see the chromatic aberration in the darker patch between the eye and beak?
The big nit for me, likely others, is the bkg. I think if you could blend the branch a little on the left, maybe clone out the sky coming through on the left and brush a little at top that could make a big impact. Purists won't like it, but doesn't bother me a bit. Heck, maybe others wont' care.
Otherwise, possibly could go 5x4 and give a little more room looking left.
Nice change of pace, tfs!
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BPN Member
Nice tight portrait. BG doesn't bother me except the bright patch to the right which I would get rid of.
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Awesome detail in this portrait! Love the head turn and exposure on the bird is spot on. Did you already try to darken the BG some? It seems like I am seeing some artifacts from burning or reducing the BG exposure? I also wish the bright spot just tot he right of the head was gone. Still nice work on the bird!!
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Originally Posted by
Kurt Bowman
Awesome detail in this portrait! Love the head turn and exposure on the bird is spot on. Did you already try to darken the BG some? It seems like I am seeing some artifacts from burning or reducing the BG exposure? I also wish the bright spot just tot he right of the head was gone. Still nice work on the bird!!
First, thanks to all for valued feedback and help. Yes Kurt, all I did, besides one round of NR, was burn (or over-burn, should I say
) some bright spots. Since I was so close, I thought this crop, though tight, went with a close portrait. This is full frame from horizontal, top to bottom. And, Brian, I can not see, for the life of me, that chromatic aberration you mentioned, I am sure because of my color problem. Can you be more specific so I can look out in the future? Thanks again to all for very valued help.
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Beauty of a head shot David, would prefer a tighter crop so that BG would be minimized... TFS
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Super Moderator
Talk about getting close! Most raptors here flee from pretty far away. Good details - I love the neck and upper chest feathers. Good colours. Yes, that BG is a tough one, not much you could have done in-camera except move around if the hawk was cooperative enough to let you move to see if other angles provided cleaner stuff. Must have been an exciting encounter, especially that it is your favorite hawk!
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Originally Posted by
Daniel Cadieux
Talk about getting close! Most raptors here flee from pretty far away. Good details - I love the neck and upper chest feathers. Good colours. Yes, that BG is a tough one, not much you could have done in-camera except move around if the hawk was cooperative enough to let you move to see if other angles provided cleaner stuff. Must have been an exciting encounter, especially that it is your favorite hawk!
They are just as hard here!!!! So, funny story. This was a trail in deep woods and to the right was a small creek with a bridge which had waist deep wooden slat railing. Saw this beauty uncharacteristically perched at eye level on other side just before getting on bridge took some longer range images just over the railing as I crawled over bridge. This was a mature hawk and wasn't on prey (thus difficult situation). When I got within 2 meters stopped, took off lens hood and stuck my rig between slats without hitting edges. This is from my last and closest attempt as I laid on the trigger soon as it acquired eye. The funny part, knew I had no time as another photographer with top notch gear came walking up the trail, saw me, saw the hawk and still proceeded at pace standing straight up across the bridge to get an image. Obviously didn't know hawks well. The new photographer cussed and spit as this beauty flew away. I just shook my head and chortled to myself while smiling at my new photographer friend. Only got this close once before and that was a very young, immature hawk...
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BPN Member
Very nice David....The detail on the bird looks real good...BG already mentioned....Well done on getting so close to this beauty, must have been a great feeling...
Will
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Love the eye on this one David! My only close encounter was at Paynes Prairie State Park in your state but back then I only had a three megapixel camera. Issues mentioned but still a treat when you get this close. Well done David.
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Super Moderator
Originally Posted by
David Roach
They are just as hard here!!!! So, funny story. This was a trail in deep woods and to the right was a small creek with a bridge which had waist deep wooden slat railing. Saw this beauty uncharacteristically perched at eye level on other side just before getting on bridge took some longer range images just over the railing as I crawled over bridge. This was a mature hawk and wasn't on prey (thus difficult situation). When I got within 2 meters stopped, took off lens hood and stuck my rig between slats without hitting edges. This is from my last and closest attempt as I laid on the trigger soon as it acquired eye. The funny part, knew I had no time as another photographer with top notch gear came walking up the trail, saw me, saw the hawk and still proceeded at pace standing straight up across the bridge to get an image. Obviously didn't know hawks well. The new photographer cussed and spit as this beauty flew away. I just shook my head and chortled to myself while smiling at my new photographer friend. Only got this close once before and that was a very young, immature hawk...
I love the story David, thanks for sharing it!
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Yeah, that's a hella close and highly detailed view! Must have been quite a thrill. I also appreciate the creativity to capture the image. I would think about cloning out the small slice of blue to the right of the face. It kinda competes with the bird's
eye for our attention.
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Originally Posted by
Jim Crosswell
Love the eye on this one David! My only close encounter was at Paynes Prairie State Park in your state but back then I only had a three megapixel camera. Issues mentioned but still a treat when you get this close. Well done David.
Yes, I believe we met at Paynes Prairie many moons ago... Three of my kids went to UF so I know it well. If my memory serves, and you've mentioned before, we got hooked on nature photography with the same bridge camera...
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